The Effective Target of the Social Security Disability Benefits Reform Act of 1984

Perry Singleton ()
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Perry Singleton: Assistant Professor of Economics and Senior Research Associate, Center for Policy Research, Maxwell School, Syracuse University, 426 Eggers Hall, Syracuse, NY 13244-1020, https://www.maxwell.syr.edu/directory/perry-singleton

No 119, Center for Policy Research Working Papers from Center for Policy Research, Maxwell School, Syracuse University

Abstract: A substantial portion of the rise in Social Security Disability Insurance rolls since 1984 has been attributed to the Social Security Disability Benefits Reform Act. Using data from the National Health Insurance Survey, I examine whom the act effectively targeted. The analysis shows that new enrollees were demonstrably taller than previous enrollees, suggesting that the act expanded eligibility to individuals in better health and socioeconomic circumstances. However, the estimated effect of increased SSDI eligibility on employment is low, suggesting that the act targeted males who would have otherwise been unemployed.

Keywords: disability insurance; labor supply (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: H55 J22 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 43 pages
Date: 2009-12
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-ias
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:max:cprwps:119

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