TN 18 (08-04)

Policy

1. What is Freeze Insured Status?

A NH has freeze insured status in a quarter if he/she:

1. Has at least 20 QC's in a period of 40 consecutive calendar quarters ending with that quarter; (see RS 00301.140 for alternative applicable to disability before age 31; see RS 00301.150 for statutory blindness exception); and

2. Is fully insured (see RS 00301.105).

IMPORTANT: If the worker is an alien whose SSN was first assigned on or after January 1, 2004, then he/she must meet additional requirements under Section 211 of the Social Security Protection Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-203), to be insured and to establish entitlement based on his/her earnings. See RS 00301.102 for a full discussion of these requirements.

2. Retirement Age for Fully Insured Status

1. Female's retirement age is 62.

2. Male's retirement age :

   • born 1/2/1913 or later is 62

   • born 1/2/1911 to 1/1/1913 is deemed to have attained retirement age of 62 in 1975

   • born 1/1/1911 or earlier - is age 65.

3. Effect of DDS Determination On Freeze

A NH may have freeze insured status in the quarter of alleged onset of disability but may not be insured in the quarter of onset established by the Disability Determination Services (DDS). A freeze will not be established if insured status is last met in any quarter before the quarter of disability established by the DDS.