Because of your age, you are eligible for Social Security retirement benefits while we process your application for disability. If you answer yes, we will consider this application for both retirement and disability benefits. Disability decisions usually take approximately 90 to 120 days. Applying for retirement may provide income while you wait.
However, taking retirement may reduce your final disability benefit. Disability benefits are reduced by less than 1% for every month you receive a retirement benefit prior to the first month you are due a disability benefit. The result is usually a final disability payment that is higher than your retirement benefit, but not as high as it would be if you did not take the early retirement.
If your disability application is approved, the first disability benefit will usually be paid for the sixth full month after the date we determine you became disabled. We will pay you whichever benefit is higher (retirement or disability) at the earliest possible date. You will not need to re-contact SSA to receive the higher benefit.
If you do not want retirement benefits while you wait for the decision on your disability benefits, we will contact you to make sure you fully understand the options.
To learn more about how your benefit is calculated, visit Your Retirement Benefit: How It Is Figured.