What Happens to My Disability Benefits When I Turn 62 or 65?

How SSDI and SSI change (or don’t) as you get older

Introduction: Will My Disability Benefits Stop When I Reach Retirement Age?

As you approach your 60s, you might be wondering:

🎂 What happens to my SSDI or SSI when I turn 62 or 65?

📅 Do I need to apply for retirement benefits separately?

💰 Will my monthly payment change?

The short answer:

✔️ If you're on SSDI, your benefits automatically convert to retirement at full retirement age—but your payment won’t change.

⚠️ If you're on SSI, things can get more complicated, especially if you also start receiving Social Security retirement benefits.

In this post, we’ll explain:

✅ How SSDI transitions into retirement

✅ How turning 62 or 65 affects SSI

✅ Whether your benefit amount changes

✅ What to watch for with Medicare, Medicaid, and reviews

✅ How Purple helps you stay organized during this transition

1. What Happens to SSDI at Retirement Age?

If you're receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI):

✅ Your SSDI automatically switches to retirement benefits at your full retirement age.

That means:

• No need to reapply

• No gap in benefits

• No change in the amount you receive

📌 For most people, full retirement age is 66–67, depending on your birth year.

💡 SSA treats SSDI as an “early” retirement benefit for people who are disabled before full retirement age.

🔍 What About Age 62?

Turning 62 doesn't change your SSDI. You can’t “double dip” and get early retirement on top of SSDI.

In fact, you’re already receiving the equivalent of full benefits through SSDI—so there’s no need to apply separately.

2. What Happens to SSI at Age 62 or 65?

If you're receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI):

• You may become eligible for Social Security retirement benefits at 62

• If you start receiving retirement benefits, your SSI payment may go down

• You’ll need to report the change in income to SSA

• At age 65, you’re still eligible for SSI if you meet the income/resource rules

💡 SSI is a needs-based program. Even a small Social Security retirement check could reduce your SSI.

🧠 Example:

Let’s say you receive:

• $967/month from SSI (max individual rate in 2025)

• Then you become eligible for $400/month in retirement benefits

SSA will now count that $400 as unearned income, and reduce your SSI accordingly.

3. Will My Monthly Payment Change?

If You’re on SSDI:

• No change at retirement age

• You keep getting the same amount, just under the retirement label

If You’re on SSI:

• Yes, it may change if you start getting another form of Social Security income

• Your combined total (SSI + retirement) usually equals the original SSI max or close to it

📌 SSI is designed to “top off” your income to a fixed level—not stack on top of other Social Security payments.

4. What About Medicare and Medicaid?

✅ SSDI → Medicare

You become eligible for Medicare automatically 2 years after your SSDI starts—usually before you turn 65.

✅ SSI → Medicaid

If you only receive SSI, you’re typically enrolled in Medicaid, and that continues as long as you qualify financially.

⚠️ SSDI + SSI at Retirement:

You may end up with Medicare and Medicaid at the same time (dual eligibility), especially if your retirement benefit is small. SSA and your state will help coordinate coverage.

5. Will SSA Review My Disability at Retirement Age?

Once you reach full retirement age:

• SSA no longer reviews your disability status

• You’re now receiving retirement benefits, which don’t require medical review

✅ This is one of the biggest reliefs for SSDI recipients—no more CDRs (Continuing Disability Reviews).

6. What Should I Do When I Reach 62 or 65?

✅ If you're on SSDI:

• Do nothing—the switch happens automatically at full retirement age

✅ If you're on SSI:

• Be aware that SSA may start your retirement benefits automatically at 62

• Watch for a reduction in your SSI payment

• Make sure SSA has updated income info to avoid overpayments

✅ For both:

• Consider talking to SSA if you get a new benefit letter or if your payment suddenly changes

• Continue using Purple to track all income sources and verify benefit amounts

7. How Purple Helps During the SSDI/SSI to Retirement Transition

💜 Track Deposit Sources – Know which check is SSDI, SSI, or retirement

💜 Monitor Income Changes – See when your SSI is reduced due to new income

💜 Balance Alerts – Stay under the $2,000 SSI resource limit

💜 Document Storage – Keep SSA letters and Medicare notices in one place

💜 Ask the Companion – “Did my SSDI switch to retirement?” or “Why did my SSI go down this month?”

8. FAQs About Disability and Retirement Transitions

⚠️ Will I lose my benefits when I turn 62?

No—if you're on SSDI or SSI, your benefits continue, but may shift depending on your situation.

⚠️ Do I need to apply for retirement benefits if I'm already on SSDI?

No—SSA automatically converts your SSDI to retirement at full retirement age.

⚠️ Will I get more money after 65?

Not usually. SSDI converts 1:1 into retirement. If you're on SSI, your payment may change if you start receiving retirement income.

⚠️ Can I get both SSI and retirement benefits?

Yes—if your retirement payment is small enough, SSI can “top it up” to help you reach the federal income limit.

Conclusion: You Don’t Need to Panic—Just Stay Informed

✅ SSDI automatically switches to retirement benefits at full retirement age

✅ SSI may change if you start getting Social Security retirement

✅ Medicare and Medicaid may both apply, depending on your income

✅ Use Purple to track it all—without the stress

💜 Join Purple today to manage your benefits before and after retirement—and avoid surprises when the transition comes.