Can You Switch from Social Security to Disability Benefits?

Can you get disability benefits if you’re receiving Social Security retirement?

Yes—if you claimed your Social Security retirement benefits early and then became disabled before reaching your full retirement age (FRA), you could qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

This can be an important opportunity to temporarily increase your monthly benefit amount. When you claim retirement benefits early—anytime between age 62 and your FRA—the Social Security Administration (SSA) permanently reduces the amount you receive each month. However, if you become disabled before reaching FRA and the SSA finds that you suffered a qualifying disability, you could be entitled to your full, unreduced benefit through Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

SSDI pays the same amount as your full retirement benefit, not the reduced early amount. That means you could receive more each month if your claim is approved. The SSA calls this a “disability freeze,” and it essentially treats you as if you had never elected to take early retirement. But there’s a catch—the higher payment doesn’t last forever.

What happens when you reach full retirement age while receiving SSDI?
Once you reach full retirement age, your SSDI benefits automatically convert back to Social Security retirement benefits—and if you filed for retirement early, your monthly benefit reverts to the reduced amount.

Even though SSDI benefits are based on your full retirement amount, this only applies until you reach FRA. At that point, the SSA switches you back to retirement benefits. Because you claimed retirement before FRA, your original reduction still applies. The disability benefit does not eliminate or erase that decision—it only suspends its impact while you qualify for SSDI.

What If You Were Already Getting Reduced Retirement And Then Became Disabled?

This kind of situation often occurs when someone starts taking retirement benefits because they can’t keep working due to health problems—but they haven’t applied for SSDI yet. If this sounds like your situation, it may not be too late. The SSA allows you to file for SSDI up to 12 months after you first claimed early retirement. If your disability began before you filed, or within that 12-month window, and you meet the medical and work history requirements, you might still be eligible for the higher benefit.

It’s important to act quickly, though. The SSDI application process takes time, and you’ll need to supply strong medical documentation showing that your condition meets the SSA’s definition of disability.

How does the SSA define disability for SSDI purposes?
To qualify for SSDI, your disability must meet the following definition:

• A medically diagnosable physical or mental impairment that last or is expected to last 12 months or more (or result in death) and prevents the person from performing substantial gainful activities.

That standard is strict. Temporary injuries or conditions that might improve within a few months generally won’t meet the test. The SSA also doesn’t award benefits based solely on a diagnosis—you need evidence that your condition prevents you from performing your past work or adjusting to other work based on your age, education, and experience.

In most cases, you’ll need to provide detailed records from your healthcare providers, including test results, treatment history, and statements about your limitations. It’s not uncommon for the SSA to deny an initial claim due to lack of documentation, which is why working with a knowledgeable disability law firm can make a difference.

Can you receive back payments if your SSDI claim is approved after you have already started retirement?

Yes. If your SSDI claim is approved, you should receive back pay for the months between your established disability onset date and the date you applied.

Social Security can pay SSDI benefits retroactively for up to 12 months prior to your application date, as long as you were disabled during that period and otherwise eligible. However, they won’t pay SSDI for months before your early retirement if your disability didn’t begin until later.

How do you apply for SSDI if you’re already receiving retirement benefits?
While you are not required to work with an experienced disability attorney to file an application, the complexities and potential obstacles make hiring a disability lawyer like The Keener Law Firm highly advisable.

People may apply online, by phone, or at a local Social Security office, but filing errors or omissions of necessary information or documents could result in a denial or cause long, costly delays in processing their claim.

Should You Speak With A Disability Attorney?

Yes, especially if you’re already receiving early retirement and think you might qualify for SSDI. The rules are complex, and the SSA’s decisions often depend on subtle details like your alleged onset date, the timing of your retirement claim, and the quality of your medical evidence.

At The Keener Law Firm, we help individuals across the country understand their rights and file strong SSDI claims—even when they’re already receiving retirement benefits. If you believe you became disabled before reaching full retirement age, don’t assume your reduced benefit is permanent. We’re here to review your case and help you pursue the benefits you deserve.

We will help you determine whether you’re eligible for SSDI even after taking early retirement. Your financial stability matters, and we’re ready to help you right away.