Recovery of disabled beneficiaries: a 1975 followup study of 1972 allowances

In recent years, the number of persons awarded disabled-worker benefits has rapidly increased, but no corresponding rise has occurred in the number leaving the rolls for recovery. A comparative analysis has been made of the demographic, disability, and benefit characteristics of a sample of disabled workers awarded benefits in 1972 who left the rolls for recovery and the characteristics of those who remained on the rolls. For most beneficiaries, recovery appeared unlikely. A large proportion of those awarded benefits were older middle-aged workers with chronic progressive diseases. About 7 in 10 were aged 50 or over at allowance; one-fifth had died by the end of 1975. Younger beneficiaries, those with more education, those disabled by injuries, and residents of Western States were most likely to recover. Persons with higher benefit amounts had a high rate of recovery, but this finding appeared to reflect the effects of their being younger and more skilled. The level of earnings replacement appeared to have little independent effect on recovery. Among workers with conditions most subject to medical improvement, however, those with high replacement rates were less likely to leave the rolls.