2006 OASDI Trustees Report

Contents Previous Next List of Tables List of Figures Index

V. ASSUMPTIONS AND METHODS UNDERLYING ACTUARIAL ESTIMATES

C. PROGRAM-SPECIFIC ASSUMPTIONS AND METHODS

The demographic and economic assumptions and methods described in the previous sections are used in a set of models to project future income and cost under the OASDI program. In some cases, the economic assumptions result in the direct calculation of program parameters as described in the following subsection. These parameters affect the level of payroll taxes collected and the level of benefits paid and are calculated using formulas described explicitly in the Social Security Act. In other cases, the combination of demographic and economic assumptions are used indirectly to drive more complicated models that project the numbers of future workers covered under OASDI and the levels of their covered earnings, and the numbers of future beneficiaries and the expected levels of their benefits. The following subsections provide brief descriptions of the derivations of these program-specific factors.

1. Automatically Adjusted Program Amounts

The Social Security Act specifies that certain program amounts affecting the determination of OASDI benefits are to be adjusted annually, in general, to reflect changes in the economy. The law prescribes specific formulas that, when applied to reported statistics, produce automatic revisions in these program amounts and hence in the benefit-computation procedures. These automatic adjustments are based upon measured changes in the national average wage index (AWI) and the CPI.1 In this section, values are shown for program amounts that are subject to automatic adjustment, from the time that such adjustments became effective through 2015. Projected values for future years are based on the economic assumptions described in the preceding section of this report.

The following two tables present the historical and projected values of the CPI-based benefit increases, as well as the AWI series and the values of many of the wage-indexed program amounts. In each table, the projections are shown under the three alternative sets of economic assumptions described in the previous section. Table V.C1 includes:

Other wage-indexed amounts are shown in table V.C2. The table provides historical values from 1978, when the amount of earnings required for a quarter of coverage was first indexed, through 2005, and also shows projected amounts through 2015. These other wage-indexed program amounts are:

In addition to the program amounts affecting the determination of OASDI benefits that reflect changes in the economy, there are certain legislated changes that have affected, and will affect, benefits. Two such changes are the scheduled increases in the normal retirement age and in the delayed retirement credits. Table V.C3 shows the scheduled changes in these two important items and their effect on benefits expressed as a percentage of PIA.

Table V.C3.-Legislated Changes in Normal Retirement Age and Delayed Retirement
Credits, for Persons Reaching Age 62 in Each Year 1986 and Later
Year of birth
Year of
attainment of
age 62
Normal
retirement
age (NRA)
Credit for each
year of delayed
retirement after
NRA (percent)
Benefit, as a percentage of PIA,
beginning at age -
62
65
66
67
70
1924
1986
65
3
80
100
103
106
115
1925
1987
65
3 1/2
80
100
103 1/2
107
117 1/2
1926
1988
65
3 1/2
80
100
103 1/2
107
117 1/2
1927
1989
65
4
80
100
104
108
120
1928
1990
65
4
80
100
104
108
120
1929
1991
65
4 1/2
80
100
104 1/2
109
122 1/2
1930
1992
65
4 1/2
80
100
104 1/2
109
122 1/2
1931
1993
65
5
80
100
105
110
125
1932
1994
65
5
80
100
105
110
125
1933
1995
65
5 1/2
80
100
105 1/2
111
127 1/2
1934
1996
65
5 1/2
80
100
105 1/2
111
127 1/2
1935
1997
65
6
80
100
106
112
130
1936
1998
65
6
80
100
106
112
130
1937
1999
65
6 1/2
80
100
106 1/2
113
132 1/2
1938
2000
65, 2 mo
6 1/2
79 1/6
98 8/9
105 5/12
111 11/12
131 5/12
1939
2001
65, 4 mo
7
78 1/3
97 7/9
104 2/3
111 2/3
132 2/3
1940
2002
65, 6 mo
7
77 1/2
96 2/3
103 1/2
110 1/2
131 1/2
1941
2003
65, 8 mo
7 1/2
76 2/3
95 5/9
102 1/2
110
132 1/2
1942
2004
65, 10 mo
7 1/2
75 5/6
94 4/9
101 1/4
108 3/4
131 1/4
1943-54
2005-16
66
8
75
93 1/3
100
108
132
1955
2017
66, 2 mo
8
74 1/6
92 2/9
98 8/9
106 2/3
130 2/3
1956
2018
66, 4 mo
8
73 1/3
91 1/9
97 7/9
105 1/3
129 1/3
1957
2019
66, 6 mo
8
72 1/2
90
96 2/3
104
128
1958
2020
66, 8 mo
8
71 2/3
88 8/9
95 5/9
102 2/3
126 2/3
1959
2021
66, 10 mo
8
70 5/6
87 7/9
94 4/9
101 1/3
125 1/3
1960 & later
2022 & later
67
8
70
86 2/3
93 1/3
100
124

2. Covered Employment

Projections of the total labor force and unemployment rate are based on Bureau of Labor Statistics definitions from the Current Population Survey (CPS), and thus represent the average weekly number of employed and unemployed persons, aged 16 and over, in the U.S. in a calendar year. Total covered workers in a year are the number of persons who have any OASDI covered earnings at any time during the year. For those aged 16 and over, projected covered employment is the sum of age-sex components, each of which is projected as a ratio to the CPS concept of employment. For those under age 16, projected covered employment is the sum of age-sex components, each of which is projected as a ratio to the Social Security area population. The projection methodology accounts for changes in the business cycle, the quarterly pattern of growth in employment within each year, changes in non-OASDI covered employment, the increase in coverage of Federal civilian employment as a result of the 1983 Social Security Amendments, and changes in the number of other immigrants estimated to be residing within the Social Security coverage area.

