How Age Plays a Role in Social Security Disability Determinations

Age can be a significant factor when a Social Security Administration adjudicator determines if a claimant is disabled.  Generally speaking the younger the claimant, the more difficult it is for the claimant to receive Social Security disability benefits.

The Social Security Administration has created four age categories:

• Claimants under 50 are defined as Younger Individuals
• Claimants 50 to 54 are defined as a person Closely Approaching Advanced Age
• Claimants 55 to 59 are defined as a person of Advanced Age
• Claimants 60 and older are defined as a person Closely Approaching Retirement Age

For a Younger Person, the Social Security Administration does not believe that age plays a significant role in the claimant’s ability to adjust to work.  For a person Closely Approaching Advanced Age, the Social Security Administration considers the claimant’s age along with severe impairments and limited work experience may significantly affect their ability to adjust to other work.  For a person of Advanced Age or Closely Approaching Retirement Age, the Social Security Administration has determined that age can significantly affect a claimant’s ability to adjust to other work.