Can Social Security Disability be claimed after age 60?

Yes. A disability claim can be filed at any age before full retirement age, and a worker in the early sixties often has the strongest vocational position.

How age helps. Social Security treats 60 and older as "closely approaching retirement age," the most favorable age category. For a worker limited to sedentary or light work, particularly one whose skills do not transfer to other work, the medical-vocational rules can direct a finding of disabled. See how age affects a claim.

Coverage. SSDI requires enough recent work. A worker who stopped working several years ago should check the date last insured, because coverage can have run out. See date last insured.

The medical record. Records still decide the claim. A treating provider's statement on specific limits, and continued treatment, matter as much as at any age. See residual functional capacity.

The retirement alternative. At 62, early retirement is an option, but it reduces the benefit permanently; SSDI does not. The choice is covered in SSDI vs. early retirement at 62.

The cutoff. A disability claim has to rest on a disability that began before full retirement age. After that, benefits are paid as retirement benefits. See SSDI at full retirement age.

See hearing representation and how a claim works.