GITNUXREPORT 2025

Disability Insurance Statistics

Many Americans face significant disability risks and limited coverage options.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Musculoskeletal disorders are the leading cause of disability worldwide, accounting for approximately 21% of all years lived with disability

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Mental health conditions represent about 15% of all years lived with disability globally

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About 90% of workplace disability claims are due to musculoskeletal or mental health issues

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The most common causes of disability claims include arthritis, back problems, and heart conditions

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Disability claims due to mental health issues have increased by roughly 25% over the past decade

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Around 80% of long-term disability claims are paid for injuries or illnesses that develop gradually over time

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The median duration of a disability claim is around 4 years, but it varies significantly by cause and age

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In 2021, about 643,000 people received SSDI benefits for mental disorders, representing a significant portion of mental health-related claims

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Women are more likely than men to file disability claims due to musculoskeletal issues, accounting for about 60% of such claims

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The approval rate for disability insurance claims stands at around 55% overall, with significant variation by cause and applicant profile

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The number of people receiving SSDI for neurological conditions such as epilepsy or Parkinson’s disease has increased by over 30% in the past decade

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Women account for approximately 65% of short-term disability claims due to pregnancy and childbirth

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About 1 in 4 of today's 20-year-olds will become disabled before they reach retirement age

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Only around 35% of Americans have long-term disability insurance coverage

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Women are more likely than men to experience long-term disability, with women accounting for about 58% of disability claims

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The median age of first disability claim is approximately 47 years old

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Approximately 67% of people on disability leave are between the ages of 45 and 64

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The likelihood of becoming disabled increases with age, reaching nearly 50% for those aged 65 and older

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About 38% of people who are disabled are unable to work at all, relying entirely on disability benefits

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The number of SSDI beneficiaries has increased by over 70% since 2008

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Approximately 37 million Americans had some form of disability in 2020, representing about 12% of the population

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Approximately 75% of Americans over age 65 have some form of disability, primarily mobility-related

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In 2022, the unemployment rate among disabled Americans was about 9.4%, indicating ongoing employment challenges

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Nearly 60% of all disability claims are filed by individuals under age 50, highlighting early onset cases

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Mental health-related disability claims are highest among younger adults aged 25-34, accounting for roughly 20% of such claims

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About 40% of Americans with a disability live below the federal poverty line, illustrating economic vulnerability

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In the U.S., the median disablement duration is longer for women than men, averaging about 4.5 years compared to 3.5 years for men

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Over 2 million new disability claims are filed each year in the U.S., averaging about 5,500 claims per day

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The average duration of short-term disability insurance claims is about 10 weeks, after which many individuals transition to long-term support

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The average wait time for SSDI approval after application is approximately 3 to 5 months, with some cases taking longer

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Short-term disability insurance pays an average of $1,100 per week

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Long-term disability insurance coverage can replace up to 60% of a worker’s salary

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The average long-term disability claim lasts around 34.6 months

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The total cost of disability in the U.S. economy is over $1 trillion annually, including medical expenses and lost productivity

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The average monthly benefit of federal disability insurance (SSDI) is around $1,500

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The average monthly premium for individual disability insurance policies ranges from $25 to $50, depending on coverage and age

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The average hourly wage of workers filing disability claims in the U.S. is $23.44

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Premium costs for disability insurance tend to increase with age, particularly after age 50

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The cost of short-term disability claims in the U.S. averages around $2.6 billion annually

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In a typical year, disability insurance benefits account for roughly 3% of all insurance claims nationally

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The median annual income of individuals receiving disability benefits is approximately $14,000, which is below the national average income

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Approximately 25% of U.S. workers are expected to experience a disabling injury or illness at some point during their careers

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Short-term disability insurance typically lasts up to 6 months

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The lifetime probability of filing a disability insurance claim is approximately 30% for U.S. workers

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The disability insurance industry has grown by approximately 4% annually over the last decade, indicating increasing demand

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The percentage of workers with employer-sponsored disability insurance varies widely by industry, with high coverage in healthcare and government sectors

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Key Highlights

Approximately 25% of U.S. workers are expected to experience a disabling injury or illness at some point during their careers
Short-term disability insurance pays an average of $1,100 per week
Long-term disability insurance coverage can replace up to 60% of a worker’s salary
About 1 in 4 of today's 20-year-olds will become disabled before they reach retirement age
The average long-term disability claim lasts around 34.6 months
Only around 35% of Americans have long-term disability insurance coverage
Musculoskeletal disorders are the leading cause of disability worldwide, accounting for approximately 21% of all years lived with disability
Mental health conditions represent about 15% of all years lived with disability globally
Women are more likely than men to experience long-term disability, with women accounting for about 58% of disability claims
The median age of first disability claim is approximately 47 years old
The total cost of disability in the U.S. economy is over $1 trillion annually, including medical expenses and lost productivity
Approximately 67% of people on disability leave are between the ages of 45 and 64
About 90% of workplace disability claims are due to musculoskeletal or mental health issues

Did you know that one in four American workers will face a disabling injury or illness at some point in their careers, yet only about 35% are covered by long-term disability insurance, leaving millions vulnerable to financial hardship?

