Many people who have qualified for Social Security disability benefits are unsure about their decisions later in life, especially when the possibility of pensions and retirement benefits come into question. These people depend on their disability benefits and want to make sure they do not jeopardize their qualifications.
Fortunately, most pensions will not affect Social Security disability benefits. In no circumstances will they prevent a person from qualifying for benefits in the first place. However, in some cases certain kinds of pensions can cause your benefits to be reduced. Benefits may be reduced if you obtain a pension from a government job or a job for which you did not pay social security taxes. In most cases, your benefits will not be affected if you receive a pension from a position to which you paid Social Security taxes. The only reason you might have to pay taxes on Social Security benefits is if your total income as an individual is more than $25,000 (or $32,000 for a couple).
If you obtain a pension at any point while still receiving Social Security, you should immediately notify the Social Security Administration (SSA). If you have questions about qualifying or applying for disability benefits, contact a Tulsa Social Security disability lawyer to learn more about your rights and options. We offer free evaluations of your case and you can also reach us by phone at (918) 265-1404.