Covered worker rates are defined as the ratio of OASDI covered workers to the Social Security area population. The projected age-adjusted coverage rate for males age 16 and over, changes from its 2004 level of about 72.4 percent to 72.5, 72.5, and 72.6 percent for 2080 for the low cost, intermediate, and high cost assumptions, respectively. (Age-adjusted covered worker rates are adjusted to the 2004 age distribution of the Social Security area population.) For females, the projected age-adjusted coverage rate changes from its 2004 level of 61.9 percent to 63.9, 63.5, and 63.2 percent for 2080 for the low cost, intermediate, and high cost assumptions, respectively.

3. Taxable Payroll and Payroll Tax Revenue

The OASDI taxable payroll is the amount of earnings in a year which, when multiplied by the combined employee-employer tax rate, yields the total amount of taxes due from wages and self-employed income in the year. Taxable payroll is used in estimating OASDI income and in determining income and cost rates and actuarial balances. (See section IV.B.1, Annual Income Rates, Cost Rates, and Balances, for definitions of these terms.) Taxable payroll is computed from taxable earnings, defined as the sum of wages and self-employment earnings subject to the Social Security tax. In computing taxable payroll, wages are adjusted to take into account the "excess wages" earned by workers with multiple jobs whose combined wages exceed the contribution and benefit base. Also, from 1983 through 2001, taxable payroll includes deemed wage credits for military service. Prior to 1984, the self-employed tax rate was less than the combined employee-employer rate, thus taxable self-employed earnings were weighted to reflect this. Also, prior to 1988, employers were exempt from Social Security tax on part of their employees' tips; taxable payroll was reduced by half of this exempt amount to take this into account.

The computation of taxable earnings for employees, employers, and the self-employed is based on total earnings in covered employment. Covered earnings are summed from component sectors, each of which is based on the projected growth of U.S. earnings and a factor that reflects any projected change in coverage (e.g., the increase in coverage in the Federal civilian sector due to mandatory coverage of newly hired employees). The level of taxable earnings reflects only the portion of covered earnings that is at or below the contribution and benefit base. The portion of covered earnings that is taxable (i.e. at or below the base) was about 89.8, 87.0, and 82.9 percent for 1983, 1994, and 2000, respectively. This ratio of taxable earnings to covered earnings rose to about 85.9 in 2002 and 2003. Our preliminary estimate for 2005 is 83.8 percent, about the same as in 1999. The average annual rate of change in the ratio was about -0.3 percent between 1983 and 2005. This decline was mainly due to a relative increase in wages for high wage earners.

However, some of the decline since 1983 is believed to be due to the change in the age-sex distribution of the workforce (as the baby-boom generation moved into ages of higher relative earnings). This and other factors are expected to cause continued declines through 2015 in the intermediate and high cost alternatives. The projected taxable earnings ratios in 2015 are 84.0, 83.2, and 82.4 for the low cost, intermediate, and high cost assumptions, respectively. This represents average annual rates of change from 2006 of 0.0, -0.1, and -0.2 percent. After 2015, the taxable to covered ratio is held approximately constant.

Payroll tax revenue is computed by applying the appropriate tax rates to taxable wages and self-employment income, taking into account the lag between the time the tax liability is incurred and when the taxes are collected. In the case of wages, employers are required to deposit withholding taxes with the Treasury on a schedule determined by the amount of tax liability incurred. (Generally, the higher the amount of liability, the sooner the taxes must be paid-ranging from the middle of the following month to, for companies with very large payrolls, the next banking day after wages are paid.) Self-employed workers are required to make estimated tax payments on their earnings four times during the year, as well as making up any under-estimate on their individual income tax return. The pattern of actual receipts by the Treasury is taken into account when estimating self-employed tax collections.

4. Insured Population

Eligibility for benefits under the OASDI program requires some minimal level of work in covered employment. This requirement is established by a worker's accumulation of quarters of coverage (QCs). Prior to 1978, one QC was credited for each calendar quarter in which at least $50 was earned. In 1978, when quarterly reporting of earnings was replaced by annual reporting, the amount required to earn a QC (up to a maximum of four per year) was set at $250. Since then, this amount has been adjusted each year according to changes in the AWI. Its value in 2006 is $970.

There are three types of insured status which can be acquired by a worker under the OASDI program. Each of these statuses is determined by the number and recency of QCs earned. Fully insured status is acquired by any worker whose total number of QCs is greater than or equal to the number of years elapsed after the year of attainment of age 21 (and at least six). Once a worker has accumulated 40 QCs, he or she remains permanently fully insured. Disability-insured status is acquired by any fully insured worker over age 30 who has accumulated 20 QCs during the 40-quarter period ending with the current quarter; any fully insured worker aged 24-30 who has accumulated QCs during one-half of the quarters elapsed after the quarter of attainment of age 21 and up to and including the current quarter; and any fully insured worker under age 24 who has accumulated six QCs during the 12-quarter period ending with the current quarter. Currently insured status is acquired by any worker who has accumulated six QCs during the 13-quarter period ending with the current quarter. Periods of disability are excluded from the above described QC requirements for insured status (but do not reduce the minimum of six QCs).

There are many types of benefits payable to workers and their family members under the OASDI program. One of the requirements of eligibility for these benefits is the insured status of the worker. A worker must be fully insured to be eligible for a primary retirement benefit, and for his or her spouse or children to be eligible for auxiliary benefits. A deceased worker must have been either currently insured or fully insured at the time of death for his or her children (and their mother or father) to be eligible for benefits. If there are no eligible surviving children, the deceased worker must have been fully insured at the time of death for his or her surviving spouse to be eligible. A worker must be disability insured to be eligible for a primary disability benefit, and for his or her spouse or children to be eligible for auxiliary benefits.

