Yet a substantial number of workers become disabled or die before their retirement age. Moreover, the chance of that happening increases with age. People of color, low wage earners, and less educated workers are particularly at risk and often lack the occupational income protections provided to higher earners. Although the possibility of disability increases with age, 1.4 million of the disabled recipients are actually 45 years of age or younger. Slightly over a fifth are minority workers, reflecting the disproportionate burden of disability on this group.
Disability strikes low-wage workers of all races.
These workers report poorer health than those at higher wage levels. They face greater physical and environmental hazards, and, along with less educated workers, they are more likely to become disabled and less likely to have employer-sponsored disability plans. Social Security, therefore, provides a crucial income support for these workers. Expansion of benefits. Congress extended Social Security's income protection for workers to family dependents in 1939 with legislative amendments that revolutionized social insurance.