A method and system for error correction decoding uses concatenated error correction decoders. A channel decoder receives encoded user data from a transmission channel, decodes the bits of the user data, and generates erasure information for the decoded bits. The decoded bits and erasure information is received by an outer ECC decoder, which first performs erasure decoding. If the erasure decoding is successful, then the decoded user data is output. If the erasure decoding is not successful, then the outer ECC decoder performs the more complex error decoding. Thus, error decoding need not be performed for user data that can be successfully decoded using erasure decoding. The extra operations required to perform error decoding is avoided. In this manner, the complexity of the overall decoding process is reduced, significantly reducing the computation power required, while maintaining the desired performance level.