Disability Benefits Guide

Will My Disability Benefits Change When I Turn 65?

A clear, step-by-step explanation of what happens to SSDI, SSI, and Medicare when you reach retirement age — and what you need to do right now.

Updated February 2026 · 7 min read · FindTheLawyers.com

Quick Answer: Your disability benefits do not stop at 65. If you receive SSDI, your benefits automatically convert to Social Security retirement benefits when you reach your Full Retirement Age (FRA) — which is 66 or 67 for most people born after 1954 — with no reduction in your monthly payment. If you receive SSI, your payments continue as long as you still meet income and asset limits. No reapplication is required.

Turning 65 is a major milestone. If you're among the millions of Americans receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), it's completely natural to wonder: Will I lose my benefits? Will my check get smaller? What changes?

This guide answers every question clearly, so you can approach age 65 with confidence — not confusion.

What Happens to SSDI Benefits at 65?

One of the most common misconceptions about disability benefits at 65 is that they disappear. They don't. Here is exactly what happens:

Your SSDI benefits continue uninterrupted at age 65.
At your Full Retirement Age (FRA), the Social Security Administration (SSA) automatically converts your SSDI to Social Security retirement benefits.
Your monthly payment amount does not change at conversion.
Medical Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs) stop once you reach FRA.
You do not need to apply for retirement benefits — the switch is automatic.

💡 Important: The only thing that changes is the label of your benefit — from "disability" to "retirement." Your income stays the same.

[Learn more about how SSDI eligibility works and who qualifies]

How Full Retirement Age (FRA) Works — and Why It Matters

Many people assume the SSDI-to-retirement conversion happens exactly at age 65. In reality, full retirement age depends on your birth year. For anyone born in 1960 or later, FRA is 67 — not 65. This distinction matters because SSDI continues under disability rules until FRA, not until age 65.

Birth Year	Full Retirement Age (FRA)
1943 – 1954	66 years
1955	66 years, 2 months
1956	66 years, 4 months
1957	66 years, 6 months
1958	66 years, 8 months
1959	66 years, 10 months
1960 or later	67 years

Between age 65 and your FRA, your SSDI benefits continue under the same rules — including earnings limits and periodic medical reviews. The conversion to retirement status only happens when you hit your specific FRA.

Will My Monthly Payment Amount Change?

In the vast majority of cases, your monthly payment stays exactly the same when SSDI converts to retirement benefits. The SSA calculates both amounts using the same formula based on your lifetime earnings record, so the transition is seamless.

However, your payment could be affected if:

You begin earning income above the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) threshold.
Your living situation changes (e.g., moving in with family, entering a care facility).
You receive both SSDI and SSI — changes to one can affect the other.
Annual Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA) apply, which can slightly increase your payment each year.

[See how the 2025 COLA affects your Social Security payment]

SSDI vs. Social Security Retirement Benefits at 65: Side-by-Side Comparison

Understanding the difference between these two programs helps you know what to expect — and what doesn't change.

Feature	SSDI (Before FRA)	Retirement Benefits (At/After FRA)
Who qualifies	Workers with a qualifying disability and sufficient work credits	Workers who have reached Full Retirement Age
Monthly payment amount	Based on earnings record (AIME formula)	Same amount — no reduction at conversion
Medical reviews required	Yes — every 1–7 years depending on condition	No — medical reviews stop at FRA
Earnings limit	Yes — SGA limit applies ($1,550/month in 2024)	No earnings limit after FRA
Medicare eligibility	After 24 months of receiving SSDI	Automatically at age 65 (age-based)
Application required	Yes — must apply for SSDI	No — automatic conversion from SSDI
COLA adjustments	Yes	Yes
Dependent/auxiliary benefits	Available for qualifying family members	Continue — dependents may still be eligible

What Happens to SSI Benefits After Age 65?

Supplemental Security Income works differently from SSDI. At age 65, SSI does not convert to retirement benefits — it remains its own separate program. Here is what changes and what stays the same:

What changes: You no longer have to prove you are disabled. At 65, you qualify under the "aged" category automatically.
What stays the same: The financial eligibility rules don't change. You must still have limited income and resources — less than $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple.
Monthly payments continue as long as you meet the income and asset limits.
SSI does not automatically become a Social Security retirement benefit.

💡 Receiving both SSDI and SSI? When your SSDI converts to retirement benefits, it may increase your monthly Social Security income — which could reduce or eliminate your SSI payment, since SSI is income-sensitive.

[Understand the difference between SSDI and SSI eligibility requirements]

How Medicare Coverage Works for Disability Recipients at 65

If you've been receiving SSDI, you likely already have Medicare — you qualify after 24 months of receiving disability benefits, regardless of age. When you turn 65, your Medicare coverage continues without interruption, but it shifts from disability-based to age-based eligibility. Nothing changes functionally — your cards stay the same and your doctors stay the same.

