Editor’s Note: After a long career in the data processing industry, Russell Gloor joined the Association of Mature American Citizens in 2013. Gloor received training from the National Social Security Association and was accredited by the NSSA® as a Social Security adviser in 2016. Currently part of the AMAC Foundation’s Social Security Advisory team, he annually counsels thousands of American seniors about their Social Security options. In addition to answering Social Security questions daily, he also authors the AMAC Foundation’s nationally syndicated weekly “Ask Rusty” advice column and has written three Social Security instructional books about Social Security.

Dear Rusty: Should I take my Social Security now at age 62, or wait till I am 65? I’ve been collecting Social Security disability due to health issues and was curious if I should wait or claim my regular Social Security retirement benefits now. Signed: Disabled but Wondering

Dear Disabled but Wondering: If you are now collecting Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits and you are still disabled, it would be a disadvantage to claim your Social Security retirement benefits at this time (age 62), or even at age 65. That’s because your SSDI benefit is the same as your full retirement age (FRA) amount, as calculated for you at the point you became disabled.

Born after 1959, your FRA is age 67, but you are already receiving your FRA benefit while on Social Security disability even though you have not yet reached your full retirement age. That full SSDI benefit will automatically convert to become your Social Security retirement benefit when you reach your full retirement age.

If you were to claim your normal Social Security retirement benefit any earlier than your Social Security full retirement age of 67, the amount you get would be reduced for claiming early.

At your current age, you would likely get between 75% and 80% of what you are now receiving on SSDI (depending on your exact age in the month you claim), and at age 65 you would get about 87% of what you are now receiving on Social Security disability.

In other words, as long as your disability continues and you remain eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, you should not switch to your normal Social Security retirement benefit, because you would get less money. And the resulting benefit reduction would be permanent.

This article is intended for information purposes only and does not represent legal or financial guidance. It presents the opinions and interpretations of the AMAC Foundation’s staff, trained and accredited by the National Social Security Association. NSSA® and the AMAC Foundation and its staff are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other governmental entity. To submit a question, visit their website (amacfoundation.org/programs/social-security-advisory) or email ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org.