Larry, I am a 55 year old male and currently receive SSDI benefits and expect them to continue until Retirement age.My current benifet is $1265.00 a month.Will my benifets automatically change over to retirement benifits when I reach full retirement age(70)or before? Do I need to notify Social Security ,when I reach either 65 or 70 and when will it benefit me the most? If not and the switch is automatic at what age will it occur? .Also will switching over raise or lower my current benefit depending on if I switch over at 65 or wait till FRA(70) ?

Thank You,John

Hi John,

Your disability benefit will convert to a retirement benefit when you reach full retirement age (FRA), which is age 67 in your case. The switch is automatic, so you won't need to do anything. Your benefit amount will not be reduced when the switch occurs, nor is it likely to increase. In virtually all cases, the benefit rate does not change when the conversion occurs.

If you can afford to and want to, you can voluntarily suspend your benefit when it converts to retirement at age 67, then resume benefits at age 70. That would result in a 24% increase in your monthly benefit amount, but it would also mean going without any benefits for 3 years.

Best, Jerry