Historical estimates of the fully insured population, as a percentage of the Social Security area population, are made by age and sex for each birth cohort beginning with 1900. These percentages are based on 30,000 simulated work histories for each sex and birth cohort, which are constructed from past coverage rates, median earnings, and amounts required for crediting QCs. These work histories are developed by a model which assumes that persons who have recently been out of covered employment are likely to remain out of covered employment. This model is aligned such that the simulated fully insured percentages reproduce fairly closely the fully insured percentages estimated from the Continuous Work History Sample from 1970 to date. The fully insured population for future years is projected using this model with the additional inputs of estimated future coverage rates, median earnings, and amounts required for crediting QCs.

Projections of the disability-insured population, as a percentage of the fully insured population, are made by age and sex for each birth cohort beginning with 1900. These percentages are based on the same simulated work histories used to project the fully insured percentages. Additional adjustments are made to bring the simulated disability-insured percentages into close agreement with those estimated from the Continuous Work History Sample. The principal adjustment is for periods of disability (which are not explicitly taken into account in the model). These periods (which reduce the normally applicable QC requirements) have a negligible effect on fully insured status at retirement age, but a substantial effect on disability-insured status.

Projections of the currently insured population are not made. This is because the number of beneficiaries who are entitled to benefits based solely on currently insured status has been very small, and is expected to remain small in the future.

Under this procedure, the percentage of the Social Security area population aged 62 and over that is fully insured is projected to increase from its estimated level of 81.2 for December 31, 2003, to 89.2, 90.1, and 90.8 for December 31, 2080, under alternatives I, II, and III, respectively. The percentage for females is projected to increase significantly, while that for males is projected to decline somewhat. Under alternative II, for example, the percentage for males is projected to decrease slightly during this period from 93.5 to 92.1, while that for females is projected to increase from 72.0 to 88.4.

5. Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Beneficiaries

The number of OASI beneficiaries is projected for each type of benefit separately, by the sex of the worker on whose earnings the benefits are based, and by the age of the beneficiary. For selected types of benefits, the number of beneficiaries is also projected by marital status.

For the short-range period, the number of retired-worker beneficiaries is developed by applying award rates to the aged fully insured population less those insured persons entitled to retired-worker, disabled-worker, aged widow(er)'s, or aged spouse's benefits, and by applying termination rates to the number of persons already receiving retired-worker benefits.

For the long-range period, the number of retired-worker beneficiaries not previously converted from disabled-worker beneficiary status is projected as a percentage of the exposed population, i.e., the aged fully insured population less persons entitled to or converted from disability benefits and insured persons entitled to widow(er)'s benefits. For age 62, a linear regression is developed based on the relationship between the historical exposed percentage and the labor force participation rate. The regression coefficients are then used to project the percentage based on the projected labor force participation rate for age 62. The percentage for ages 70 and over is assumed to be nearly 100, because the retirement earnings test does not apply after normal retirement age and the delayed retirement credit does not apply after age 70. The percentage for each age 63 through 69 is projected from the December 31, 2005 retired-worker beneficiaries data with an adjustment for changes in the portion of the primary insurance amount that is payable at each age of entitlement. As the normal retirement age increases, the number of retired-worker beneficiaries not automatically converted from disabled-worker beneficiary status as a percentage of the exposed population is gradually adjusted downward at each age 63 through 69.

For the long-range period also, the number of retired-worker beneficiaries previously converted from disabled-worker beneficiaries is calculated separately in a manner consistent with the calculation of disabled-worker beneficiaries.

The number of aged-spouse beneficiaries (excluding those who are also receiving a retired-worker benefit) is estimated from the population projected by age and sex. The benefits of aged-spouse beneficiaries are based on the earnings records of their husbands or wives, who are referred to as "wage earners." In the short-range period, insured aged-spouse beneficiaries are projected concurrently with the retired-worker beneficiaries. Uninsured aged-spouse beneficiaries are projected, on the other hand, by applying award rates to the aged uninsured male or female population, and by applying termination rates to the population already receiving such benefits. In the long-range period, aged-spouse beneficiaries are estimated by marital status. To the number of spouses aged 62 and over in the population, a series of factors are applied, representing the probabilities that the spouse and the wage earner meet all of the conditions of eligibility-i.e., the probabilities that (1) the wage earner is 62 or over, (2) the wage earner is insured, (3) the wage earner is receiving benefits, (4) the spouse is not receiving a benefit for the care of an entitled child, (5) the spouse is not insured, and (6) the spouse is not eligible to receive a significant government pension based on earnings in noncovered employment. To the resulting number of spouses a projected prevalence rate is applied to calculate the estimated number of aged-spouse beneficiaries.

In addition, the same factors are applied to the number of divorced persons aged 62 and over in the population, with three differences. First, an additional factor is required to reflect the probability that the person's former wage-earner spouse is still alive (otherwise, the person may be entitled to a divorced widow(er)'s benefit). Second, a factor is required to reflect the probability that the marriage to the wage-earner spouse was at least 10 years in duration. Third, factor (3) above is not applied because, effective for January 1985, a divorced person generally need not wait to receive benefits until the former wage-earner spouse is receiving benefits.

The projected numbers of children under age 18, and students aged 18 and 19, who are eligible for benefits as children of retired-worker beneficiaries, are based on the projected number of children in the population. In the short-range period, the number of entitled children is developed by applying award rates to the number of children in the population where both parents are alive, and by applying termination rates to the number of children already receiving benefits.

In the long-range period, the number of entitled children is projected separately by sex of the wage-earner parent. The number of entitled children is projected for each age under 18 from the latest beneficiary data by reflecting changes in the following: the number of children in the population and the proportion of retired workers age 62 to 71 to the population age 20 to 71. For student beneficiaries, factors are applied to the number of children age 18 and 19 in the population, representing the probabilities that the parent is alive, aged 62 or over, insured, and receiving a retired-worker benefit. Another factor is applied representing the probability that the child is attending a secondary school.

