The number of people receiving benefits from Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) has increased exponentially over the years. While there has always been a steady increase in beneficiaries, the largest growth has taken place in the past 10 to 20 years. From 1970 until 1990, the amount of disabled beneficiaries grew from just under two million to about three and a half million. In the 1990s alone, the numbers jumped from three and a half million to almost seven million. By the end of last year, the number of disabled beneficiaries reached 10.2 million.
SS experts believe there are two main causes for the rapid growth. First, Baby Boomers are aging and entering retirement. Their bodies will naturally become more susceptible to injury. Second, many people turn to SSDI as a result of the poor economy. The SSDI benefits act as unemployment benefits. People who would ordinarily work to make ends meet had to turn to SSDI as a last resort. A Tulsa Social Security Disability attorney can discuss the options a person has under SSDI.
However, the increasing number of Social Security beneficiaries alone does not account for the financial troubles that Social Security faces. Costs per beneficiary have also been increasing. While the cost remained about the same per worker throughout the 80s and 90s, the average cost per beneficiary has increased in the past decade.
More beneficiaries, a poor economy and higher costs per beneficiary are all factors in the problems facing Social Security. A Tulsa Social Security Disability lawyer can provide more information on what Social Security benefits are available.
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