I am 62. I've been collecting SSDI since 1997.I was wondering if I should ? can switch to SSI at this point so that I can try a part time job.

Hi,

I assume that you are referring to switching to regular Social Security retirement benefits, not Supplemental Security Income (SSI). You could switch from drawing Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits to drawing Social Security retirement benefits at age 62, but your benefit rate would then be reduced for age. The likely result would be a roughly 25% cut from your current SSDI rate. Furthermore, there is a Social Security earnings test that could result in withholding part or all of your Social Security retirement benefits if you earn too much (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/whileworking.html).

The only times that it normally makes sense to switch from SSDI to reduced retirement benefits is if your SSDI is being offset due to receipt of worker's compensation or public disability benefits, or if your eligible family members would receive higher auxiliary benefits if you switch to retirement benefits.

People on SSDI are allowed to work and earn any amount for up to 9 months without losing their benefits. That's referred to as a trial work period (TWP). Even after the TWP is completed, a person can continue to be paid SSDI benefits if they don't earn more than what's considered to be substantial gainful activity (SGA), which is currently set at $1220 per month. For more information about working while receiving SSDI, refer to the following Social Security publication: https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10095.pdf.

Best, Jerry