RWLW - Social Security Counsel

Roberti, Wittenberg, Lauffer, & Wicker, Attorneys at Law.

Social Security Counsel of Benefits

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Back to Social Security Questions

How are age and education taken into account in the determination of disability?

Age is considered to the extent that it affects your ability to adapt to a new work situation and perform work in competition with others.

People are broken into groups by age:

1. under 50 years
2. 50-54 years
3. 55-59 years
4. 60-64 years

As you move from group to group, the presumed affect on you as a result of change and competition increases. A younger person is not presumed to be affected by change and competition, whereas a person close to retirement age is presumed unable to adjust even to light or sedentary work, unless they have skills which are highly marketable.

Educational background is also categorized:

1. Illiterate (unable to read or write)
2. Marginally educated (less than 6th grade level)
3. Limited (completion of grades 7-11)
4. High School educated or more (completion of 12th grade or higher)
5. Inability to communicate in English.

The higher your education category, the higher skill level work you will be expected to be able to do. A marginally educated individual is only expected to be able to do unskilled work, where a high school graduate or above is expected to be able to perform semi-skilled or even skilled employment.

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