Chances of Disability

• Just over 1 in 4 of today’s 20 year olds will become disabled before they retire. [1. U.S. Social Security Administration, Fact Sheet February 7, 2013]
• The average group long-term disability claim lasts 34.6 months. [2. Gen Re, U.S. Group Disability Rate & Risk Management Survey 2012, based on claims closed in 2011]
• The average individual disability claim lasts 31.6 months. [3. Gen Re, U.S. Individual DI Risk Management Survey 2011, based on claims closed in 2010]
• One in eight workers will be disabled for five years or more during their working careers. [4. Commissioner’s Disability Insurance Tables A and C, assuming equal weights by gender and occupation class]
• Across all ages, you are more likely to become disabled than die during your working years
• Women are more likely than men to become disabled

But these are averages, and while they may guide you in understanding your chances of becoming disabled, they don’t relate specifically to you. The Council of Disability Awareness has developed an interesting and helpful tool that allows you to input relevant information about yourself to determine your chances of becoming disabled, which they refer to as your Personal Disability Quotient (PDQ)

To calculate your PDQ, go to www.whatsmypdq.org.