UM20-02: Education and Return to Work Among Veterans
Researchers
Abstract
We will use data from Veteran’s return to work after disability onset to describe how age and education affect work. This will give SSA information that could improve the disability determination process (help make more accurate determinations using a vocational grid). We will use a sample of Veterans Affairs (VA) Disability Compensation (DC) beneficiaries, and examine employment and earnings before and after disability onset by education and age. Unlike recipients of federal disability programs for civilians, most of these beneficiaries do not face strong program incentives not to work, so their outcomes may be more reflective of their capacity to perform work. We will also compare survey and administrative data, and discuss predictions for the civilian population.