Hi, Larry.
I've been on SSI since I was 52 I am now 64
Can I switch from SSI to retirement benefits or do I have to wait until my full retirement age?
Also once I do get on retirement benefits can Mass health keep the lien that they have on my property or does it go away once I'm off Mass health

Hi. SSI is the abbreviation that Social Security uses to refer to Supplemental Security Income. Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, is a needs based benefit administered by Social Security. If you are receiving Supplemental Security Income payments and if you have enough work credits to qualify for Social Security retirement benefits, then you are required to apply for the retirement benefits as soon as you become eligible for them, which is normally at age 62. So, if you haven't yet applied for any Social Security benefits for which you're eligible and if you're receiving Supplemental Security Income payments, then you should likely contact Social Security immediately.

However, if what you're receiving is Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits, not Supplemental Security Income, then switching to Social Security retirement benefits prior to your full retirement age (FRA) will result in a lower monthly benefit rate unless some your SSDI benefits are being offset due to the receipt of workers compensation or public disability benefits.

When a person qualifies for Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits, their monthly benefit rate is calculated at 100% of their primary insurance amount (PIA). A person's PIA is equal to their Social Security retirement benefit rate if they start drawing their benefits at full retirement age (FRA). Thus, qualifying for SSDI benefits is essentially like starting your unreduced full retirement age benefits early. If you continue to qualify for SSDI until you reach FRA, your SSDI benefits then convert to regular Social Security retirement benefits at the same unreduced rate.

You can't be paid both SSDI and Social Security retirement benefits at the same time, and if you switch from SSDI to Social Security retirement benefits prior to FRA your benefit rate would be reduced for age. So, in other words, switching from SSDI benefits to Social Security retirement benefits prior to FRA usually just results in the person being paid a lower monthly benefit rate.

Generally, the only circumstances in which it might be advisable for a person drawing SSDI to consider switching to Social Security retirement benefits prior to FRA is if a) their SSDI benefits are being offset because they also receive workers compensation benefits or a public disability benefit, or b) they have an eligible spouse and/or child who could receive a higher auxiliary benefit rate because of a higher family maximum benefit (FMB) rate that might apply, or c) if the person is earning enough to cause their SSDI benefits to be suspended.

Regarding your last question, my expertise is limited to Social Security benefits, so I'm unable to answer questions about liens.

Best, Jerry