United States Social Security retirement benefits can come in different categories. The most common are Disability checks and Age Retirement checks. While it is true that in this case one of these payments is usually larger than the other, it is also true that it all depends on each individual situation.
An American who has a Disability check will probably have a smaller monthly check than a citizen who has a retirement payment after working for many years. But, as we have already discussed, this may not be the case. Since each case is totally individual, the payments are different for each citizen.
What is certain is that the maximum Disability check is less than the maximum Social Security Age Retirement check. The SSDI maximum is $3,822 in 2024 while the maximum age retirement payment can reach $4,873 per month. But not all Americans can have the maximum monthly check.
Differences between the Disability payment and Social Security retirement
The main difference between Disability payments and Social Security retirement is the requirements. While an age-based retirement check requires 40 work credits and age 62, SSDI payments do not require as many conditions.
In order to apply for a Disability payment, it is necessary, in most cases, to have worked half of the last 10 years. As mentioned above, each case is completely individual and some people may have different requirements.
But for the same reason, the check for SSDI payments is less than the retirement payment. At the end of the day, people who are forced to apply for an SSDI payment have not contributed as much as retirement beneficiaries. And because they have paid less in taxes, it is common for them to get a smaller check in the future.
Payments Supplementing the Disability Check
However, if we take into account that the Disability payment is less than the usual retirement check we should also keep in mind that citizens with a disability benefit have access to other supplemental checks.
While a retiree can only claim Supplemental Security Income if he or she has reached age 65, SSDI beneficiaries can claim a check at any age. As with other benefits, the amount of SSI depends on the individual’s situation.
It is also possible to claim other extra payments such as SNAP Food Stamps or a one-time stimulus check, although the latter are not currently available in most U.S. states. The ideal in these cases is to check all the requirements of each one of the complementary checks and apply for them from the first moment we can do it. Only in this way will we be able to enjoy a better retirement due to disability.
