Debating rising disability costs

The USA Today editorial page hosts contrasting views on rising beneficiary rolls for the Social Security disability program. The editors argue for a number of possibilities – including tightening eligibility standards and increasing employer incentives to keep workers with disabilities on the job – as a way to restrain rising costs for the program.

Charles Martin, president of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives, counters the rising disability rolls are a function of the aging of the population and increased female labor force participation, which makes more women eligible for DI benefits.

Last month I testified at the House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee on rising disability costs and strategies disabled workers on the job.