What happens when my SSDI runs out?

When Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits end, it's usually because you've reached full retirement age (converting to retirement benefits), improved enough to work above Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) levels, or, in rare cases, faced incarceration; if benefits stop unexpectedly, you can appeal the decision, apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or potentially restart benefits within a re-entitlement period if your work attempt fails.

Do SSDI benefits ever run out?

Yes, SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) benefits can "run out" or stop, not because the program ends, but due to individual circumstances like medical recovery, returning to work (earning above limits), incarceration, or when you reach full retirement age and benefits convert to retirement payments, though they generally continue as long as you're disabled and eligible, with periodic reviews by the SSA. 

What to do after disability runs out?

To reapply or extend support, individuals should file for federal disability benefits, which require medical documentation and a separate application process. It's important to keep detailed medical records and follow federal guidelines closely to improve approval chances.

At what age does SSDI convert to retirement benefits?

This means if you are currently receiving SSDI benefits and you were born in 1960 or later, your SSDI benefits will not convert to retirement benefits until your 67th birthday. Full retirement ages for other birth years are: 1937 or earlier: 65 years old. 1938: 65 years 2 months old.

Is SSDI for life?

No, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are not automatically for life, but they can last until you reach full retirement age, at which point they convert to retirement benefits, or potentially longer if your disability is permanent and severe; however, the Social Security Administration (SSA) periodically reviews cases to ensure you still meet disability criteria, meaning benefits can stop if your condition improves, you return to substantial work, or engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA).
 

What Can Make You Lose Disability Benefits?

How long can a person be on SSDI?

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits generally last as long as you remain medically disabled and unable to work, but they convert to retirement benefits at your full retirement age (around 67), or can end if your condition improves, you return to substantial work, or you're incarcerated. The Social Security Administration (SSA) conducts periodic reviews, called Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs), to check your eligibility, with review frequency depending on the likelihood of medical improvement (e.g., every 3 or 7 years). 

What are the three ways you can lose your social security disability?

The termination of benefits in the Social Security disability program is based predominantly on four factors: conversion to the retirement program (that is, attainment of full retirement age), death, medical recovery, and work recovery.

At what age do they stop reviewing disability?

Social Security Disability reviews (CDRs) don't stop at a specific age but rather end when your SSDI benefits automatically convert to retirement benefits at your Full Retirement Age (FRA), typically between 66 and 67, at which point they become retirement benefits, not disability benefits. While reviews become less frequent as you age (often shifting to every 7 years after 55) and it gets harder to lose benefits, they continue until this conversion to retirement status. 

What changes are coming to social security disability in 2025?

For 2025, Social Security disability changes primarily involve annual inflation adjustments, increasing Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limits, Trial Work Period (TWP) amounts, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Federal Benefit Rates (FBR), alongside potential regulatory proposals from the Trump administration to tighten disability qualification rules, affecting earning thresholds for working and the frequency of medical reviews, though some of these proposed cuts faced pushback and potential shelving by late 2025. 

What is the downside of social security disability?

Negatives of getting Social Security Disability (SSD) include potentially low benefit amounts (often not enough to live on), significant health insurance gaps (Medicare starts 24 months late), the long and difficult application process, strict work/income limits, and potential loss of other benefits like SSI or Medicaid, plus the risk of reviews and overpayment issues. 

How often is SSDI reviewed?

Social Security Disability (SSDI) is reviewed through Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs), with the frequency depending on your medical condition's expected improvement: every 6-18 months if improvement is expected (MIE), every 3 years if improvement is possible (MIP), and every 5-7 years if improvement is not expected (MINE). The Social Security Administration (SSA) sends notices telling you when your review will occur, and they also check for non-medical factors like income and living arrangements. 

Why will some social security recipients get two checks in December?

Some Social Security recipients, specifically those receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), got two checks in December 2025 because January 1st, New Year's Day, is a federal holiday, causing the January 2026 payment to be moved up to December 31st, resulting in December's payment (Dec 1st) and January's payment (Dec 31st) both landing in December. This is a standard Social Security Administration (SSA) practice for SSI payments, not a bonus, ensuring funds are available before holidays or weekends. 

