Strengthen Social Security Coalition
Statement of Support for Social Security Disability Insurance
We built our Social Security system because it is the most efficient, secure, universal, and fair
way for Americans to replace wages in the event of death, disability, or old age. The importanceof insurance under Social Security cannot be overstated. Through their hard work and payroll tax
contributions, nearly all American workers earn Social Security’s retirement, disability, andsurvivorship protections for themselves and their families.
Our Social Security system has withstood the test of time. It represents the best of Americanvalues—rewarding hard work, honoring our parents, caring for our neighbors, and taking
responsibility for ourselves and our families. It is based on a promise that if you pay in, then you
earn the right to guaranteed benefits.
Like our interstate highway system, however, Social Security requires periodic maintenance toremain strong. In survey after survey, the American people say loudly and clearly that they
overwhelmingly value Social Security highly and want Congress to strengthen – not erode – thisbedrock of our nation’s prosperity.
The undersigned organizations urge Congress to address the need to maintain a vital part of ourSocial Security system: Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI. As anticipated for several
decades, Social Security’s Disability Insurance (DI) fund reserves are projected to be depleted at
the end of 2016, at which point revenue coming into the system would cover only about 80% of
benefits to current and future beneficiaries.
We urge Congress to ensure that all parts of our Social Security system can pay full scheduled
benefits through 2034 either by merging Social Security’s OASI and DI trust funds into a single
fund, or through a modest temporary reallocation of part of Social Security’s 6.2% tax rate fromthe Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) fund to the DI fund. Congress has reallocated tax
rates between the two funds 11 times in the past. About half the time it increased the share goingto the OASI fund and about half the time it increased the share for DI. Congress has never failed
to act when it was necessary to rebalance the two funds, and it has consistently done so in abipartisan fashion without controversy. It is time now for Congress to act once again.
The need for Congress to act now is no surprise. Congress last enacted legislation to addressSocial Security’s finances in 1994. The 1995 Social Security Trustees Report then showed thatthe DI fund reserves would deplete in 2016, due in large part to a rapid, but temporary, increasein the number of DI beneficiaries as baby boomers passed through their 50s and early 60s when
the risk of disability is greatest. As expected, the growth in SSDI is now leveling off as boomers
enter retirement and shift to OASI benefits. In brief, the need for Congress to act to secureStrengthen Social Security Coalition • 815 16​th​ Street NW, Fourth Floor • Washington, DC 20006

SSDI’s finances by the end of 2016 reflects a long-anticipated, but temporary, shift in thefunding requirements of the two funds. Reallocation or merging the funds is a sensible solutionthat would not affect the long-term financing of the overall Social Security system, which wouldremain solvent through 2034.
The alternative – allowing an abrupt cut in Social Security for 11 million Americans, including
the 7 in 10 SSDI beneficiaries age 50 or older – is unthinkable. The onset of a disability can be alife-altering experience that puts workers and their families at extreme financial risk. Mostworkers have very limited personal savings to fall back on, and only a third of civilian workers
have long-term disability insurance through their jobs.
SSDI is an economic lifeline that protects workers and their families from dire financial
hardship. The average benefit for a worker with a disability is a little more than $1,100 a month,or about $40 per day. These modest benefits keep millions of people from deep poverty, evenhomelessness, and serve as the sole or main source of income for about 80 percent ofbeneficiaries. Without SSDI, about half of beneficiaries would live in poverty; even with SSDI,
most have low incomes. Any cuts to benefits, coverage or eligibility could lead to truly
devastating effects for both the 11 million Americans who currently receive SSDI, and for the165 million workers who pay into Social Security today and may need SSDI in the future.
For these reasons, the undersigned organizations urge Congress to keep Social Security’s
promise by either merging or rebalancing the Social Security funds to ensure the financial
security of all parts of our Social Security system through 2034, and to reject proposals to cut
Social Security benefits, coverage, or eligibility. This is necessary to preserve confidence in ourSocial Security system and protect the economic well-being of both current and future
beneficiaries.
Sincerely,[Sign-On Letter]

Strengthen Social Security Coalition • 815 16​th​ Street NW, Fourth Floor • Washington, DC 20006