Will My Social Security Benefits Change at 65?

Workers on Social Security disability benefits rely on the monthly benefit to provide for their basic needs. If you have a disability, you may worry about losing your benefits when you get older. If you’re getting Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), it will switch to Social Security retirement benefits when you reach full retirement age.

Your benefit amount depends on your work record and your spouse’s work record. Sometimes, you can get more benefits at age 67. To make sure you can keep your Social Security benefits when you retire, talk to a Social Security disability lawyer for legal advice.

How Much Can You Get in Disability Benefits?

Your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefit amount is based on your work record. To get disability benefits, you have to pay into the system through Social Security taxes and have a minimum number of work credits. You get one work credit for each quarter per year that you make over a certain amount of money. Self-employment income has special rules.

You can get disability benefits after accumulating at least 40 credits. Younger workers with disabilities can qualify with fewer work credits. For example, if you’re age 27, when you become disabled, you generally need six work credits (1.5 years of work).

How work affects your benefits depends on your income. This uses your average indexed monthly earnings (AIME) over your employment history. Taking the AIME from your highest 35 yearly earnings will give you your monthly benefit amount. There is a maximum benefit for SSDI benefits. In 2025, the maximum SSDI benefit will be $4,018.

How Much Do You Get for Full Retirement Benefits?

Retirement benefits can differ depending on your year of birth and when you start receiving benefits. Workers can start getting early retirement benefits by age 62. However, Social Security benefits are higher if you wait until your full retirement age. If you wait even more years, the monthly benefit amount is even higher. Here is an example for someone born in 1960:

• Retire at age 62: 70% of your full retirement benefits
• Retire at age 65: 86.7% of your full retirement benefits
• Retire at age 67: 100% of your full retirement benefits
• Retire at age 70: 124% of your full retirement benefits

Full retirement age depends on your date of birth. If you were born between 1943 and 1954, your full retirement age is 66. The retirement age increases based on birth year until 1960. The full retirement age for anyone born in 1960 or later is 67.

Do Social Security Benefits Increase?

Social Security disability and retirement benefits can adjust over time. The cost of living adjustment (COLA) increases benefits based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index (CPI). The benefit amount increases almost every year, but the amount can vary. For example, the COLA increased benefits between 2022 and 2023 by 8.7%. The COLA increase from 2024 to 2025 is 2.5%.

Cost of living adjustments can also change earnings limits, disability thresholds, and other SSA limits. You should get COLA notices from the SSA if you’re getting disability or insurance benefits.

Can You Get More in Spousal Retirement Benefits Than Disability?

For most workers, you qualify for disability benefits based on your work record. If you have a spouse, you can’t claim benefits on their work record if they’re not disabled or retired. However, when your spouse starts taking their retirement benefit payments, you can take benefits on their record.

For example, if you’re on disability and your spouse is still working, your benefits depend on your work credits. When your spouse gets Social Security retirement, you can switch your benefit amount to spousal benefits if they’re higher. At full retirement age, spousal benefits are 50% of the spouse’s full retirement amount.

For example, suppose your SSDI benefits based on your work record are $1,200 per month. Your spouse will get $3,000 per month when they retire. You can switch to receive spousal retirement benefits of $1,500 per month—a $300 monthly increase.

To see the higher benefit, check your retirement benefits based on your record and your spouse’s work record. Contact the Social Security Administration (www.ssa.gov) if you need to adjust your benefits.

Can You Lose SSI Benefits at Age 67?

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is for people with low income and few assets. Retirees or people with disabilities can qualify for SSI benefits if they fall under the asset limit and income limit. Your income increasing with retirement benefits could remove your SSI eligibility. However, some income is excluded from asset and income limits.

Will You Lose Healthcare Benefits at Age 65?

People with SSDI disability are generally eligible for Medicare coverage. Medicare is a health insurance program for anyone age 65 and older and some people with disabilities. Medicare Part A is for hospital insurance. Medicare Part B is for medical insurance. If you’re getting Medicare benefits while on SSDI, you’ll continue getting Medicare.

How Can a Social Security Disability Lawyer Help if You Lose Benefits?

Your SSDI benefits will automatically switch to retirement benefits at full retirement age. Your monthly support amount should stay the same. However, you may be able to get more benefits based on your spouse’s record. If you lose your benefits for any reason, talk to a lawyer. A Social Security disability lawyer can appeal your case and help keep your benefits.