I wish we had a good study on how the "gig economy", that is people who work in various sorts of non-traditional employment such as temp work, being an Uber driver, etc., affects Social Security disability. Some researchers associated with the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College have a report out on the subject. Unfortunately, it doesn't answer any questions that seem important to me but, at least, it's a start. Maybe these researchers or others will keep working on it.
I'd really like to know whether the existence of the gig economy helps people avoid filing disability claims. Maybe they can't sustain regular, full time employment but maybe they can sustain intermittent employment, so long as they can choose when they work. If it does, is this truly a good thing? Gig employment, from what I've seen, mostly leads to impoverishment. It just takes a bit longer to get there than if you're fully unemployed.
You are right. It is much better to have people collect a small disability check from the government and to keep those representative fees coming.
ReplyDeleteI'd also love to know its effect on FICA taxes. I assume there would be a decrease.
ReplyDeleteMy 59 year-old [erstwhile college educated]homeless[ahhh not quite he lives in his car] client with 1998 stroke [with residual one-side weakness sequelae], depression, COPD (FEV-1 short of listing by .5) works 10-15 jobs per year from temp over last 8 years. Still no annual SGA ...but VE finds 10 unskilled or semi-skilled past relevant jobs from composite work and tries to deny $1700/mo PIA. "The problem", my client says, is that he is too slow by the end of day coughing and after several days of work he needs a break.
ReplyDeleteYet,@12:15, the-omniscient-cat-bird-seat-looker-downer, spies us slackers and doesn't believe my client should let up, and be able to be made more financially secure from his disability insurance policy from his fully-paid governmental variable annuity [let's not forget *God Bless Johnson* Medicare/Medicaid] -- just because [says 12;15] it is "small" and just because my client was unable to procure it themselves!
[and probably,thinks 12:15], "THE ANNUITY is paid from the nasty socialist government and not those twarted "2001-Bush-SSA imagined-investments". Well,OMG let @12:15 continue to clip his coupons and look down from his place of security on us --my client and me. What arrogance and hypocrisy from a selfish dog-in-the-manger!
Like I said elsewhere, you often can't tell the difference between a troll and an SSA employee. I suppose I could add Rand Paul, Tom Cotton, James Lankford types to the equation. All demonstrate their lack of imagination of "walking in the shoes" of those less fortunate, let alone people like 3:27's client, me and others denied by this corrupt system. I propose a new one. Bring in 8-10 potential employers as a "jury." In order to be found NOT disabled, (after the hearing) at least one has to offer a Full time job with Benefits. All necessary accommodations must be met, including paid days off as needed, etc. I have a feeling these VEs/ALJs etc. would have a different view of someone's skills and limitations if there was a penalty to being wrong!!!!
ReplyDeleteI think its going to be a major problem when these "gig" workers reach retirement age and realize that they do not get Social Security because they have not been paying self-employment taxes....
ReplyDeleteAgree 1:05. I have spoken to many people who have avoided paying social security taxes on self employment jobs (from Uber drivers and housekeepers to restaurant owners) who come to me when they become disabled and realize that when they were being so smart in hiding income as self employment, they screwed themselves over for Social Security benefits.
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