Q. I have been on social security disability since September 2006. I will reach full retirement age in October 2013. Will the amount of social security disability benefits I am now receiving remain the same or will I be entitled to the rate I would have received had I not been on social security disability.
A. When your Disability Insurance benefit was initially processed, your monthly benefit amount was determined as if you had reached retirement age on the date you became disabled. Because of your disability, you are already receiving your full benefit.
The only change that will take place the month you reach full retirement age is that your Disability Insurance benefit will automatically convert to a retirement benefit. Disability benefits are paid from the Disability Insurance Trust Fund; retirement benefits are paid from the Old Age and Survivors Insurance trust fund. The change is essentially an in-house bookkeeping adjustment.