When I was 32, I was on Social Security Disability Insurance for a period of five years. I then returned to the work force.

Q. When I was 32, I was on Social Security Disability Insurance for a period of five years. I then returned to the work force. In calculating my retirement benefits under Social Security, how is the five year period treated wherein I received Social Security disability benefits?

A. Years in which Social Security Disability Insurance benefits are paid are excluded when determining Social Security retirement benefits.

Ordinarily, Social Security retirement benefits are calculated on the basis of a worker’s 35 highest years of earnings (after old earnings are indexed to bring them up to date). If you received disability benefits for five years, your retirement benefit will be based on your 30 highest years of indexed earnings.