Many people who are age 60 or over and are unable to work often ask themselves – “Should I still apply for Social Security Disability Benefits?”
This is primarily because most people who are over age 60 will become eligible for regular Social Security retirement benefits in a few months to a few years, once they attain full retirement age.
If you are 60 or over and haven’t reached your full retirement age, you may be eligible for early retirement benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA).
What Should You Keep in Mind When Considering Whether to Apply for Social Security Disability Benefits?
You may be eligible to apply for Social Security Disability benefits if you have not reached full retirement age and you meet the requirements for disability under the Social Security Disability rules.
These requirements include not being able to perform substantial gainful activity (SGA), which means you are unable to earn more than $1090[1] per month. For individuals who are statutorily blind, SGA is defined as $1820[2] per month or more in earnings. Proof of disability must be supported by medical evidence, such as clinical records and physician reports.
When an applicant is age 60 or older but has not yet reached their regular retirement age, the Social Security Administration uses special rules to assess an applicant’s claim for disability. Those rules take into account not only your age, but also your education, and relevant work experience. In fact, these rules, in many cases, make a disability finding easier for people who are age 60 or over.
It is important to note that the Social Security Administration will not pay benefits for both regular retirement and disability at the same time.
If you are approved for Social Security Disability benefits, your Social Security Disability benefit automatically converts to regular Social Security retirement benefits once you get to your regular retirement age. You should contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-771-1213 or ssa.gov to find out your full retirement age.
For Legal Assistance Applying for SSD Benefits, Contact Us
Andalman & Flynn represents Social Security Disability clients throughout Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, DC. We will help you thoroughly and accurately complete your claim and represent your best interests through this process, drawing on years of experience. Contact us to request a consultation with a disability attorney on our team.
[1] This is the current limit for SGA for 2015.
[2] This is the current limit for SGA for statutorily blind individuals for 2015.