I’m 65 Years Old. Can I Get Social Security Disability Benefits?

Matthew found it more difficult to work as he approached his 65^th birthday. With the help of friends and family, who hated to see him struggle, he finally decided to see if he could get Social Security Disability (SSDI) Benefits. Matthew doesn’t know if he should apply for retirement at age 65 or make a claim for disability benefits.

Your Social Security Retirement Age Matters

Technically, you can retire any time between age 62 and your full retirement age. However, the full retirement age (also called the normal retirement age) varies based on your birth year. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses the following scale to determine your normal retirement age:

Matthew’s birthday is October 13, 1954, so he will be 65 on October 13, 2019. However, according to the chart above, his full retirement age is 66. Matthew will have to wait one more year before receiving his full Social Security retirement benefits.

But what about SSDI?

The Connection Between SSDI and Retirement Benefits

If Matthew is unable to work due to a disability, he may be entitled to SSDI benefits. He could apply for SSDI and wait for his claim to be approved or denied.

When an SSDI beneficiary reaches full retirement age, his or her payments convert to retirement benefits. The monthly payment amount generally stays the same.

Talk to a Lawyer About Your Social Security Disability Benefits

Find out if you are eligible before you either apply on your own or decide you aren’t eligible. The attorneys at The Law Offices of Martin Taller have more than 50 years’ legal experience, much of it involving Social Security Disability Insurance claims. They can help you with your application and any appeals that might be needed.

Call us at 714-385-8100 for a free consultation. Though our office is located in Anaheim, we assist clients throughout Southern California.