The number of disabled children, age 18 and over, of retired-worker beneficiaries is projected from the adult population. In the short-range period, award rates are applied to the population, and termination rates are applied to the number of disabled children already receiving benefits. In the long-range period, disabled children are projected in a manner similar to that for student children with the inclusion of a factor reflecting the probability of being disabled before age 22. Another factor is applied representing the probability that the disabled chid is entitled to a benefit based on both parents' earnings.

In the short-range period, the number of entitled young-spouse beneficiaries is developed by applying award rates to the number of awards to children of retired workers, where the children are either under age 16 or disabled, and by applying termination rates to the number of young spouses already receiving benefits. In the long-range period, young-spouse beneficiaries are projected as a proportion of the projected number of child beneficiaries of retired workers, taking into account projected changes in average family size.

The number of aged-widow(er) beneficiaries (excluding those who are also receiving a retired-worker benefit) is projected from the population by age and sex. In the short-range period, insured aged-widow(er) beneficiaries are projected concurrently with the retired-worker beneficiaries. Uninsured aged-widow(er) beneficiaries are projected, on the other hand, by applying award rates to the aged uninsured male or female population, and by applying termination rates to the population already receiving such benefits. In the long-range period, aged-widow(er) beneficiaries are projected by marital status. Four factors are applied to the number of widow(er)s in the population aged 60 and over. These factors represent the probabilities that (1) the deceased wage earner is fully insured at death, (2) the widow(er) is not receiving a benefit for the care of an entitled child, (3) the widow(er) is not fully insured, and (4) the widow(er)'s benefits are not withheld because of receipt of a significant government pension based on earnings in noncovered employment. In addition, some insured widow(er)s who had not applied for their retired-worker benefits are assumed to receive widow(er)'s benefits. Also, the same factors are applied to the number of divorced persons aged 60 and over in the population, with additional factors representing the probability that the person's former wage-earner spouse is deceased and that the marriage was at least 10 years in duration.

In the short-range period, the number of disabled-widow(er) beneficiaries is developed by applying award rates to the uninsured male or female population, and by applying termination rates to the population already receiving a disabled-widow(er) benefit. In the long-range period, the number is projected for each age 50 up to NRA as percentages of the widowed and divorced populations, adjusted for the insured status of the deceased spouse, the prevalence of disability, and the probability that the disabled spouse is not receiving another type of benefit.

The projected numbers of children under age 18, and students aged 18 and 19, who are eligible for benefits as survivors of deceased workers, are based on the projected number of children in the population whose mothers or fathers are deceased. In the short-range period, the number of entitled children is developed by applying award rates to the number of orphaned children, and by applying termination rates to the number of children already receiving benefits.

In the long-range period, the number of child-survivor beneficiaries is projected in a manner analogous to that for student beneficiaries of retired workers, with the factor representing the probability that the parent is aged 62 or over replaced by a factor that represents the probability that the parent is deceased.

In the short-range period, the numbers of entitled mother-survivor and father-survivor beneficiaries are developed by applying award rates to the number of awards to child-survivor beneficiaries, where the children are either under age 16 or disabled, and by applying termination rates to the number of mother-survivors and father-survivors already receiving benefits. In the long-range period, mother-survivor and father-survivor beneficiaries, assuming they are not remarried, are estimated from the number of child-survivor beneficiaries, taking into account projected changes in average family size.

The number of parent-survivor beneficiaries is projected based on the historical pattern of the number of such beneficiaries.

Table V.C4 shows the projected number of beneficiaries under the OASI program by type of benefit. Included among the beneficiaries who receive retired-worker benefits are some persons who also receive a residual benefit consisting of the excess of an auxiliary benefit over their retired-worker benefit. Estimates of the number of such residual payments are made separately for spouses and widow(er)s.

Table V.C4.-OASI Beneficiaries With Benefits in Current-Payment Status
at the End of Calendar Years 1945-2080 

[In thousands]

Calendar year
Retired workers and auxiliaries
 
Survivors
Total
Worker
Spouse
Child
Widow-
widower
Mother-
father
Child
Parent
Historical data:
 
1945
518
159
13
 
94
121
377
6
1,288
 
1950
1,771
508
46
314
169
653
15
3,477
 
1955
4,474
1,192
122
701
292
1,154
25
7,961
 
1960
8,061
2,269
268
1,544
401
1,577
36
14,157
 
1965
11,101
2,614
461
2,371
472
2,074
35
19,128
 
1970
13,349
2,668
546
3,227
523
2,688
29
23,030
 
1975
16,589
2,867
643
3,888
582
2,919
21
27,509
 
1980
19,564
3,018
639
4,415
563
2,610
15
30,823
 
1985
22,435
3,069
456
4,863
372
1,918
10
33,123
 
1986
22,985
3,088
450
4,931
350
1,878
9
33,691
 
1987
23,444
3,090
439
4,984
329
1,837
8
34,130
 
1988
23,862
3,086
432
5,028
318
1,809
7
34,542
 
1989
24,331
3,093
422
5,071
312
1,782
6
35,017
 
1990
24,841
3,101
421
5,111
304
1,777
6
35,562
 
1991
25,293
3,104
425
5,158
301
1,792
5
36,078
 
1992
25,762
3,112
431
5,205
294
1,808
5
36,618
 
1993
26,109
3,094
436
5,224
289
1,837
5
36,994
 
1994
26,412
3,066
440
5,232
283
1,865
4
37,303
 
1995
26,679
3,026
441
5,225
275
1,884
4
37,534
 
1996
26,905
2,970
442
5,211
242
1,898
4
37,672
 
1997
27,282
2,922
441
5,053
230
1,893
3
37,825
 
1998
27,518
2,864
439
4,990
221
1,884
3
37,918
 
1999
27,784
2,811
442
4,944
212
1,885
3
38,081
 
2000
28,505
2,798
459
4,901
203
1,878
3
38,748
 
2001
28,843
2,742
467
4,828
197
1,890
3
38,969
 
2002
29,195
2,681
477
4,770
194
1,908
2
39,226
 
2003
29,537
2,622
480
4,705
190
1,910
2
39,446
 
2004
29,952
2,569
482
4,642
184
1,901
2
39,733
 
2005
30,461
2,524
488
4,569
178
1,903
2
40,126
Intermediate:
 