However, turning 65 is a good time to review your coverage:

Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) — typically premium-free if you have sufficient work history.
Medicare Part B (medical insurance) — confirm your enrollment to avoid late enrollment penalties.
Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage) — consider adding or upgrading coverage.
Medicare Advantage (Part C) — this may offer additional benefits that original Medicare doesn't cover.

If you are on SSI but not SSDI, you may have been receiving Medicaid. At 65, you may also become eligible for Medicare. Contact the SSA to understand how these programs interact in your state.

Special Situations: How Benefits May Be Affected

If You're Still Working at 65

Before your Full Retirement Age, SSDI rules on earnings still apply — specifically the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit. Once you reach FRA and your benefits convert to retirement, there is no longer an earnings limit. You can work full-time and receive your full retirement benefit simultaneously.

If You Receive Both SSDI and SSI

When SSDI converts to retirement benefits, your Social Security income may increase slightly due to different calculation rules. Because SSI is income-based, a higher Social Security payment could reduce your SSI benefit dollar-for-dollar above the exclusion threshold. Review your specific situation with the SSA before your FRA arrives.

If You Have Dependents Receiving Auxiliary Benefits

Family members (such as a spouse or children) who currently receive auxiliary benefits based on your SSDI record can generally continue receiving those benefits after your benefits convert to retirement. The conversion does not trigger a termination of auxiliary benefits. However, the eligibility rules for dependents under retirement may differ slightly — confirm details with the SSA.

5 Practical Steps to Take Before You Turn 65

Being proactive protects your income and healthcare. Here are the most important actions to take as you approach this milestone:

Review your Social Security statement. Log into ssa.gov and confirm your projected benefit amounts and Medicare status.

Confirm your Full Retirement Age. Use the SSA's FRA chart or calculator to know the exact date your benefits convert.

Review your Medicare coverage. Ensure you're enrolled in the right parts and consider supplemental plans like Medigap or Part D.

Report any life changes to the SSA. Address changes, income changes, or household changes can affect your benefit calculation.

Consult a disability attorney or benefits advisor. Especially if you receive both SSDI and SSI, or have dependents — get personalized guidance.

[Find a qualified Social Security disability attorney near you]

Frequently Asked Questions: Disability Benefits at 65

Will Social Security disability benefits stop at age 65?

No. SSDI benefits do not stop at age 65. They continue until your Full Retirement Age (66 or 67 depending on your birth year), at which point they automatically convert to Social Security retirement benefits with the same monthly payment. No action is required on your part.

What happens to SSDI at 65 — do I need to apply for retirement benefits?

No application is needed. The SSA handles the conversion from SSDI to retirement benefits automatically at your Full Retirement Age. You will receive a notice from the SSA explaining the change, but there is nothing to file or reapply for.

Does SSI after age 65 still require proof of disability?

No. Once you turn 65, you qualify for SSI under the "aged" category — meaning you no longer have to demonstrate a disability to remain eligible. However, you must still meet the income and resource limits ($2,000 for individuals, $3,000 for couples) to continue receiving payments.

How does full retirement age disability conversion work if I was born after 1960?

If you were born in 1960 or later, your Full Retirement Age is 67 — not 65. This means your SSDI benefits remain under disability rules until age 67, when they convert to retirement benefits. Between ages 65 and 67, all standard SSDI rules (including medical reviews and earnings limits) still apply.

Will my Medicare change when my SSDI converts to retirement benefits?

Not meaningfully. If you were already enrolled in Medicare due to your disability (which starts after 24 months of SSDI), your coverage continues seamlessly. At age 65, the basis for your Medicare eligibility shifts from disability-based to age-based, but your coverage and benefits remain in place.

Can I receive SSDI and retirement benefits at the same time?

Not simultaneously in the traditional sense. Before your FRA, you are on SSDI. At FRA, SSDI automatically converts to retirement benefits — you can't receive both programs' full amounts at the same time. However, the good news is that your retirement benefit amount equals your SSDI amount, so you lose nothing in the transition.

What is the lowest SSDI payment I can receive?

SSDI payments vary widely based on your work history and lifetime earnings. According to the SSA, payments can range from under $200 to over $3,600 per month. The average SSDI payment in 2024 is approximately $1,537 per month. Your specific amount is calculated from your Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME).

Not Sure How Your Benefits Will Change at 65?

Every disability case is different. A Social Security disability attorney can review your specific benefits, help you understand your Medicare options, and make sure you don't leave money on the table as you approach retirement age.

Consult a Disability Attorney Today →

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For guidance specific to your situation, please consult a licensed Social Security disability attorney or contact the Social Security Administration directly at ssa.gov or 1-800-772-1213.