Is It Possible to Switch From Social Security Retirement Benefits to Disability Benefits?

On This Page

1. What Is the Difference Between Retirement Benefits and Disability Benefits?
2. What Is the Average Payment?
3. Qualifying for Disability Benefits
4. How Do You Apply for Disability Benefits?
5. What if the SSA Denies Your Disability Application?
6. Contact Berger and Green for Help With Your Social Security Benefits 

REVIEWED BY

C. William Kenny

Board certified by National Board of Trial Advocacy

It is generally not possible to switch from retirement benefits to disability benefits once you reach full retirement age. However, if you began receiving early retirement benefits and later became disabled prior to reaching full retirement age, you may be able to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance and receive a higher benefit amount.

A Pittsburgh Social Security Disability lawyer from Berger and Green can help you understand the differences between retirement benefits and disability benefits and answer any additional questions you may have.

What Is the Difference Between Retirement Benefits and Disability Benefits?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) pays retirement benefits to workers who contributed to the Social Security system via taxes on their wages or self-employment income. Workers who paid into Social Security can start receiving benefits as early as age 62. However, the amount of monthly benefits will be reduced if you start to collect retirement benefits before you reach full retirement age.

Disability benefits provide payments to individuals who cannot earn a substantial income because of an injury, illness, or physical disability. The SSA oversees two separate disability programs:

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provides payments to individuals with qualifying disabilities who have extremely limited income and financial resources. 
• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides a safety net for workers who have contributed to Social Security. Disabled workers with qualifying conditions can get SSDI if they have enough recently earned work credits (usually 20 credits or five years of work). If you are receiving these disability benefits before full retirement age, your benefits will convert into retirement benefits when you are of full retirement age. This will not change how much you receive.

Disability Benefits After Early Retirement: What You Need to Know

If you began receiving Social Security retirement benefits before reaching your full retirement age and you later become disabled, it may be advantageous to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). That’s because SSDI pays the same monthly amount as you would receive at full retirement age, without the early retirement reduction. 

For example, if you retire at age 62 (the earliest age allowed), your retirement benefits may be significantly reduced. However, if you become disabled and qualify for SSDI, your monthly payments will reflect your full, unreduced retirement benefit.

Additionally, if you qualify for SSDI after taking early retirement, you may be eligible for retroactive disability benefits starting from the established onset date of your disability, which can provide back pay and increase your total benefit amount.

What Is the Average Payment?

According to the SSA, the average disability payment for SSDI was around $1,581 per month as of May 2025. The maximum monthly payment for SSI in 2025 is $967 for an individual.

Both SSI and SSDI recipients cannot receive benefits if they can perform substantial gainful activity (SGA) by working. The 2025 monthly SGA amount is $1,620 a month for the non-blind and $2,700 for the blind.

Retirement benefits vary depending on the amount of your Social Security contributions and your retirement age. According to the SSA’s 2025 Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) Fact Sheet, the maximum amount a retired person can receive in Social Security is $3,822 per month. However, the average payment of all disabled workers was estimated to be $1,580 per month as of January 2025.

Qualifying for Disability Benefits

To qualify for disability benefits after taking early retirement, you must have a qualifying condition. The Blue Book lists eligible conditions and medical criteria. They include, but are not limited to:

• Cancer
• Chronic heart failure
• Hearing and vision impairments
• Epilepsy
• Traumatic brain injuries 
• Chronic respiratory disorders
• Leukemia
• Endocrine disorders
• Immune system disorders
• Mental disorders

How Do You Apply for Disability Benefits?

You must complete the appropriate application and prove that you have a disability that prevents you from performing work-related activities for at least 12 months. This will require answering a lot of questions about your disability, work history, and wages. 

You will need to supply the SSA with:

• Your birth certificate (or proof of United States citizenship if you weren’t born in the U.S.)
• W-2s
• A completed Adult Disability Report
• Pay stubs
• Award letters, settlement agreements, or proof of workers’ compensation benefits
• Medical records
• Doctors’ reports
• Laboratory test results
• Diagnostic imaging results (such as MRIs, CT scans, and X-rays)

What if the SSA Denies Your Disability Application?

Filing for benefits can be complicated, and many individuals seeking SSDI find themselves faced with denials. If you find yourself in this situation, you can file an appeal. The appeals process begins with a request for reconsideration of your initial application. From there, it could move on to a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), an Appeals Council review, or even a civil court action. 

Working through an appeal is even more complex than an initial filing, and the process may involve questioning witnesses or submitting new medical evidence. An attorney with our firm can review your disability application and represent you in any appeals proceedings. 

Contact Berger and Green for Help With Your Social Security Benefits 

We have a successful track record of helping clients across Pennsylvania and Ohio secure Social Security Disability benefits. If you want assistance evaluating your initial application, want a lawyer to help with your appeal, or have questions about eligibility for retirement or disability benefits, reach out to our team today.