Why Are More People Claiming Disability Insurance and What Should Be Done About It?

Applications for Social Security Disability Insurance have increased in recent years. What does this increase imply for the program overall, and particularly for its funding over the long term? Was this increase anticipated, or was it surprising? Does it affect the effectiveness of the program? This forum will address these questions and present varied perspectives about the causes and consequences of changes in the DI caseload. Speakers will discuss past trends in disability claims; differing perspectives on why the rolls have grown; implications for the effectiveness of the DI program; and implications for the economic security of the disabled.

Presenters:

• Stephen C. Goss, Chief Actuary, Social Security Administration
  Restructuring Disability Benefits
• Lisa Ekman, Senior Policy Advisor, Health and Disability Advocates
  Growth in the SSDI Roles
• David Stapleton, Director, Center for Studying Disability Policy, Mathematica Policy Research
  Why Are More People Claiming Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits?

Discussants:   

• Marty Ford, Director, Public Policy Office, The Arc of the United States
• Tony Young, Senior Public Policy Strategist, NISH

Moderator:     

• Mark Miller, Reuters

This forum builds on the standing-room-only roundtable event, "Increasing Rolls in Disability Insurance: Policy Perspectives," held on January 27, 2012, at NASI's annual conference.