Pressing Questions about Social Security Disability

11/08/08

Q: Should I apply for social security disability benefits under my social security account or my deceased spouse's?

A: For most social security disability applicants, the goal is to get the largest payment possible. Sometimes the largest social security disability payment will come from the survivor's benefits you receive from a deceased spouse's account. Other times, the largest payment will come from your own account. Either way, you have to choose which payment is highest, as you cannot have both.

When deciding if you want to apply under a spouse's account or your own, calculating the highest social security disability payment is an obvious first step. The wisest thing is to consult the Social Security Administration to figure out under which account your payments would be higher. Depending on your age, level of ability or disability, and your years of work, it is possible to receive higher payments on your own, or via a deceased spouse's account. If you do apply for survivor's benefits, you will generally receive full benefits if you are at full retirement age or older at the date of application (or over 50 and disabled). If you are not disabled, you can get anywhere from 71 to 99 percent of your spouse's benefits before you reach retirement, as long as you are 60 years old or older.

Q: I currently get my benefits from social security disability, but I want to switch to social security retirement.

A: Generally, if you receive social security disability benefits, those benefits will be transferred to retirement benefits upon reaching retirement age. Most people who get social security disability have to do little or nothing to bring about the transfer. Consult the Social Security Administration or talk to a lawyer for information about transferring from social security disability to retirement.

Q: I heard the everyone has their social security disability application denied by the SSA the first time they apply. Is that true?

A: You have probably heard comments and complaints from many social security disability applicants that their claims are constantly denied; but in reality, not all first applications are rejected. The Social Security Administration has no policy or regulation stating that all first applicants should be denied. That said, it is true that many first applications are denied, and that approvals tend to result from the appeals process.

Nationwide, 70% or so of social security disability claimants are denied on their first application. The biggest problem with this is that many who see their claims rejected do not know what to do improve their chances of being approved on the next application. Since most social security disability approvals happen through appeal, it is key to have knowledge of the ins and out of the appeals process. Consult the Social Security Administration or a social security disability expert for more information.

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