Hi I am on SSDI and seperated from spouse. I can't afford to live here and may move to UK. Possibly Spain or split time. I also can't afford them taking 25.5% in tax out first.

When can I be free of SSDI? When I retire? and if they take it away can I then apply for retirement early ( I am 63) so it wouldn't be too much early.
And if that happens how can I prevent tax. I am permanent.resident and not citizen. Seems unfair as I paid into the system and it should be mine and not be penalized for having to move out of US. Trying to survive here.

Hi. Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits continue until you reach full retirement age (FRA) unless they stop because you work and earn too much, or if Social Security determines that you are no longer medically disabled. If you're still receiving SSDI benefits when you reach FRA, your SSDI benefits will convert to regular Social Security retirement benefits at the same rate.

Since you're age 63, you could apply for Social Security retirement benefits now and elect to receive those benefits instead of SSDI. However, if you start drawing Social Security retirement benefits prior to FRA your benefit rate is reduced for age. SSDI benefits aren't reduced for age, so qualifying for SSDI is essentially like drawing your unreduced FRA benefit early. Therefore, if you switch from SSDI benefits to retirement benefits prior to your FRA, you'll likely just end up with a lower monthly benefit rate.

Furthermore, switching from SSDI to retirement benefits wouldn't exempt you from the Nonresident Alien Withholding Tax (NAWT) if you move outside of the U.S. My expertise is limited to Social Security benefits, not income taxes, but you can learn more about the NAWT rules on the following Social Security website: https://www.ssa.gov/international/AlienTax_reference_2.html.

Best, Jerry