Causes and Types of Disabilities

Musculoskeletal disorders are the leading cause of disability worldwide, accounting for approximately 21% of all years lived with disability
Mental health conditions represent about 15% of all years lived with disability globally
About 90% of workplace disability claims are due to musculoskeletal or mental health issues
The most common causes of disability claims include arthritis, back problems, and heart conditions
Disability claims due to mental health issues have increased by roughly 25% over the past decade
Around 80% of long-term disability claims are paid for injuries or illnesses that develop gradually over time
The median duration of a disability claim is around 4 years, but it varies significantly by cause and age
In 2021, about 643,000 people received SSDI benefits for mental disorders, representing a significant portion of mental health-related claims
Women are more likely than men to file disability claims due to musculoskeletal issues, accounting for about 60% of such claims
The approval rate for disability insurance claims stands at around 55% overall, with significant variation by cause and applicant profile
The number of people receiving SSDI for neurological conditions such as epilepsy or Parkinson’s disease has increased by over 30% in the past decade
Women account for approximately 65% of short-term disability claims due to pregnancy and childbirth

Causes and Types of Disabilities Interpretation

With musculoskeletal woes and mental health struggles driving nearly half of disability claims and a notable rise in neurological and mental health-related disabilities over the past decade, it's clear that the workplace and healthcare systems must adapt swiftly—particularly as women disproportionately bear the burden—highlighting that disability is often a gradual journey, not just a sudden event.

Demographics and Population Impact

About 1 in 4 of today's 20-year-olds will become disabled before they reach retirement age
Only around 35% of Americans have long-term disability insurance coverage
Women are more likely than men to experience long-term disability, with women accounting for about 58% of disability claims
The median age of first disability claim is approximately 47 years old
Approximately 67% of people on disability leave are between the ages of 45 and 64
The likelihood of becoming disabled increases with age, reaching nearly 50% for those aged 65 and older
About 38% of people who are disabled are unable to work at all, relying entirely on disability benefits
The number of SSDI beneficiaries has increased by over 70% since 2008
Approximately 37 million Americans had some form of disability in 2020, representing about 12% of the population
Approximately 75% of Americans over age 65 have some form of disability, primarily mobility-related
In 2022, the unemployment rate among disabled Americans was about 9.4%, indicating ongoing employment challenges
Nearly 60% of all disability claims are filed by individuals under age 50, highlighting early onset cases
Mental health-related disability claims are highest among younger adults aged 25-34, accounting for roughly 20% of such claims
About 40% of Americans with a disability live below the federal poverty line, illustrating economic vulnerability
In the U.S., the median disablement duration is longer for women than men, averaging about 4.5 years compared to 3.5 years for men

Demographics and Population Impact Interpretation

With nearly 25% of today's 20-year-olds facing a disability before retirement and only about a third of Americans having long-term coverage, it's clear that as age and vulnerabilities increase—particularly among women and the economically disadvantaged—the nation faces an urgent need to rethink prevention, support, and the protection of its most vulnerable workers.

Disability Claims Process and Statistics

Over 2 million new disability claims are filed each year in the U.S., averaging about 5,500 claims per day
The average duration of short-term disability insurance claims is about 10 weeks, after which many individuals transition to long-term support
The average wait time for SSDI approval after application is approximately 3 to 5 months, with some cases taking longer

Disability Claims Process and Statistics Interpretation

These statistics reveal that while over two million Americans annually seek disability support—many facing temporary struggles averaging 10 weeks, and some waiting up to five months for SSDI approval—it's a stark reminder of our society's ongoing challenge to provide timely aid for those facing unexpected health setbacks.

Financial Aspects and Costs of Disability

Short-term disability insurance pays an average of $1,100 per week
Long-term disability insurance coverage can replace up to 60% of a worker’s salary
The average long-term disability claim lasts around 34.6 months
The total cost of disability in the U.S. economy is over $1 trillion annually, including medical expenses and lost productivity
The average monthly benefit of federal disability insurance (SSDI) is around $1,500
The average monthly premium for individual disability insurance policies ranges from $25 to $50, depending on coverage and age
The average hourly wage of workers filing disability claims in the U.S. is $23.44
Premium costs for disability insurance tend to increase with age, particularly after age 50
The cost of short-term disability claims in the U.S. averages around $2.6 billion annually
In a typical year, disability insurance benefits account for roughly 3% of all insurance claims nationally
The median annual income of individuals receiving disability benefits is approximately $14,000, which is below the national average income

Financial Aspects and Costs of Disability Interpretation

Despite costing Americans just a fraction of the trillion-dollar toll of disability-related losses, the modest monthly premiums and benefits—averaging around $1,500—highlight that insurance isn't just a safety net but a crucial economic lifeline for those earning median incomes of about $14,000, especially as claims stretch nearly three years and premium costs climb with age.

Workplace Disability and Insurance Coverage

Approximately 25% of U.S. workers are expected to experience a disabling injury or illness at some point during their careers
Short-term disability insurance typically lasts up to 6 months
The lifetime probability of filing a disability insurance claim is approximately 30% for U.S. workers
The disability insurance industry has grown by approximately 4% annually over the last decade, indicating increasing demand
The percentage of workers with employer-sponsored disability insurance varies widely by industry, with high coverage in healthcare and government sectors

Workplace Disability and Insurance Coverage Interpretation

With a one-in-three chance of needing disability coverage during their careers and industry differences in protection, U.S. workers are well-advised to consider the growing importance of disability insurance as a critical safeguard—before life's unexpected injuries or illnesses make short-term plans insufficient.