Earnings after DI: evidence from full medical continuing disability reviews
Jeffrey Hemmeter, Michelle Bailey
Abstract
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Jeffrey Hemmeter, Michelle Bailey
Abstract
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Abstract Social Security Disability Insurance beneficiaries undergo periodic medical reviews to determine if they continue to be eligible for disability benefits. We examine how these reviews affect beneficiary well-being by using administrative data to track the earnings of beneficiaries for up to 5 years after their reviews. We estimate that a sizeable percentage of beneficiaries would work if their benefits were ceased in a medical review. However, many appear to be unable to maintain employment: only one in three would have earnings over the full follow-up period. Further, far fewer would reach any of several measures of earnings sufficiency. JEL codes: H51, H53, I38, J14
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Abstract Social Security Disability Insurance beneficiaries undergo periodic medical reviews to determine if they continue to be eligible for disability benefits. We examine how these reviews affect beneficiary well-being by using administrative data to track the earnings of beneficiaries for up to 5 years after their reviews. We estimate that a sizeable percentage of beneficiaries would work if their benefits were ceased in a medical review. However, many appear to be unable to maintain employment: only one in three would have earnings over the full follow-up period. Further, far fewer would reach any of several measures of earnings sufficiency. JEL codes: H51, H53, I38, J14
Key concepts: Earnings, Beneficiary, Disability insurance, Social security, Social policy, Disability benefits, Work (physics), Business