CAN YOU GET DISABILITY BENEFITS AFTER RETIREMENT AGE?

As a rule, there are no Social Security disability benefits for individuals who have reached their full retirement age. At your full retirement age, Social Security will give you retirement benefits--which is the same benefit you could have received for disability at an earlier age.

So, if you are already getting full retirement benefits, there are no additional or increased benefits for disability.

Example: Jane Doe took early retirement from Social Security at age 62. She received a reduced benefit because she was not yet full retirement age (67). Jane continued to receive these benefits until she reached age 67--her full retirement age. Can she now receive a larger benefit at age 67? No, since she locked in her benefit by retiring early at age 62, the benefits will not increase at age 67 (except for the annual Cost of Living or COLA adjustments). Even if Jane became disabled after reaching full retirement age, her monthly benefit would increase.

In short, you may receive a retirement benefit OR a disability benefit, but not both.

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