Need for Protection

A disability can happen to anyone...at any time.

At age 40, the average worker faces only a 14% chance of dying before age 65 but a 21 percent chance of being disabled for 90 days or more.
- Insurance Information Institute, www.iii.org November, 2005

A 20-year old worker has a 30% chance of becoming disabled before retirement age, and only a 17% chance of dying before age 65.
- Social Security Administration Disability Benefits Publication; National Vital Statistics Report, 1999

51.2 million Americans have some level of disability. They represent 18% of the population.
- U.S. Census Bureau, July, 2006

The number of disabled workers in America has risen by 35% since 2000.
- Social Security Administration, 2007

In 2007, 12.8% of people ages 21-64 surveyed have a disabling illness.
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2007

You have a 1 in 21 chance that you'll have a disabling accident.
- 2005 Field Guide to Estate Planning, Business Planning &Employee Benefits, by Donald Cady

In the U.S., a disabling injury occurs every 1 second, a fatal injury occurs every 4 minutes.
- National Safety Council®, Injury Facts® 2008 Ed.

In the last 10 minutes, 498 Americans became disabled.
- National Safety Council®, Injury Facts® 2008 Ed.

In the home, a fatal injury occurs every 12 minutes and a disabling injury every 3 seconds.
- National Safety Council®, Injury Facts® 2008 Ed.

There is a death caused by a motor vehicle crash every 12 minutes; there is a disabling injury every 13 seconds.
- National Safety Council®, Injury Facts® 2008 Ed.

Almost 3 in 10 workers entering the workforce today will become disabled before retirement.
- Social Security Administration, Fact Sheet, January 31, 2007

In 2007, the employment rate of working-age people with disabilities in the U.S. was 36.9%.
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2007

43% of all people age 40 will have a long-term disability event prior to age 65.
- JHA Disability Fact Book, 2006

A new Harvard University report reveals that 62% of all personal bankruptcies filed in the U.S. in 2007 were due to an inability to pay for medical expenses.
- June 4, 2009. The American Journal of Medicine.

Unfortunately, most Americans have little understanding of the likelihood of experiencing a disability. A recent CDA survey of workers found:

• 90% underestimate their own chances of becoming disabled.
• 85% express little or no concern that they might suffer a disability lasting three months or longer.
• 56% do not realize that the chances of becoming disabled have risen over the past five years.

- Council for Disability Awareness, 2007 Disability Awareness Survey

Causes of Disability

Illnesses generally cause disabilities, not accidents.

Over 85% of disabling accidents and illnesses are not work related.
- National Safety Council®, Injury Facts® 2008 Ed.

While many people think that disabilities are typically caused by freak accidents, the majority of long-term absences are actually due to illnesses, such as cancer and heart disease.
- Life and Health Insurance Foundation for Education November, 2005

Stroke is a leading cause of serious long-term disability.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2007

Disability Duration

An average disability may last longer than you think.

The average duration of a long-term disability is 30 months.
- JHA Disability Fact Book, 2006

Nearly 1 in 5 Americans will become disabled for 1 year or more before the age of 65.
- Life and Health Insurance Foundation for Education. November 2005

Three out of 10 workers between the ages of 25 - 65 will experience an accident or illness that keeps them out of work for 3 months or longer.
- Social Security Administration, Fact Sheet, January 31, 2007

Nearly 1 in 3 Americans ages 35-65 will become disabled for more than 90 days.
- 2005 Field Guide tEstate Planning, Business Planning &Employee Benefits, by Donald Cady

Misconceptions

Common back-up plans to loss of income may not be an option.

More than 1 in 5 adults believe that unemployment or Social Security will cover them if they become disabled.
- Disability Literacy: How Consumers Rate Today, April 2005, The Hartford

Less than half, 39%, of the 2.1 million workers who applied for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits in 2005 were approved.
- Social Security Administration, Office of Disability and Income Security Programs

The average monthly SSDI benefit is $1,004.
- Social Security Administration, Fact Sheet 2008

In 2007, the percentage of working-age people with disabilities receiving SSDI payments in the US was 17.1%.
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2007

Over 85% of disabling accidents and illnesses are not work related, and therefore not covered by workers' compensation.
- National Safety Council®, Injury Facts® 2008 Ed.

Over 6.8 million workers are receiving SSDI benefits, almost half are under age 50. This represents only 13% of the over 51 million Americans classified as disabled.
- Social Security Administration, Fact Sheet 2007