How Age Affects a Social Security Disability Claim

A person of any age may qualify for Social Security disability benefits. However, age can play an important role in how the Social Security Administration evaluates an adult disability claim—particularly when the applicant cannot perform past work but may have the capacity to perform other work.

Social Security generally follows a five-step evaluation process. At an earlier step, an applicant may qualify by meeting or medically equaling the requirements of a condition included in Social Security’s Listing of Impairments, commonly known as the Listings. When a claimant meets a Listing, age, education, and work experience generally do not determine the outcome.

Many applicants, however, have serious medical conditions that do not satisfy every requirement of a Listing. In those cases, Social Security evaluates the applicants:

·         Residual functional capacity

·         Age

·         Education

·         Past work experience

·         Acquired job skills and whether those skills transfer to other work

What Is Residual Functional Capacity?

A person’s residual functional capacity, or RFC, is an assessment of the most work-related activity the individual can still perform on a regular and continuing basis despite physical and mental limitations.

Depending on the evidence, an RFC may address limitations involving:

·         Sitting, standing, and walking

·         Lifting and carrying

·         Reaching, handling, and using the hands

·         Concentration and memory

·         Interaction with other people

·         Attendance, pace, and the ability to manage workplace stress

Social Security uses the RFC to determine whether the applicant can return to past relevant work. If not, the agency considers whether the applicant can adjust to other work that exists in significant numbers in the national economy.

The Medical-Vocational Guidelines

At the final step of the disability analysis, Social Security may use the Medical-Vocational Guidelines, often called the Grids.

The Grids combine a claimant’s RFC with age, education, and previous work experience. They are primarily designed for claims involving exertional limitations—that is, limitations affecting a person’s ability to meet the strength requirements of sedentary, light, or medium work.

When significant non-exertional limitations are also present, such as difficulty concentrating, using the hands, maintaining attendance, or interacting with others, the Grids may serve only as a framework rather than directly deciding the case.

Social Security’s Age Categories

Under Social Security’s current rules, adult claimants are generally placed into the following age categories:

Younger Person: Under Age 50

Social Security generally does not consider age by itself to seriously affect a person’s ability to adjust to other work before age 50.

Within this category, the agency sometimes identifies people ages 45 through 49 as “younger individuals age 45–49” when applying particular vocational rules. However, ages 45–49 are not a separate primary age category under the governing regulation.

Closely Approaching Advanced Age: Ages 50–54

Social Security recognizes that age, when combined with a severe impairment and limited work experience, may seriously affect the ability of a person between ages 50 and 54 to adjust to other work.

The Grids may therefore become more favorable beginning at age 50, particularly when the person is limited to sedentary work and does not have job skills that readily transfer to other employment.

Advanced Age: Age 55 or Older

Social Security considers age 55 or older to significantly affect a person’s ability to adjust to new work.

At this age, the rules may be more favorable for an applicant who is limited to light or sedentary work, depending on the person’s education, past work, and transferable skills.

Closely Approaching Retirement Age: Age 60 or Older

People age 60 or older are a special subgroup within the advanced-age category. Social Security applies additional restrictions when deciding whether skills acquired in past work can transfer to other employment.

For claimants in this category, any proposed new work may need to be sufficiently similar to prior work that very little vocational adjustment would be required.

Why Age 50 Can Be Important

The Medical-Vocational Guidelines are often more favorable after age 50 because Social Security recognizes that adjusting to an entirely different type of work may become more difficult as a person ages.

For example, a person between ages 50 and 54 who cannot perform past work and is limited to sedentary work may qualify under a Grid rule depending on education, work history, and transferable skills. At age 55 or older, some applicants limited to light work may also qualify under the Grids.

However, reaching age 50, 55, or 60 does not automatically establish disability. Social Security must still evaluate:

·         The severity and expected duration of the medical conditions

·         The applicant’s RFC

·         The physical and mental demands of past work

·         Education and literacy

·         Whether past work provided transferable skills

·         Whether other suitable work exists in significant numbers

Borderline-Age Situations

Social Security’s rules state that age categories should not be applied mechanically in a borderline-age situation.

A borderline-age issue may arise when an applicant is within a few days or months of the next age category and using the higher category would change the outcome of the claim. Social Security must consider whether the overall vocational circumstances justify using the higher age category.

The agency does not automatically move every applicant into the next category. The complete record—including RFC, education, work history, and ability to adjust to other work—must support that determination.

Age Is Important, but It Is Only One Factor

Age may significantly affect a Social Security disability decision, but it cannot be considered by itself. A successful claim must be supported by medical evidence establishing functional limitations that prevent the applicant from performing past work and, when applicable, adjusting to other work.

Whether you are applying for benefits for the first time or appealing a denial, a careful analysis of your medical evidence, RFC, work history, education, transferable skills, and correct age category can make an important difference.

Our office is located in Vacaville, California, and assists clients throughout surrounding communities, including Fairfield, Davis, Winters, Vallejo, Benicia, and Rio Vista. We carefully review every relevant factor to ensure that your disability claim is fully and accurately presented.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice, medical advice, or a substitute for professional guidance. Reading this article does not create a representative-client relationship. Social Security laws, regulations, policies, and procedures may change over time, and the information presented may not reflect the most current legal or administrative developments. Every case is unique. If you have questions about your specific situation, you should consult with a qualified Social Security disability representative or attorney before making any decisions.