THE PREVALENCE OF EMPLOYER-PROVIDED BENEFITS BY INDUSTRY OF EMPLOYMENT AND IMPLICATIONS FOR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY INSURANCE CLAIMING BEHAVIOR

Policymakers seek effective ways to restore or maintain the labor force participation of current and potential Social Security Disability Insurance (DI) beneficiaries. The availability of certain types of employer-provided benefits may affect whether workers with health impairments are able to maintain employment. In this research note, we use National Compensation Survey data to estimate the availability of employer-sponsored health insurance and paid leave by industry. We find that most types of employer-provided benefits were offered to greater shares of state and local government workers than to private-sector workers. However, private short- and long-term disability insurance offerings were more prevalent in the private sector.