A Few Notes on Rates of Return

Several economists at the Social Security Administration (SSA) conducted a study on how likely various types of Social Security beneficiaries (Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Disability Insurance (DI), and concurrent beneficiaries) are to return to the program after their benefits have been terminated due to medical improvement. Here’s what they found:

-About 30% of SSI recipients whose benefits are terminated due to medical improvement return to the SSI program within about 8 years.

-Approximately 22% of concurrent recipients (those who received both SSI and SSDI simultaneously) return to the SSI program within 8 years of benefit cessation.

-Around 20% of disability beneficiaries will return to the DI program within 8 years of having their benefits terminated.

-About 21% of concurrent beneficiaries (DI and SSDI) will return to the DI program within 8 years of being terminated.