Do disability benefits last forever?

Generally, your disability benefits will continue as long as your medical condition has not improved and you can't work. Benefits won't necessarily continue indefinitely.

What triggers a continuing disability review?

A Continuing Disability Review (CDR) for Social Security benefits is triggered by routine scheduled reviews (based on expected medical improvement), you reporting improvement or returning to work, significant work activity showing up on your record, or third-party reports about improved condition or lack of treatment, plus new medical advancements can also prompt a review. Essentially, anything that suggests you might no longer meet the definition of disabled or you're no longer following the rules triggers the Social Security Administration (SSA) to check in. 

What is the highest Social Security check anyone can get?

The maximum Social Security benefit varies by retirement age, with the highest possible monthly amount in 2026 being around $5,181 if you wait until age 70, while claiming at Full Retirement Age (FRA) yields about $4,152, and claiming at age 62 results in approximately $2,969. To get the maximum, you must have earned the taxable maximum for at least 35 years, had significant earnings above the annual wage base ($184,500 in 2026), and delayed claiming benefits past your FRA. 

Is SSDI considered permanent disability?

No, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are not automatically permanent, though they can last indefinitely if your severe disability continues; however, the Social Security Administration (SSA) periodically reviews cases for medical improvement, returning to work, or substantial earnings, and benefits end at full retirement age (converting to retirement benefits) or for other reasons like incarceration.
 

Are people on disability getting any extra money in 2025?

Yes, disability payments went up in 2025 due to a 2.5% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), increasing both SSDI and SSI benefits starting in January 2025, with specific increases to federal SSI amounts like $967/month for individuals. The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced this adjustment in late 2024, affecting payments for 2025, while also noting a larger 2.8% COLA for 2026, which starts with payments in late December 2025 and January 2026. 

Who qualifies for an extra $144 added to their Social Security?

You qualify for an extra ~$144 on your Social Security check if you have a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan with a "Part B Giveback" benefit, which refunds some or all of your Medicare Part B premium, appearing as extra cash in your check, but eligibility depends on living in the plan's service area and paying your own Part B premiums. The "144" figure was common when the Part B premium was around that amount, but the actual refund varies by plan and location, potentially exceeding the full premium. 

What is the new adult disability payment?

Adult Disability Payment is a benefit for disabled working-age adults who live in Scotland. It's to help with the extra costs of being disabled or having a long-term health condition. It's paid by Social Security Scotland. Adult Disability Payment has replaced Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in Scotland.

At what age does SSDI convert to regular Social Security?

Your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) automatically changes to regular Social Security retirement benefits when you reach your Full Retirement Age (FRA), which is 66 for those born 1943-1959 and 67 for those born 1960 or later, with an increase from 66 to 67 phased in for birth years between 1955-1959, with the amount staying the same. 

Does everyone on disability get reviewed?

The law requires that we review your case from time to time to verify that you still have a disability. Generally, if your health hasn't improved, or if your disability still keeps you from working, you'll continue to receive your benefits.

How often is a CDR for SSDI?

We call this review a Continuing Disability Review (CDR). The law requires us to perform a medical CDR at least once every three years, however, if you have a medical condition that is not expected to improve, we will still review your case, once every five to seven years.

How much money can you have in the bank if you're on disability?

The savings you can have on disability benefits depend on the program: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) has no savings limit because it's work-based, but Supplemental Security Income (SSI) has strict limits, typically $2,000 in countable resources for individuals, though exceptions like ABLE accounts allow much more savings without losing benefits. 

What are the downsides of being on disability?

The Income is Modest

Disability benefits are a safety net, not a full income replacement. The monthly payments are typically much lower than what you earned while working. This is a big shock for many individuals receiving these benefits. For example, the average SSDI benefit is modest, which you must plan for.

What can reduce SSDI benefits?

Receiving SSI and SSDI while working

But the benefit amount you receive may be reduced depending on how much money you earn from your job. As of 2024, you may stop receiving SSDI benefits if you earn over $1,550 a month. But your eligibility to receive SSI while working will depend on which state you live in.