Hello, I've been on long term disability since 2003 (age 40) on a private policy, non taxed, at about 50k a year.

I'm now 58 and still on that policy till I'm 65. when I apply for for social security at that point, will my benefits be minimum because I haven't contributed for so long, or do they take the 50k a year from disability and count that as income anyway?

Please help. Thank you

Hi. No, you won't receive any credit for the income you receive from your long term disability (LTD) when calculating your Social Security benefit rate because that income isn't subject to Social Security taxes. Assuming that you don't qualify for Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits, your Social Security retirement benefit rate will be calculated based on an average of your highest 35 years of Social Security covered wage-indexed earnings. And, if you've had fewer than 35 years of Social Security covered earnings, years with zero earnings will be averaged in when calculating your benefit rate. Those zero earnings years will cause your 35 year earnings average to be lower, which will in turn result in a lower benefit rate.

Best, Jerry