Many of our readers in Ohio know some of the basics about Social Security Disability benefits. They know that SSD benefits are administered by the Social Security Administration – the same agency that will administer their retirement benefits. And our readers likely know that the application process for SSD benefits can be arduous, and that many applications are initially denied. However, there are some more statistics that many people may not be aware of.
For instance, a recent article noted that of all of the workers in the American economy in the age range of 21 to 64, a whopping 90 percent are covered by the Social Security Disability system in the event of a long-term injury or illness leading to a physical or mental disability. This is an important level of potential financial security because, as the recent article also noted, an estimated 25 percent of workers who are now 20 years old will likely become disabled in some way before they reach the age of 67.
Next, the Social Security Administration is responsible for administering $955 billion in benefits as of 2017, which includes both retirement benefits and SSD benefits going to an estimated 62 million Americans. Of that total amount, 10.5 million were Americans who were receiving Social Security Disability benefits.
Many federal and state government leaders are quick to criticize the SSD benefit setup. They claim that efficiencies could be made to the process. But it is important to point out that, as these statistics show, the Social Security Disability system is an important financial resource for millions of Americans, and could be needed in the future by millions more.
Source: The Motley Fool, “12 Facts the Social Security Administration Wants You to Know,” Sean Williams, Aug. 28, 2017