A new analysis from Charles River Associates finds that group disability insurance protects as many as 500,000 families a year, translating into direct savings of $4.5 billion for taxpayers and the government.

The analysis, which was commissioned by employee benefits group Unum, was released during a symposium held on July 27 by the Financial Services Roundtable, the American Savings Education Council, and the Aspen Institute.

“These benefits provide a financial safety net in the event of misfortune, helping the government avoid billions of dollars in public assistance payments as a direct consequence of the insurance,” said David F. Babbel, emeritus professor at The Wharton School and leader of the Insurance Economics Practice at Charles River Associates in a statement.

The analysis, Financial Security for Working Americans: An Economic Analysis of Insurance Products in Workplace Benefits Programs explores these benefits, from individual need to business value and social benefits.

According to the analysis, most consumers lack basic financial protection, and the workplace is the most effective avenue for access to affordable coverage. These benefits provide undeniable and concrete value to the government as well as the individuals they help protect.

But the report showed that, despite the importance of disability coverage, two-thirds of Americans don't have access to these benefits at work.

Additional findings from the analysis include:

About 1 in 3 workers will be disabled for at least 6 months during his or her earning years, with the median length of disability being 2.5 years.
Most Americans do not have the financial resources to pay their bills if they become unable to work. More than 70 percent of American households could not pay their normal living expenses if a wage earner is disabled for six months.
Employers today spend $10 billion in premium each year to provide disability insurance to 40 million workers. Collectively, this insurance generates $590 billion in economic welfare for employees.
The $21 billion employers currently spend on group life insurance generates up to $3.5 trillion in economic welfare for 75 million covered employees.
Group disability premiums can be as little as $25 per month or $300 per year, and group term life insurance premiums for someone just starting a career can be less than $1 per year per $1,000 of death benefit.
An employee in his twenties earning $40,000 to $50,000 per year suffering a disability can obtain well over $1 million in payments from an employer-sponsored disability plan.
In 2009, only 60 percent of civilian wage earners were covered by group life insurance, and only 32 percent were covered by group long-term disability insurance.
Wage earners with disability coverage are much less likely to fall into poverty if they become disabled, and therefore are less likely to require public financial assistance.

Instant Insights /

Disability insurance saves taxpayers $4.5 billion

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