You cannot collect both SSDI and Social Security retirement benefits at the same time — you receive one or the other, not both.

If you are receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you are already receiving a Social Security benefit. SSDI is a Social Security program, not a separate system. When you reach full retirement age, your SSDI benefit converts to a retirement benefit at the same payment amount — the program straightforward changes its name in the Social Security Administration's records, but your monthly check stays the same.

The confusion usually comes from thinking of SSDI and "Social Security" as two different things. They are not. SSDI is Social Security paid to you because you have a disability. Retirement Social Security is Social Security paid to you because you have reached a certain age. You cannot be both disabled and retired in the eyes of Social Security, so you cannot collect both payments.

Key Takeaways

  • SSDI is a Social Security benefit for people with disabilities, and retirement Social Security is a Social Security benefit for people who have reached full retirement age — they are two versions of the same program.
  • When you turn full retirement age while on SSDI, your benefit automatically converts to retirement Social Security at the same monthly amount.
  • If you have a spouse or ex-spouse, you may be able to receive a benefit based on their work record in addition to your own SSDI or retirement benefit, subject to family maximum limits.
  • If you worked and paid into Social Security, your SSDI benefit is based on your own work record, not on anyone else's.

What happens to your SSDI when you reach full retirement age

Your SSDI benefit does not stop or change when you turn full retirement age. Instead, the Social Security Administration converts your benefit from "Disability Insurance" to "Retirement Insurance" — the payment amount stays the same, and you continue to receive the same monthly check. This conversion is automatic; you do not have to do anything.

Full retirement age depends on the year you were born. For people born in 1960 or later, full retirement age is 67. If you were born earlier, your full retirement age may be 65 or 66. You can find your exact full retirement age on your Social Security statement or by contacting the Social Security Administration directly.

The reason for the conversion is that Social Security defines you differently once you reach full retirement age. You are no longer considered disabled by the program's standards — you are considered retired. But because your SSDI benefit was already calculated based on your work record, the conversion does not recalculate or reduce your payment.

How SSDI and spousal or ex-spousal benefits work together

If you are on SSDI and you have a spouse or ex-spouse, you may be able to receive an additional benefit based on their work record. This is separate from your SSDI benefit and is called a spousal benefit or ex-spousal benefit. You would receive your own SSDI payment plus a spousal payment, up to a family maximum.

A family maximum is a limit on the total amount that all family members can receive based on one person's work record. If your SSDI benefit plus a spousal benefit would exceed the family maximum, your spousal benefit is reduced so that the total does not go over the limit. The Social Security Administration calculates the family maximum when you first begin receiving benefits.

To receive a spousal benefit while on SSDI, you must meet the Social Security Administration's requirements for spousal benefits. These requirements include being married for at least one year (or being the parent of your spouse's child), being at least 62 years old, or being any age and caring for a child under 16. An ex-spouse benefit has different rules and typically requires the marriage to have lasted at least 10 years.

If you have worked and paid into Social Security

Your SSDI benefit is based on your own work record — the wages you earned and the Social Security taxes you paid while working. The Social Security Administration looks at your 35 highest-earning years and calculates a benefit amount based on that history. This is true whether you are 25 or 55 when you begin receiving SSDI.

You do not receive SSDI based on someone else's work record. If you have not worked enough to have your own Social Security work record, you may not be able to receive SSDI at all. The Social Security Administration has specific requirements about how many work credits you must have earned, and these requirements vary by age.

If you have a very limited work history, you may be able to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) instead of SSDI. SSI is a different program that does not require a work record and is based on financial need. However, SSI and SSDI are separate programs with different rules, and you cannot receive both at the same time.

Why you might think you can collect both

The confusion often comes from hearing about people who receive "disability and Social Security." What they usually mean is that they receive SSDI (which is Social Security) plus another benefit, such as a spousal benefit, a child's benefit, or a survivor's benefit. These are all Social Security payments, but they are based on different rules and different work records.

Another source of confusion is the difference between SSDI and SSI. SSI is Supplemental Security Income, a needs-based program run by the Social Security Administration. You can receive SSI and SSDI at the same time if you meet the requirements for both, but most people receive one or the other. If you receive both, your total monthly payment is usually capped at a certain amount.

What to do if you are unsure about your benefits

If you are on SSDI and you are approaching full retirement age, you do not need to do anything. Your benefit will convert automatically. However, if you want to confirm your full retirement age or understand how a spousal benefit might affect your payment, you can contact the Social Security Administration by phone, by mail, or in person at a local Social Security office.

You can also create a my Social Security account on the Social Security Administration's website. This account shows your current benefit amount, your full retirement age, and an estimate of what your benefit will be in the future. The account also lets you change your address, request a replacement Social Security card, and view your earnings record.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between SSDI and retirement Social Security?

SSDI is Social Security paid to you because you have a disability and cannot work. Retirement Social Security is Social Security paid to you because you have reached full retirement age. They are the same program with different may be able to access rules. When you turn full retirement age while on SSDI, your benefit converts to retirement Social Security automatically.

Can I receive SSDI and a spousal benefit at the same time?

Yes, you may receive both your own SSDI benefit and a spousal benefit based on your spouse's or ex-spouse's work record. However, your total payment is subject to a family maximum limit. If your SSDI plus the spousal benefit would exceed the limit, the spousal benefit is reduced.

What happens to my SSDI payment when I turn full retirement age?

Your SSDI payment does not change. The Social Security Administration converts your benefit from Disability Insurance to Retirement Insurance, but your monthly check amount stays the same. The conversion is automatic and requires no action on your part.

Can I receive both SSDI and SSI?

You can receive both SSDI and SSI at the same time if you meet the requirements for both programs. However, your total monthly payment is usually limited to a certain amount. Most people receive one or the other, not both.

How do I know my full retirement age?

Your full retirement age depends on the year you were born. For people born in 1960 or later, it is 67. For earlier birth years, it ranges from 65 to 66. You can find your exact full retirement age on your Social Security statement or by contacting the Social Security Administration.