Ask Larry

Will My FICA Contributions From Part-Time Work Increase My Benefits?

After being approved for SSDI at 57, I started working part time within the limits. Will my Fica contributions from this part time work increase my benefits at full retirement age?
I have been told many times that i will receive same amount i am receiving now. Please clarify

Hi,

Your benefit rate can be recalculated to credit additional years of earnings, but your recent earnings will only increase your benefit rate if your earning is those years is higher than in one of the previous highest wage-indexed earnings years used to calculate your current benefit rate.

If you qualified for Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits at age 57, your SSDI rate would be calculated based on your highest 30 years of wage-indexed earnings. In order for your subsequent earnings to potentially increase your rate, you'd need to earn more in a year than you did in one of those previous highest 30 years.

Unless you earn more in a year than you did in one of your previous highest 30 years, your SSDI rate will convert to regular Social Security retirement benefits at the same rate when you reach full retirement age (FRA).

Best, Jerry

Category: 
Posted: 
Aug 2 2020 - 10:13am
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