Hi, I have been on SSI since 2015 and I’ll be 59 this year. Am I able to switch to social security retirement benefits or do I have to wait until I turn 62? I thought I read somewhere if you are disabled you can retire before 62. Thank you.

Hi,

When you refer to SSI, I assume you mean Supplemental Security Income. If you're receiving SSI and you qualify for Social Security retirement benefits but not for Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits, then you'll be required to start drawing your Social Security retirement benefits when you're first eligible at age 62. Even though Social Security retirement benefits are reduced for age if a person starts drawing them prior to full retirement age (FRA), people receiving SSI must file for Social Security benefits as soon as they're eligible because SSI is a needs based benefit intended as a last resort.

On the other hand, if what you're currently drawing is SSDI, then you'd almost certainly want to continue drawing those benefits until they convert to regular Social Security retirement benefits at FRA. SSDI benefits are not reduced for age, and the SSDI benefit rate is equal to a person's full primary insurance amount (PIA). A person's PIA is also the amount they'd get if they start drawing Social Security retirement benefits at FRA, so receiving SSDI is like drawing your full Social Security retirement benefit early.

Best, Jerry