The Top 5 Reasons Why People Go Out of Work and Stay Out of Work

Used in 2 entries

For each citing entry, the verbatim excerpt and Likelier's calculation notes (how the source's number was converted to the lifetime-probability framing) are shown below. Click through to read the full claim ledger.

1. [1] Mental health LTD claim Risk

   Statistic

   Mental health challenges account for 9.1% of long-term disability claims; musculoskeletal disorders account for nearly one-third

   “"Mental health challenges — including depression and anxiety disorders — account for 9.1 percent of long-term disability claims."”

   Calculation notes

   CDIA's analysis of group LTD insurer claims data. The 9.1% figure covers mental and nervous conditions including depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and schizophrenia. CDIA notes that the true incidence may be higher because depression often goes untreated or is attributed to a comorbid physical cause in claims coding. Step 1: SSA 25% lifetime disability × 9.1% mental health share = 0.023 ≈ 0.022. The 24-month benefit duration limit in most group LTD policies (noted by the DOL ERISA Advisory Council 2023) means that long-duration mental health claimants are likely undercounted relative to physical disability claimants.
   

   Independence note: CDIA compiles data from multiple large group LTD insurer claim databases. This is distinct from SSA SSDI administrative data (which shows mental disorders accounting for a larger share of SSDI approvals) and from general population mental health prevalence surveys.

   Source date: 2018-04-30 · Accessed: 2026-05-14

2. [2] Musculoskeletal LTD claim Risk

   Statistic

   Musculoskeletal disorders are responsible for nearly one-third (approximately 29-33%) of all long-term disability claims, making them the leading cause

   “"Musculoskeletal disorders [are] responsible for a nearly third of all long-term disability claims."”

   Calculation notes

   CDIA's analysis of LTD insurer claims data places musculoskeletal disorders as the single largest category at ~29-33% of claims (varies slightly by year and insurer dataset). Back and spine conditions are the largest sub-category within musculoskeletal. Cancer is the second most common cause at ~15% of claims, followed by injuries at ~11%. Mental health/nervous conditions account for ~9% and circulatory conditions ~9%. Step 1 calculation: SSA 25% lifetime disability × 0.29 musculoskeletal share = 0.073 lifetime unconditional probability.
   

   Independence note: CDIA compiles data from multiple large group LTD insurer claim databases. This is independent of SSA SSDI administrative data; employer LTD and SSDI have different eligibility thresholds and populations. Both sources converge on similar overall disability incidence.

   Source date: 2018-04-30 · Accessed: 2026-05-14

Also cited in these entries

HealthDirect

Mental health LTD claim

What are the odds of filing a long-term disability claim for a mental health condition?

1 in 45 lifetime(2.2%)

OtherDirect

Musculoskeletal LTD claim

What are the odds of filing a long-term disability claim for a musculoskeletal condition?

1 in 14 lifetime(7.3%)