It is not surprising that government requires more and more revenue just to exist. Just take a look at a small government entity built on good intentions, but ballooned to a behemoth in just over 60 years, one generation. What will the next sixty look like?

The disability program originated in the 1950s as a means to provide support for workers over 50 who became disabled on the job and were unable to continue working in advance of retirement. The program was small, but provided critical support to workers who had been injured on the job. 

As the report from Our Generation details, however, eligibility requirements have been loosened, benefits increased and the applications process cannot effectively distinguish between genuine disabilities and fraud. As a result, the program spends over $130 billion a year. That amount is more than the federal government spends on highways and transportation or education. 

“Social Security Disability Insurance is meant to provide assistance to Americans who are unable to work due to physical or mental disabilities. Unfortunately, 8.9 million Americans now collect disability benefits, and this well-intentioned program has ballooned into a $135 billion bureaucracy rife with waste, fraud and abuse,” said MacMillin Slobodien, Executive Director of Our Generation.