I was disabled when I applied for social security at age 62. Should I have been given the whole amount of social security instead of the portion amount? What can I do now?

Q. I was disabled when I applied for social security at age 62. Should I have been given the whole amount of social security instead of the portion amount? What can I do now?

A. Social Security Disability Insurance beneficiaries receive their full benefit. If you are receiving a reduced benefit, it is likely you elected to receive reduced, early retirement benefits rather than disability benefits in order to receive the maximum family benefit payable on your Social Security earnings record. Disability Insurance has a much lower family maximum than retirement benefits.

If you are not yet full retirement age when your youngest child reaches age 16 and/or is the only dependent still eligible for a benefit, you will want to ask the Social Security Administration to return you to the Disability Insurance benefit rolls.