Research Report Impact of Federal Policies on an Aging Workforce with Disabilities
Richard W. Johnson
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This review of federal policy toward older workers with disabilities highlights the work disincentives built into the Social Security Disability Insurance (DI) system. For example, DI does not pay benefits or provide rehabilitation services until workers are fully disabled, by which time intervention is often too late to promote employment. Because partial benefits are unavailable, DI beneficiaries risk losing all cash benefits (and eventually Medicare coverage) by earning just a dollar more than the earnings limit, reducing the use of DI work supports. Rules governing Social Security retirement, Medicare, and phased retirement also discourage employment by older adults with disabilities.

Research Areas Health and health care Aging and retirement Disability equity policy
Tags Social Security Older workers Disability and long-term care Pensions Disabilities and employment Health insurance Retirement policy
Policy Centers Income and Benefits Policy Center