2010
34,363
2,427
559
 
4,390
164
1,876
1
43,781
 
2015
40,983
2,392
625
4,277
159
1,897
1
50,332
 
2020
48,598
2,447
701
4,203
153
1,920
2
58,025
 
2025
55,636
2,606
748
4,251
157
1,929
2
65,327
 
2030
62,160
2,552
784
4,283
156
1,936
2
71,872
 
2035
66,553
2,477
786
4,306
154
1,936
2
76,214
 
2040
68,807
2,446
783
4,297
150
1,917
2
78,401
 
2045
70,398
2,510
788
4,282
146
1,889
2
80,015
 
2050
72,085
2,586
811
4,250
142
1,861
2
81,735
 
2055
74,021
2,719
818
4,236
138
1,830
2
83,763
 
2060
76,258
2,807
832
4,241
134
1,798
2
86,072
 
2065
78,636
2,889
841
4,296
131
1,770
2
88,564
 
2070
81,162
2,940
858
4,361
127
1,746
2
91,197
 
2075
83,349
2,997
864
4,425
124
1,723
2
93,482
 
2080
85,574
3,077
880
4,466
120
1,701
2
95,819
Low Cost:
 
2010
34,326
2,429
562
 
4,386
165
1,889
1
43,758
 
2015
40,784
2,403
634
4,259
164
1,947
1
50,193
 
2020
47,918
2,426
717
4,228
150
2,054
2
57,495
 
2025
54,400
2,573
778
4,316
150
2,146
2
64,365
 
2030
60,203
2,492
830
4,387
147
2,242
2
70,302
 
2035
63,839
2,387
845
4,429
144
2,327
2
73,973
 
2040
65,394
2,323
854
4,415
142
2,388
2
75,518
 
2045
66,524
2,343
875
4,375
142
2,431
2
76,691
 
2050
67,918
2,391
914
4,306
142
2,463
2
78,135
 
2055
69,764
2,479
938
4,251
143
2,498
2
80,075
 
2060
71,893
2,529
971
4,217
145
2,541
2
82,297
 
2065
74,065
2,578
996
4,230
148
2,590
2
84,608
 
2070
76,346
2,602
1,032
4,260
151
2,639
2
87,032
 
2075
78,659
2,633
1,062
4,304
153
2,688
2
89,500
 
2080
81,547
2,688
1,110
4,354
155
2,739
2
92,594
High Cost:
 
2010
34,416
2,426
557
 
4,396
163
1,864
1
43,824
 
2015
41,234
2,389
617
 
4,303
153
1,848
1
50,546
 
2020
49,410
2,509
686
 
4,175
154
1,782
2
58,718
 
2025
57,068
2,719
719
 
4,174
154
1,706
2
66,541
 
2030
64,486
2,716
743
 
4,159
150
1,636
2
73,891
 
2035
69,912
2,691
735
 
4,158
142
1,564
2
79,205
 
2040
73,208
2,722
722
 
4,157
132
1,485
2
82,428
 
2045
75,691
2,848
715
 
4,169
121
1,411
2
84,958
 
2050
78,117
2,959
724
 
4,169
112
1,348
2
87,431
 
2055
80,624
3,134
719
 
4,182
102
1,284
2
90,046
 
2060
83,428
3,253
717
 
4,201
94
1,218
2
92,912
 
2065
86,365
3,381
711
 
4,261
86
1,159
2
95,965
 
2070
89,454
3,458
713
 
4,323
78
1,106
2
99,135
 
2075
91,846
3,541
701
 
4,380
72
1,058
2
101,600
 
2080
93,800
3,607
695
 
4,388
66
1,013
2
103,570

Notes:
1. The number of beneficiaries does not include uninsured individuals who receive benefits under Section 228 of the Social Security Act. Costs are reimbursed from the General Fund of the Treasury for most of these individuals.
2. Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components.

6. Disability Insurance Beneficiaries

Benefits are paid from the DI Trust Fund to individuals who satisfy the disability-insured requirements, who are unable to engage in substantial gainful activity due to medically determinable physical or mental impairment severe enough to satisfy the requirements of the program, and who have not yet attained normal retirement age. Spouses and children of such disabled workers may also receive DI benefits provided they satisfy certain criteria, mostly depending upon age or the age of a child in the care of the non-disabled spouse. In projecting future benefit outlays from the DI Trust Fund, the number of DI beneficiaries is projected for each type of beneficiary separately, by the sex of the disabled worker on whose earnings the benefits are based, and the age of the beneficiary. Such projections are accomplished using standard actuarial methods reflecting future additions to the DI rolls through awards of new benefits, and subtractions from the rolls due to death, recovery, or administrative conversion upon attainment of normal retirement age from status as a disabled-worker beneficiary to status as a retired-worker beneficiary. The long-range and short-range models used to make these projections are both constructed from this basic outline, but differ in some details reflecting their respective uses.

The number of new entitlements to disabled-worker benefits during each year is projected by applying assumed age-sex-specific disability incidence rates to the projected disability-exposed population.2 Long-range ultimate disability incidence rates are selected based on careful analysis of historical patterns and expected future conditions, including the impact of scheduled increases in the normal retirement age.3 Incidence rates for the first half of the short-range period reflect the most recent actual experience along with consideration of other factors expected to affect the processing of disability claims in the near term. Over the latter half of the short-range period, incidence rates are assumed to trend into levels consistent with the long-range ultimate incidence rate assumptions.

