er a Nasdaq.com report, Social Security Administration (SSA) data reveals that 25 percent of workers in their early 20s, a generation known as Millennials, will probably become disabled before they make it to age 67. However, the question is, by then, will Social Security benefits, specifically Social Security Disability insurance (SSDI), still be around as an option for Millennials who become disabled?
Should Millennials Be Worried About Social Security Benefits?
Yes. There are several reasons why Millennials should be worried about whether they can count on SSDI and Supplemental Security income (SSI) to help them if a disability prevents them from being able to work:
- As we touched on earlier, the Social Security system may not last or be changed drastically by the time Millennials need to apply for disability benefits. If either of those scenarios is the case, there may be no disability available for Millennials.
- As currently constructed, you need at least 40 work credits before you are even qualified to apply for Social Security Disability. In addition, at least 20 of those credits must have been earned within the 10 years leading up to the year you become disabled. Workers earn one work credit for every $1,300 in wages. Therefore, if Millennials are disabled before they have a chance to earn 40 work credits, they may not be able to qualify for disability benefits.
- Even if Millennials qualify for disability benefits, it may not be enough to cover their expenses. Per SSA data, the average monthly Social Security Disability payment is $1,171. Therefore, disabled Millennials may need to find additional sources of income just to ensure their basic needs are met.
Why Social Security Disability Benefits Are Often Not Enough
In the video below, Tulsa Social Security Disability attorney Steve Troutman explains how disability benefits are calculated and why they are often barely enough to cover a person’s reasonable needs and expenses.
