Hi Larry, I am preparing to apply for social security benefits for my husband. He has some health challenges, is not working any longer, and currently undergoing some health testing. It is my understanding that he could apply for retirement and disability benefits. Do this need to be done simultaneously? Or can we apply for his retirement benefits to get that started and then apply for the disability benefits in a couple of months once all of the testing is completed? It's somewhat confusing as to how that works. Any information or guidance you can share would be appreciated. Thanks.

Hi. Your husband can apply separately and on different dates for Social Security retirement and disability (SSDI) benefits, or he could apply for them at the same time. He can potentially claim retirement benefits as early as age 62, but he can't claim retirement benefits retroactively for any months prior to his full retirement age (FRA).

SSDI benefits can be claimed at any age prior to the person's FRA, and can potentially be paid for up to 12 months prior to the month that a person applies. There is a 5 month waiting period for SSDI, though, so no SSDI benefits are payable for the first 5 full calendar months that a person is disabled.

Note that you can't be paid both retirement and SSDI benefits for the same months. Generally, if you qualify for both benefits you'd elect to collect SSDI benefits rather than retirement benefits because SSDI benefits aren't reduced for age.

For example, let's say Bill files for retirement benefits when he reaches age 63 in June 2020. Bill has been disabled and unable to work for several months, but he didn't file an application until the month he turned age 63. Bill elects to start his retirement benefits as soon as possible, which is the month he applies. Bill's primary insurance amount (PIA) is $2000, but his rate is reduced for age to $1550. A person's PIA is equal to their Social Security retirement benefit rate if they start drawing their benefits at full retirement age (FRA), or their unreduced SSDI benefit rate.

In June 2021 when Bill turns 64, he decides to apply for SSDI benefits. His SSDI claim is eventually approved, and his date of disability onset is established as February 15 2020. Bill's 5 month waiting period is then March 2020 through July 2020, so the first month he qualifies for SSDI is August 2020. Bill's unreduced SSDI rate would be equal to his full PIA, or $2000. However, since Bill collected reduced retirement benefits for 2 months (i.e. June & July 2020) prior to his first month of SSDI entitlement (i.e. August 2020), his SSDI rate is reduced for those 2 months. That makes his SSDI benefit rate $1977, and Bill elects to collect SSDI instead of his retirement benefits since the monthly rate is higher (i.e. $1977 vs. $1550).

Best, Jerry