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We develop methodology to identify medical eligibility for Social Security's Disability programs using publicly available data. Using a structural model of Social Security's disability determination process estimated on a sample of applicants, we make out-of-sample predictions of medical eligibility for non-beneficiaries in the general population aged 18-64. This methodology defines an observable, publicly-available indicator of disability consistent with Social Security's definition. This would be useful in a wide number of applications and may be of particular interest to empirical labor economists. We find that 2.9% of this population were medically eligible but not receiving disability benefits early in 1992. Our methodology permits use of publicly available survey data to analyze medical criteria that determine who receives disability benefits. We consider effects of sample selection adjustments, sample restrictions, and several methods of estimating eligibility from continuous probabilities. Our preferred measure outperforms the conventional single variable model based on the 'prevented' measure.

Summary and Introduction The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA), is the income source of last resort for the low-income aged, blind, and disabled. [...]

We model the Social Security administration's (SSA's) disability determination process using household survey information exact matched to SSA administrative information on disability determinations. Survey information on health activity limitations, demographic [...]

Policies that would reduce or eliminate Social Security benefits for early retirees could have adverse consequences for older workers in poor health. This article documents the health and financial circumstances [...]

Policy Analysis Through Microsimulation: The STATS Model How would elderly widows be affected if lawmakers were to enact a specified change in the income tax treatment of Social Security benefits? [...]

The article focuses on a study which analyzes the redistributional, poverty and incentive effects of benefit restructuring options which, according to the author, remove all in-kind support and maintenance (ISM) reduction, ensuring the simplification of the U.S. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. It notes that the SSI is defined as the income source of last resort for the poor aged, blind and disabled. It cites that the SSI paid $38 billion in benefits in 2006 to about 7 million recipients monthly.

Focuses on the different roles of the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance program and the Disability Insurance program for health-impaired individuals aged 62 to 64 in the United States. Overview of health and beneficiary status of persons aged 62 to 64; Family income and poverty status; Health insurance coverage.

The tax-free status of many fringe benefits under both the income tax and social security tax--in conjunction with the past and projected growth of such benefits--has had important effects on [...]