Proposed Rule Could Reduce Access for Older Americans
The Social Security Administration (SSA) is reportedly considering new rules that would make it harder for older Americans to qualify for disability benefits. The plan, developed under the Trump administration, could remove age as a factor in determining whether someone is capable of working.
Currently, the SSA considers age, education, and work experience when deciding if an applicant can adjust to other types of work. Older individuals—typically those over 50—are more likely to qualify because age is treated as a limiting factor. Under the new proposal, that consideration could disappear or be raised to age 60.
How Many Could Lose Benefits
According to Jack Smalligan, a senior policy fellow at the Urban Institute, removing age as a factor could reduce eligibility for disability benefits by up to 10%, meaning as many as 750,000 fewer people might receive benefits over the next decade.
The change could also affect family members who depend on these benefits. Smalligan estimated that roughly 80,000 fewer widows and children could lose access due to reduced eligibility of a spouse or parent.
Why the Rule Is Being Proposed
SSA officials say the goal is to “modernize” the disability adjudication process and ensure the program stays efficient and up to date. Part of that modernization includes replacing outdated labor market data—still referencing jobs like “nut sorter” and “telephone quotation clerk”—with a new computer-generated database using Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Conservative policymakers argue that because people are living longer and fewer jobs require physical labor, older Americans should be able to adapt to new types of work. Critics, however, say this reasoning ignores the barriers older disabled workers face when re-entering the workforce.
Concerns from Disability Advocates
Disability advocates warn that eliminating age as a factor could deny benefits to tens of thousands of eligible people each year. Michelle Spadafore, a senior attorney with the New York Legal Assistance Group, noted that many older disabled clients struggle to keep up with the technical and physical demands of modern work—and employers may be reluctant to hire workers nearing retirement age.
Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon called the proposal “the largest cut to disability insurance in American history,” arguing that it would force Americans to work longer and make it harder for people with disabilities to access benefits they’ve earned.
The Bigger Picture
More than 15 million Americans currently receive monthly disability checks through Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Despite this, applications for disability benefits have declined by about 7% in the last year, even as denials are increasing.
If finalized, the proposed changes could reshape who qualifies for disability assistance—and leave many older Americans with reduced support or forced early retirement.
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