These assumed incidence rates are summarized in figure V.C3 and table V.C5. As illustrated in figure V.C3, incidence rates have varied within a wide range over the past 30 years. Although not completely understood, this variation is attributed in large part to a variety of demographic and economic factors, along with the effects of changes due to legislation and program administration.4 The solid lines in figure V.C3 illustrate values of the summarized incidence rate, age-sex adjusted to the distribution of the disability-exposed population for 2000. Such adjustment facilitates meaningful comparisons over long periods of time. From a historically high level of about 7.2 awards per thousand insured in 1975, age-sex-adjusted rates declined to about 3.7 per thousand by 1982. Following a gradual trend upward, rates increased to about 5.8 per thousand by 1992, but declined from that point to about 4.7 per thousand in 2000. As described in chapter IV, in the discussion of the short-range DI estimates, the incidence rate experience for 2001-05, and the projections for 2006-10, are affected by a one-time special workload. In addition to historical values, figure V.C3 displays the age-sex-adjusted short-range incidence rates under the three alternative sets of assumptions. Gross (unadjusted) incidence rates are also shown in figure V.C3 in dashed lines. These unadjusted rates are heavily influenced by the changing age-sex distribution of the exposed population over time. This is especially noticeable in the period after 2000 when the aging baby-boom generation will be concentrated in the ages of highest disability incidence.

Figure V.C3.-DI Disabled Worker Incidence Rates, 1970-2015

[Awards per thousand disability exposed]

[D]

Table V.C5 presents the long-range ultimate incidence rate assumptions age-sex adjusted to the disability-exposed population as of January 1, 2000. The table also indicates the year in which the ultimate values are attained, along with an indication of the relationship between those ultimate rates and the rates for the base period (1994-96) that was used to develop relative levels of disability incidence by age and sex for long-range assumptions.

Table V.C5.-Long-Range Ultimate Disabled Worker Age-Sex-Adjusted
Incidence Rates1
 
Ultimate
incidence rate
 
Year ultimate
rate is attained 2
 
Percent change from
base period  3 to ultimate rate
Intermediate assumption
5.8
 
2027
 
+7
Low cost assumption
4.6
2027
-15
High cost assumption
6.9
2027
+28

1Number of annual new disabled-worker entitlements per thousand disability-exposed, age-sex-adjusted to the disability-exposed population as of January 1, 2000.

2The transition to ultimate incidence rates is generally completed in 2025. However, for ages 61 through 66 incidence rates are adjusted through 2027 in order to reflect increases in the normal retirement age (NRA) that are scheduled in the law.

3Base period rate for long-range incidence rate assumptions is 5.4 per thousand representing the average age-sex-adjusted incidence rate for 1994-96.

The number of disabled-worker beneficiaries having their benefits terminated during each year is projected by applying assumed termination rates to the disabled-worker population. The termination rates are developed by age, sex, and reason for termination.5 In addition, in the long-range period, termination rates are also assumed to vary by duration of entitlement to disabled-worker benefits. To this number of terminations is added the number of disabled-worker beneficiaries who would be automatically converted to retired-worker beneficiaries upon attainment of the normal retirement age.

In the short-range period, gross death rates under the intermediate assumptions are projected to gradually decline to about 28 deaths per thousand disabled workers. The pattern of projected recovery rates under the intermediate assumptions is consistent with assumed levels of continuing disability reviews required to fulfill the legislative mandate for regular reviews of all disabled beneficiaries. Under low cost (high cost) assumptions, terminations due to death, recovery, and other reasons increase (decrease) to levels roughly 9-10 percent higher (lower) than those under the intermediate assumptions.

For the 2006 Trustees Report the base period for death and recovery rates was updated from 1991-95 to 1996-20006. Projection factors to be applied to the base period were chosen so that the age-adjusted rates for males and females would be roughly equal to the age-adjusted rates in last year's Trustees Report.

For the long-range period, projection of death rates and recovery rates begins with an analysis of such rates split by age, sex, and duration of entitlement over the base period 1996-2000.7 For all three sets of assumptions the ultimate recovery rates are reached in the twentieth year of the projection period. Under the intermediate assumptions ultimate recovery rates are assumed to be lower than the base period rate by 1 percent for males and higher than the base period rate by 16 percent for females. Death rates over the long-range period are assumed to change gradually, at about the same trend as for death rates in the general population, reaching levels in 2080 which are lower than the base period level by 57 percent for males and 55 percent for females.

Under the low cost assumptions, recovery rates and death rates are assumed to be higher than the corresponding levels assumed for the intermediate assumptions. Ultimate recovery rates are assumed to be higher than the base period rate by 19 percent for males and by 40 percent for females, while death rates are assumed to change gradually reaching levels for 2080 which are lower than the base period level by 40 percent for males and 38 percent for females.

Under the high cost assumptions, recovery rates and death rates are assumed to be lower than the corresponding levels assumed for the intermediate assumptions. Ultimate recovery rates are assumed to be lower than the base period rate by 21 percent for males and by 7 percent for females, while death rates are assumed to change gradually reaching levels for 2080 which are lower than the base period level by 74 percent for both males and females.

These detailed projections of disabled-worker entitlements and terminations are combined using standard multiple decrement techniques to produce numbers of disabled workers in current-payment status over the 75-year projection period. The projection is presented in table V.C6. As indicated in that table, the number of disabled workers in current-payment status is projected to grow from 6.5 million at the end of 2005, to 11.4 million, 12.6 million, or 13.7 million at the end of 2080, under the low cost, intermediate, or high cost assumptions, respectively. Of course, much of this growth is a direct result of the growth and aging of the population described earlier in this chapter.

