Hi, I have searched and cannot find an answer, if my wife and I both currently receive Ssdi benefits does that preclude her I or both from receiving retirement benefits in the future? I am 52 and she is 53, we have both worked full time since 1986. Thank you

Hi,

No, not at all. You can't be paid both Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits and Social Security retirement benefits at the same time, though. If you remain eligible for SSDI benefits until you reach full retirement age (FRA) your SSDI benefits will convert to regular Social Security retirement benefits at FRA.

Full SSDI benefit rates are paid at 100% of a person's primary insurance amount (PIA), as are Social Security retirement benefits if a person starts drawing the retirement benefits at full retirement age (FRA). Therefore, your and your wife's benefit rates won't change when your SSDI benefits convert to regular Social Security retirement benefits at FRA. But, if either your or your wife's PIA is more than twice as much as the other's PIA, the spouse with the lower PIA could potentially qualify for an excess spousal benefit as early as age 62. However, the excess spousal rate would be reduced for age if claimed prior to FRA.

Best, Jerry