On the Connect Board, JOA writes about the RIB/DIB connection:
. . . [C]ombined applications are very common. They’re called “rib/dib” claims. There are special calculations done for “dib after rib.” The basic rule is that there is no actual reduction for any month for which you are entitled to a disability benefit. The opposite side of that rule is that if you are paid retirement benefits for a month for which you do NOT later turn out to be entitled to disability benefits, then you’re stuck with a reduction for that month.
Let’s say you file for RIB and DIB together. The RIB comes first. Let’s say it’s reduced based on entitlement 36 months before full retirement age. Let’s suppose that later on you are found disabled as of a date that makes you entitled to DIB for 30 of those 36 months. Your DIB is reduced only for the 6 months of RIB you got prior to the point of being entitled to DIB.
You can read more about this at Peter Young’s Golden Nugget page.
And here are relevant sections of the POMS:
DI 52001.115 (Considering the Retirement Insurance Benefit Option) and
RS 00615.482 (Requirements for Reduction Factor Adjustments — Crediting Months)
See also DI 52001.000 (WC/PDB Policies and Procedures)