Another way to view this projected growth in disabled workers is to compare the size of the projected disabled-worker population to the size of the underlying disability-insured population reflecting the age-sex distribution of the insured population as of January 1, 2000. Such a ratio eliminates the effects of the aging population and is referred to as the disabled worker age-sex-adjusted prevalence rate. Expressed in these terms, the prevalence of disability is projected to grow from 38.5 per thousand disability insured at the beginning of 2005, to 47.4 per thousand, and 60.4 per thousand at the beginning of 2080, under the intermediate, and high cost assumptions, respectively. Under the low cost assumptions, the disability prevalence rate is projected to decrease to 35.8 per thousand.

Table V.C6 also presents projections of the numbers of auxiliary beneficiaries paid from the DI Trust Fund. As indicated at the beginning of this subsection, such auxiliary beneficiaries consist of qualifying spouses and children of disabled workers. In the case of children, the child must be either (1) under age 18, (2) age 18 or 19 and still a student in high school, or (3) over age 18 and disabled prior to age 22. In the case of spouses, the spouse must either be at least age 62, or have an eligible child beneficiary who is either under age 16 or disabled in his or her care.

In general, such auxiliary beneficiaries are projected in a manner that is related to the projected number of disabled-worker beneficiaries. In the short-range period, this is accomplished for family members of disabled-worker beneficiaries by projecting incidence and termination rates for each category of auxiliary beneficiary. In the long-range period, the child beneficiaries at ages 18 and under are projected in relation to the projected number of children in the population, by applying factors representing the probability that either of their parents is insured and disabled. Spouses eligible because they have an eligible child in care are projected relative to the projected number of such children. The remaining categories of children and spouses are projected in relation to the projected number of disabled-worker beneficiaries.

Table V.C6.-DI Beneficiaries With Benefits in Current-Payment Status at the End of
Calendar Years 1960-2080 

[In thousands]

Calendar year
Disabled
worker
Auxiliaries
Total
Spouse
Child
Historical data:
 
1960
455
77
155
687
 
1965
988
193
558
1,739
 
1970
1,493
283
889
2,665
 
1975
2,488
453
1,411
4,351
 
1980
2,856
462
1,359
4,677
 
1985
2,653
306
945
3,904
 
1986
2,725
301
965
3,991
 
1987
2,782
291
968
4,041
 
1988
2,826
281
963
4,070
 
1989
2,891
271
962
4,124
 
1990
3,007
266
989
4,261
 
1991
3,191
266
1,052
4,509
 
1992
3,464
271
1,151
4,886
 
1993
3,721
273
1,255
5,249
 
1994
3,958
271
1,350
5,579
 
1995
4,179
264
1,409
5,852
 
1996
4,378
224
1,463
6,065
 
1997
4,501
207
1,438
6,146
 
1998
4,691
190
1,446
6,327
 
1999
4,870
176
1,468
6,514
 
2000
5,036
165
1,466
6,667
 
2001
5,268
157
1,482
6,907
 
2002
5,539
152
1,526
7,217
 
2003
5,869
151
1,571
7,590
 
2004
6,198
153
1,599
7,950
 
2005
6,519
157
1,633
8,309
Intermediate:
 
2010
7,757
183
1,753
9,693
 
2015
8,475
183
1,807
10,465
 
2020
9,090
192
1,896
11,178
 
2025
9,852
231
2,031
12,114
 
2030
10,011
233
2,177
12,422
 
2035
10,187
238
2,284
12,709
 
2040
10,474
251
2,358
13,083
 
2045
10,992
269
2,408
13,670
 
2050
11,261
278
2,450
13,989
 
2055
11,570
289
2,495
14,354
 
2060
11,701
290
2,541
14,532
 
2065
11,966
299
2,589
14,854
 
2070
12,113
299
2,632
15,044
 
2075
12,387
308
2,672
15,367
 
2080
12,645
315
2,713
15,673
Low Cost:
 
2010
7,272
167
1,626
9,064
 
2015
7,445
157
1,577
9,178
 
2020
7,662
155
1,619
9,437
 
2025
8,096
178
1,741
10,015
 
2030
8,088
170
1,892
10,151
 
2035
8,176
166
2,025
10,367
 
2040
8,402
169
2,138
10,709
 
2045
8,838
180
2,232
11,251
 
2050
9,101
186
2,315
11,601
 
2055
9,418
192
2,413
12,024
 
2060
9,639
193
2,525
12,356
 
2065
10,019
200
2,645
12,864
 
2070
10,385
202
2,763
13,350
 
2075
10,907
211
2,879
13,997
 
2080
11,425
220
2,996
14,641
High Cost:
 
2010
8,423
206
1,928
10,557
 
2015
9,742
214
2,078
12,033
 
2020
10,682
241
2,170
13,093
 
2025
11,762
301
2,294
14,358
 
2030
12,065
316
2,408
14,789
 
2035
12,346
331
2,463
15,140
 
2040
12,723
355
2,478
15,555
 
2045
13,357
382
2,469
16,208
 
2050
13,647
390
2,464
16,502
 
2055
13,946
402
2,452
16,799
 
2060
13,963
397
2,427
16,788
 
2065
14,062
408
2,401
16,870
 
2070
13,891
400
2,368
16,659
 
2075
13,791
403
2,336
16,530
 
2080
13,673
401
2,308
16,382

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components.

7. Average Benefits

Average benefits are projected by type of benefit based on recent historical averages, projected average primary insurance amounts (PIAs), and projected ratios of average benefits to average PIAs. Average PIAs are calculated from projected distributions of beneficiaries by duration from year of award, average awarded PIAs, and increases thereto since the year of award, reflecting automatic benefit increases, recomputations to reflect additional covered earnings, and other factors. Average awarded PIAs are calculated from projected earnings histories, which are developed using a combination of the actual earnings histories associated with a sample of awards made in 2003, and more recent actual earnings levels by age and sex for covered workers.

