Q: Can the federal government force me to file for Social Security retirement benefits when I turn 62 if I’m currently receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits?
A: The answer is yes, but certain factors come into play that determine whether or not your SSI benefits will, in fact, be replaced by early retirement benefits when you turn 62. Keep reading to learn more about the details surrounding disability benefits and Social Security.
Who Can Receive Retirement Benefits?
It’s not uncommon for people to be confused by the differences surrounding Social Security Disability benefit programs, Social Security retirement benefits, and the eligibility requirements.
When people think about Social Security benefits, most associate them with retirement. To collect Social Security retirement benefits, you must meet the proper criteria set by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Retirement benefits are payable to individuals who have paid Social Security taxes and earned sufficient work credits throughout their lifetime. Some individuals born in 1960 or later must also wait until age 67 to receive full retirement benefits. Once you turn 65, you may also become eligible for Medicare, which provides essential health coverage for retirees and disabled individuals alike.
The earliest age you can access retirement benefits is 62. Many people defer applying for early retirement because the monthly benefits stipend grows the longer you delay accepting payments.
What Type of Benefits Do You Have?
Beyond the retirement benefits program, the federal government also offers disability benefits for people who are or become disabled. These include Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
SSDI is awarded to individuals with recent work credits who are under age 65 and suffer from a qualifying physical or mental disability. SSI, on the other hand, is a strictly needs-based program designed for individuals with qualifying disabilities who have limited income and resources. You do not need prior work history to apply for SSI, and recipients may become eligible for Medicare after receiving SSDI benefits for 24 months. The SSI program is also open to children at age 18 who meet the Social Security Administration’s disability requirements. As individuals turn 65, they may continue to receive SSI while gaining access to Medicare coverage if they remain within income limits.
Sometimes, if an SSDI applicant does not have enough recent work experience to qualify, they may qualify for SSI benefits if they meet the low-income limits.
When Does Social Security Disability Convert to Retirement Benefits?
If you don’t opt for early retirement, the age at which you start receiving Social Security retirement benefits depends on your birth year. For example, if you were born between 1943 and 1954, you will automatically start receiving full retirement benefits at age 66 (your full retirement age). This is when your SSDI benefits will switch over to retirement benefits.
What Happens to My SSI When I Turn 62?
The earliest age at which you can receive retirement benefits is 62, but these are not full retirement benefits. SSI benefits will not convert to Social Security retirement benefits when a person reaches early retirement age if they aren’t eligible to receive retirement benefits. However, once you turn 65, additional options may become available, such as becoming eligible for Medicare coverage while continuing to receive SSI if you still meet the income and resource limits set by the Social Security Administration (SSA).
Will My SSI Change When I Turn 62 if I Qualify for Retirement Benefits?
If someone is collecting SSI, they are required to file for any other benefit programs for which they may be eligible before SSI income will be paid. In the case of a disabled individual with prior work credits who was denied SSDI but granted SSI, they will be required to file for retirement benefits at the earliest age of eligibility.
If the retirement benefits amount to less than their current SSI payments, the applicant may be able to supplement their retirement income with SSI benefits. However, the total benefit amount must not exceed the maximum allowable payment under the SSI program.
What Happens to SSDI Benefits When I Turn 62?
Those receiving SSDI benefits before age 62 will see their payments automatically converted to retirement benefits, with no change in the monthly amount, upon reaching full retirement age. However, SSDI benefits will not automatically convert to retirement benefits before that point unless the recipient chooses to retire early. Throughout this period, recipients remain under the supervision of the Social Security Administration (SSA) and may be subject to continuing disability reviews to confirm ongoing eligibility. Once they turn 65, they also become eligible for Medicare coverage as part of the transition from disability to retirement benefits.
Contact Us to Speak with A Qualified Social Security Attorney in California
A qualified attorney can help you navigate the complex arena of Social Security Disability benefits. The lawyers at Peña & Bromberg have worked in Social Security Disability law, as well as Veterans Disability and Benefits law, since 1984.
We take pride in helping people through every stage of the application or appeals process. Contact us today to request a free consultation with one of our Social Security attorneys in Fresno, CA.
We serve clients located throughout the Central Valley, CA, including Oakland, Bakersfield, Stockton, Fresno, Sacramento, Modesto, the San Francisco Bay, and more.
