I have a similar question to what was posted. My husband filed for disability 8 months ago at age 61. He is still waiting on a determination, but next month he will be 62. Can he start drawing his early retirement, or will that compromise his determination on his disability or have any other impacts? Since it's already been more than the disability 5 month waiting period, I assume there would not be any reduction of benefits if he should be awarded his disability??

Hi. Yes, your husband can apply for reduced retirement benefits while waiting for a determination on his claim for disability benefits, and doing so wouldn't have any adverse effect on his disability determination. As long as your husband's disability claim is approved with an onset date that allows his five month waiting period to be completed prior to his initial month of retirement benefit entitlement, there won't be any permanent reduction in his benefit rate. In that case, his disability benefits would basically supersede his retirement benefits, and he'd be paid his full primary insurance amount (PIA) instead of the reduced retirement rate. However, if your husband does apply for reduced benefits he could be stuck with a reduced rate if his disability claim isn't approved, or if it's approved with a later onset date.

Best, Jerry