For several types of benefits-retired-worker, aged-spouse, and aged-widow(er) benefits-the percentage of the PIA that is payable depends on the age at initial entitlement to benefits. Projected ratios of average benefits to average PIAs for these types of benefits are based on projections of age distributions at initial entitlement.

8. Benefit Payments

For each type of benefit, benefit payments are calculated as the product of a number of beneficiaries and a corresponding average monthly benefit. In the short-range period, benefit payments are calculated on a quarterly basis. In the long-range period, all benefit payments are calculated on an annual basis, using the number of beneficiaries on December 31. These amounts are adjusted to include retroactive payments to newly awarded beneficiaries, and other amounts not reflected in the regular monthly benefit payments.

Lump-sum death payments are calculated as the product of (1) the number of such payments, which is projected on the basis of the assumed death rates, the projected fully insured population, and the estimated percentage of the fully insured population that would qualify for benefits, and (2) the amount of the lump-sum death payment, which is $255 (not indexed in future years).

9. Administrative Expenses

The projection of administrative expenses through 2015 is based on historical experience and the expected growth in average wages. Additionally, estimates for the first several years of the projection are provided by the Office of Budget. For years after 2015, administrative expenses are assumed to increase because of increases in the number of beneficiaries and increases in the average wage which will more than offset assumed improvements in administrative productivity.

10. Railroad Retirement Financial Interchange

Railroad workers are covered under a separate multi-tiered plan, the first tier being very similar to OASDI coverage. An annual financial interchange between the Railroad Retirement fund and the OASI and DI funds is made reflecting the difference between (1) the amount of OASDI benefits that would be paid to railroad workers and their families if railroad employment had been covered under the OASDI program and administrative expenses associated with these benefits, and (2) the amount of OASDI payroll tax and income tax that would be received with allowances for interest from railroad workers.

The effect of the financial interchange with the Railroad Retirement program is evaluated on the basis of trends similar to those used in estimating the cost of OASDI benefits. The resulting effect is annual short-range costs of about $4-5 billion and a long-range summarized cost of 0.03 percent of taxable payroll to the OASDI program.

11. Benefits to Uninsured Persons

Some older persons had little or no chance to become fully insured for Social Security benefits during their working lifetimes. Special payments from the OASI Trust Fund may be granted to uninsured persons who either: (1) attained age 72 before 1968, or (2) attained age 72 in 1968 or later and had 3 quarters of coverage for each year after 1966 and before the year of attainment of age 72. Benefits and costs associated with uninsured persons of the first type above are reimbursable from the General Fund of the Treasury. All projected costs associated with reimbursable and non-reimbursable payments to uninsured persons are insignificant.

12. Military-Service Transfers

Beginning in 1966, the OASI and DI Trust Funds were reimbursed annually for the cost (including administrative expenses) of providing additional benefit payments resulting from noncontributory wage credits for military service performed prior to 1957. The 1983 amendments modified the reimbursement mechanism and the timing of the reimbursements, and required a transfer in 1983 to include all future costs attributable to the wage credits. The amendments also require adjustments to that 1983 transfer every fifth year, beginning with 1985, to account for actual data.

13. Income From Taxation of Benefits

Under present law, the OASI and DI Trust Funds are credited with the additional income taxes attributable to the taxation of up to the first 50 percent of OASI and DI benefit payments. (The remainder of the income taxes attributable to the taxation of up to 85 percent of OASI and DI benefit payments is credited to the HI Trust Fund.)

For the short-range period, income to the trust funds from such taxation is estimated by applying the following two factors to total OASI and DI benefit payments: (1) the percentage of benefit payments (limited to 50 percent) that is taxable, and (2) the average marginal tax rate applicable to those benefits.

For the long-range period, income to the trust funds from such taxation is estimated by applying projected ratios of taxation of OASI and DI benefits to total OASI and DI benefit payments. Because the income thresholds used for benefit taxation are, by law, constant in the future, their values in relation to future income and benefit levels will decline. Thus, ratios of income from taxation of benefits to the amount of benefits are projected to increase gradually. Ultimate tax ratios for OASI and DI benefits are estimated by eliminating the current threshold amounts for taxation of OASDI benefits completely and adjusting the OASDI beneficiary distribution in a recent Current Population Survey for the projected 75th year age-sex distribution of the SSA beneficiary population.


1Details of these indexation procedures are published annually in the Federal Register, and are also available on the Social Security website at www.socialsecurity.gov/OACT/COLA/index.html.

2The disability-exposed population is the disability-insured population that is not currently entitled for disabled-worker benefits.

3Incidence rates are adjusted upward to account for the additional workers who are expected to file for disability benefits rather than for reduced retirement benefits that are even more reduced when the NRA is greater than age 65.

4A more detailed discussion of the recent history of the DI program is presented in Actuarial Study 118, "Social Security Disability Insurance Program Worker Experience", June 2005. This study can be found on the Internet at www.socialsecurity.gov/OACT/NOTES/as118/DI-WrkerExper_Foreword.html.

5Reasons for termination reflected in the projections include death, recovery and (in the short range only) a small residual category of terminations for special administrative reasons.

6For an analysis of these two periods see Actuarial Study 118, "Social Security Disability Insurance Program Worker Experience," June 2005. This study can be found on the Social Security website at www.socialsecurity.gov/OACT/NOTES/as118/DI-WrkerExper_Forewoard.html.

7The termination rate analysis was based on work presented in Actuarial Study 118, "Social Security Disability Insurance Program Worker Experience," June 2005. This study can be found on the Social Security website at www.socialsecurity.gov/OACT/NOTES/as118/DI-WrkerExper_Foreword.html.


Contents Previous Next List of Tables List of Figures Index  

 Link to FirstGov.gov: U.S. Government portal Privacy Policy  | Website Policies & Other Important Information  | Site Map
Need Larger Text?