Can You Get Retirement and Disability?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides financial support programs across the United States. Its primary responsibility is administering Social Security, a social insurance program. This program offers benefits for retirement, disability, and survivors, providing financial security to eligible individuals and their families. The SSA also oversees the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, which supports those with limited income and resources who are aged, blind, or disabled.

Understanding Social Security Benefits

Social Security offers two distinct types of benefits: Social Security Retirement benefits and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. Social Security Retirement benefits provide income to individuals who have worked and contributed to the Social Security system through payroll taxes. To qualify, most individuals born in 1929 or later need to accumulate 40 work credits, equating to 10 years of work.

These credits are earned based on annual income, with a maximum of four credits obtainable per year. For example, in 2025, earning $1,810 grants one credit, and $7,240 secures the maximum four credits. Individuals can begin receiving retirement benefits as early as age 62, though this results in a permanently reduced monthly amount. Full Retirement Age (FRA), when unreduced benefits are available, varies by birth year, ranging from 66 to 67 years old for those born in 1943 or later.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are for individuals unable to work due to a severe medical condition. The Social Security Administration defines disability as the inability to engage in substantial gainful activity due to a physical or mental impairment lasting at least 12 months or resulting in death. Eligibility for SSDI depends on work credits, with the number required varying based on the applicant’s age at disability onset. For instance, workers aged 31 or older need 20 credits earned in the 10 years immediately preceding their disability. Younger workers may qualify with fewer credits; those under age 24 may need only six credits earned in the three years before their disability began. These benefits are funded by the payroll taxes workers contribute throughout their careers.

Interaction Between Retirement and Disability Benefits

Individuals cannot receive two full Social Security benefits simultaneously, such as a full retirement and a full disability benefit. The Social Security Administration’s system is designed to provide the highest entitled benefit based on an individual’s work record and circumstances. While a person may be eligible for both, only one primary benefit amount is paid.

A common scenario involves the transition of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits to retirement benefits. When an individual receiving SSDI reaches their Full Retirement Age (FRA), their disability benefits automatically convert to retirement benefits. This conversion is seamless, and the monthly benefit amount typically remains the same. The SSA reclassifies the payment from disability to retirement, ensuring a continuous income stream.

Another situation arises when someone applies for disability benefits while already receiving early retirement benefits. If the disability claim is approved, the Social Security Administration will pay the higher of the two benefit amounts. If the disability benefit is higher than the reduced early retirement benefit, it will effectively replace the early retirement benefit. It is important that the disability began before the individual started collecting early retirement benefits for this scenario to apply. The objective is to ensure the beneficiary receives the maximum benefit for which they are eligible.

Managing Claims and Transitions

Navigating the Social Security benefits system involves specific steps, especially when considering disability benefits while already receiving retirement income. If an individual receiving early retirement benefits decides to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), the application process can be initiated online, by telephone, or in person at a local Social Security office. Required documentation includes proof of birth, U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status, and W-2 forms or self-employment tax returns from the previous year. Comprehensive medical records, doctor’s reports, and diagnostic test results are crucial to substantiate the disability claim. An Adult Disability Report outlining illnesses, injuries, and work history, along with documentation of any workers’ compensation benefits, is often necessary.

The transition from SSDI benefits to retirement benefits at Full Retirement Age (FRA) is largely an automatic process handled by the Social Security Administration. Recipients of SSDI do not need to take any specific action to initiate this change. The SSA automatically identifies individuals approaching their FRA and reclassifies their payments. Beneficiaries usually receive notifications from the SSA in advance, providing details about the upcoming change in benefit classification.

For personalized advice regarding specific situations, such as applying for disability while receiving early retirement or understanding benefit transitions, contacting the Social Security Administration directly is advisable. The SSA offers various channels for assistance, including a national toll-free number and local field offices where representatives can provide guidance. Understanding these procedural aspects helps ensure a smoother experience when engaging with the Social Security system.