EARLY RETIREMENT BENEFITS AND SSDI

If you are at least age 62 you can receive early retirement benefits from Social Security and also apply for disability or SSDI.

However, you will receive reduced retirement benefits prior to your full retirement age.  For persons born between 1950 and 1955, full retirement age is 66.  That means you can receive retirement benefits with no reduction when you reach 66.  Reduced benefits are available beginning at age 62.

Can a person who is at least age 62 receive early retirement benefits and apply for disability at the same time?  Yes.  You can apply for disability benefits any time before reaching your full retirement age.  You can receive your early retirement benefit while a decision is being made on your disability application.

If your disability application is approved, your monthly benefit will be increased to the amount of your full retirement benefit, starting with the onset date of disability.  This may involve some back pay.

If your disability application is denied (never approved), you will continue to receive the reduced early retirement benefit for the remainder of your life.  You may receive periodic cost of living increases.  When you reach your full retirement age, however, your benefit will not increase because you began taking it early, so the reduced benefit is "locked in."

In summary, receiving an early retirement benefit really has no impact on a Social Security disability application.  The disability application will be processed just like it would if you were not getting early retirement benefits.

There is no disability benefit available after you reach full retirement age because you are already receiving the maximum benefit.