Larry,
Currently I am 61, and started receiving SSDI 2 years ago. My husband was killed on the job in 1990. At age 60 I started receiving what SS calls excess widows benefits.
I have been told by SS that my disability will automatically convert to SS when I turn 65, and I will continue to receive both my SS, and my widow benefits. Is this correct or have I been miss-informed…repeatedly?
Thank you,
Nora

Hi Nora. Nothing will change when you reach age 65, but when you reach your full retirement age (FRA) of 67 your Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits will convert to regular Social Security retirement benefits at the same rate. You'll also continue to receive your widow's benefit when that happens.

In fact, it sounds like your widow's rate may even increase when you reach FRA. If a widow is collecting SSDI benefits when they become entitled to additional widow's benefits, then any reduction for age applied to their widow's rate is removed when they reach FRA. Social Security makes such rate adjustments automatically when applicable.

Best, Jerry