What happens to my social security if I go on disability?

Asked by: Erwin Eichmann  |  Last update: November 28, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (66 votes)

If you are receiving SSDI benefits when you reach full retirement age, your disability benefits automatically convert to retirement benefits, but the amount remains the same.

Does being on disability affect Social Security benefits?

Social Security benefits for you and your family may be reduced if you also are eligible for workers' compensation (including payments through the black lung program). These benefits may also be reduced if you are eligible for disability benefits from certain federal, state, or local government programs.

Can you collect Social Security and disability at the same time?

Yes, however, Social Security may reduce the amount you receive for Disability Insurance benefits.

What is the average amount a person gets on disability?

Why trust us? In 2024, the maximum amount you can earn from Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is $3,822 per month (up from $3,627 in 2023). That's a nice sum, but most people won't get that much. The average SSDI benefit is only about $1,537.

Is it better to retire or go on disability?

The right decision here will depend on whether you're comfortable waiting for disability benefits. If you have some savings, and can go without working much while your application is processed — SSDI is likely a better call. If you don't have the time (or money) to spare, you may be better off retiring early.

What happens to my Social Security disability benefits when I reach retirement age?

18 related questions found

What are the disadvantages of being on disability?

What Are Some Negatives of Getting Social Security Disability?
  • Limited Income. One of the primary disadvantages of Social Security disability is the limited income it provides. ...
  • Waiting Period. ...
  • Eligibility Requirements. ...
  • Limited Work Opportunities. ...
  • Stigma and Social Isolation. ...
  • Seeking Help and Support.

What is the 5 year rule for Social Security disability?

The Social Security 5-year rule refers specifically to disability benefits. It requires that you must have worked five out of the last ten years immediately before your disability onset to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

What is the hardest state to get disability?

As of 2024, Utah is the hardest state to initially get approved for SSDI. It has an approval rating of 44.64% for first-time applicants. Who Is Eligible for Maximum Disability? A person who meets the SSA's work history and disability requirements is eligible for the maximum disability amount of $3,822 a month.

How do I get the $16728 Social Security bonus?

Specifically, a rumored $16,728 bonus that had people wondering if it was true or not in 2024? Sadly, there's no real “bonus” that retirees who receive Social Security can collect.

What illness automatically qualifies for disability?

Neurological disorders (e.g., epilepsy, benign brain tumors) Mental disorders (e.g., bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression) Cancer (malignant neoplastic diseases) Immune system disorders (e.g., HIV infection, lupus, inflammatory arthritis)

What is the highest disability check?

In 2024, the maximum Social Security disability benefit for a disabled worker receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is $3,822 per month, according to the Social Security Administration (SSA).

What happens when you turn 62 and are on disability?

Social Security disability benefits will continue to be paid at the same rate even when you reach 62. However, Social Security begins taking into account other income sources such as wages and interest when you qualify for Social Security Retirement Insurance Benefits (SSRIB).

When my husband dies, do I get his Social Security and mine?

You cannot claim your deceased spouse's benefits in addition to your own retirement benefits. Social Security only will pay one—survivor or retirement.

What pays more, Social Security or disability?

If you're comparing these two types of Social Security benefits, then you should know that typically the SSDI benefits pay more. In fact, disability in this scenario is, on average, more than double the benefits you would receive from SSI benefits.

What happens to my social security disability when I turn 65?

For most people, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) does not change when they turn 65 years old, but it will change to retirement benefits when they turn 66 or 67. They will be eligible for Medicare by or before they turn 65.

What is the most approved disability?

Overall, however, the most approved disability for Social Security is disabilities involving the musculoskeletal system and/or connective tissues. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), such conditions include arthritis, back pain, and lupus.

How to get $3000 a month of Social Security benefits?

Exactly how much in earnings do you need to get a $3,000 benefit? Well, you just need to have averaged about 70% of the taxable maximum. In our example case, that means that your earnings in 1983 were about $22,000 and increased every year to where they ended at about $100,000 at age 62.

What are the three ways you can lose your Social Security disability?

The termination of benefits in the Social Security disability program is based predominantly on four factors: conversion to the retirement program (that is, attainment of full retirement age), death, medical recovery, and work recovery.

What is the $943 Social Security payment?

If you're wondering about the amounts for these SSI checks, the SSA has set a maximum monthly amount of $943 for individuals and up to $1,415 for couples in 2024. Some states even offer additional SSI supplements, increasing the overall payment for residents of places like California and New York.

What is the easiest condition to get disability?

What Is the Most Approved Disability? Arthritis and other musculoskeletal system disabilities make up the most commonly approved conditions for social security disability benefits. This is because arthritis is so common. In the United States, over 58 million people suffer from arthritis.

How easy is it to get 100% disability?

To receive a rating of 100 percent, there must be sufficient evidence to support the severity of the service-connected condition. This can come from medical documentation as well as testimony from friends, family, co-workers, and others who can attest to the seriousness of the disability.

What disabilities are hard to prove?

Here are the Top Disabilities That Are Difficult To Prove
  • Mental Health Conditions.
  • Chronic Pain Disorders.
  • Fibromyalgia.
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
  • Autoimmune Disorders.

How long will my Social Security disability last?

Your period of disability ends on the last day of the month before the month in which you become 65 years old or, if earlier, the last day of the second month following the month in which your disability ended. (1) The month before the month in which you attain full retirement age as defined in § 404.409.

What are the new rules for Social Security disability in 2024?

As of 2024, you may stop receiving SSDI benefits if you earn over $1,550 a month. But your eligibility to receive SSI while working will depend on which state you live in. Read the publication Working While Disabled: How We Can Help [PDF, 1MB] from the Social Security Administration.

What does a disability doctor look for?

Key Things the Disability Doctor Looks for

The doctor will ask detailed questions about your disabling conditions when they first manifested, your diagnosis process, fluctuations in symptoms, and your typical day-to-day experience with pain, fatigue, mobility issues, or other impairments.