survey_summary

New Survey Findings from the Council for Disability Awareness

Introduction

With the average age of the American worker on the rise, the number of employees experiencing a long-term disability – one that keeps them out of work for three months or longer – is increasing rapidly. According to the Social Security Administration, the number of disabled workers in America has risen by 35 percent since 2000. But are U.S. workers aware of their risk of becoming disabled? And are they preparing themselves and their families for the significant financial impact of a long-term disability?

Survey Overview

To find out, the Council for Disability Awareness (CDA) conducted a survey in January and February of 2007 that explored disability awareness and preparedness among the American workforce. CDA worked with the research firm StrategyOne to conduct a 15-minute telephone survey of 1,000 working American adults ages 18 to 65. The margin of error for the sample size was +/-3.1 percentage points at the 95% level of confidence. The survey revealed that most workers grossly underestimate their chances of becoming disabled and haven’t considered the financial impact of a disability. These statistics are alarming, given that three out of every 10 workers between the ages of 25 and 65 will experience an accident or illness that keeps them out of work for three months or longer.¹

Key Findings²

Disability Not Top of Mind
The survey demonstrated that the possibility of becoming disabled isn’t on the mind of most American workers.

• The majority of workers (56 percent) don’t realize that the chance of becoming disabled has risen over the past five years.
• Nine out of 10 workers vastly underestimate their own chances of becoming disabled.
• Eighty-five percent of workers expressed little or no concern that they may suffer a disability of three months or longer.
• When asked why they hadn’t discussed how to manage the financial impact of a potential disability, 38 percent of respondents said they “haven’t really thought about it.”

Financial Security at Risk for the Unprepared
The survey also showed that most workers haven’t taken effective measures to prepare themselves and their families for the potential financial hardship of a long-term disability.

• Nearly 60 percent of workers have not discussed how they would manage an income-limiting disability.
• Nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of respondents with 401k or IRA plans are unaware of what would happen to their retirement savings should they become disabled and unable to earn an income.

The survey also found that workers may have unrealistic expectations of how they would be covered if they became disabled. One-quarter of respondents (26 percent) said if they were unable to earn an income for six months or longer as a result of a disability, they would rely on Social Security or workers’ compensation.

However, the vast majority of income-limiting accidents or illnesses don’t occur on the job, making workers’ compensation inapplicable. Social Security may not be adequate either, as less than half (39 percent) of the 2.1 million workers who applied for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits in 2005 were approved.³

Women More Aware, Less Prepared
When analyzed by gender, the survey data revealed that women are more aware than men of the threat of disability, but are still not taking steps to prepare themselves financially.

• Working women are more aware than men that disability is on the rise (53 percent versus 35 percent).
• Nearly half of female workers (49 percent) expressed concern that they might suffer a disability of three months or longer.
• Only 38 percent of female workers have discussed how they would manage an income-limiting disability.

Confidence in Planning Ahead
The survey, however, found that more than 80 percent of workers who have planned financially for a disability are confident about their ability to maintain their current lifestyle if a disability strikes.

Implications

By underestimating the chances of becoming disabled and failing to plan effectively, workers risk serious financial repercussions. Between high medical bills and lost income, an accident or illness that causes a long-term absence from work can drain a family’s savings. In fact, more than half of all personal bankruptcies and mortgage foreclosures are due to medical expenses and disability.⁴

Moreover, although the majority of workers who have planned ahead feel confident about their ability to maintain their current financial lifestyle if they experience a disability, data reveal that many of these individuals may be overestimating their confidence level.

In reality, in today’s unstable economic environment, most Americans cannot afford to become disabled. For example, the average household credit card debt is at an all-time high of $9,300, and Americans’ savings rate is the lowest it has been in 73 years.⁵

The survey underscores a critical need to better inform America’s workforce about the likelihood of experiencing a disability, as well as steps workers can take to protect their finances in case a disability does occur.

Effective planning measures can include the following:

1. Take preventive health measures to reduce the chances of experiencing a disability;
2. Begin to discuss how an income-limiting disability would impact your current financial situation;
3. Take steps to understand what financial resources would become available to you should disability strike -social security, workers’ comp, employee sick leave and disability benefits;
4. Take advantage of disability programs offered through employment or purchased individually.

With proper planning, American workers can reduce their chances of becoming disabled and improve their chances of financial stability should a disability strike.

For more information on resources that can help you assess your current financial situation and plan to enhance your financial security, visit the CDA Web site, www.disabilitycanhappen.org.

References:

APPENDIX A
“2007 Disability Awareness Survey” Results

 2.How concerned are you about becoming disabled, that is, too sick or injured to work for a period of at least three months or longer during your working career?

According to the Social Security Administration, 3 in 10 workers entering the workforce today will become disabled for at least three months before age 67.

According to American Health Insurance Plans, one in seven workers will experience a disability lasting at least five years.

According to the Social Security Administration, the rate of workers becoming disabled has increased 26 percent over the past five years.

According to the CDA 2006 Long-term Disability Claims Review, back, muscle and joint problems are the leading causes of long-term disability.

9.If your salary or wages stopped for a period of 6 months or longer because you were disabled and too sick or injured to work, how would you continue to pay for your living expenses such as rent or mortgage, food, transportation and medical expenses?

10. Now, thinking about saving for retirement?. Are you currently participating in a 401k or IRA plan? (IF NO, SKIP TO Q11)

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