The Indicator from Planet Money · Friday, October 2, 2026
Alicia Minnell proposes an alternative to lowering the retirement age for physically demanding jobs: making it easier for workers in these roles to qualify for Social Security disability benefits. She notes that the disability insurance program is currently on solid financial footing, unlike the retirement trust fund.
“She thinks a better way to help blue-collar workers who are getting older and can't physically work anymore is to make it easier for them to qualify for Social Security's disability benefits, which are different from Social Security's retirement benefits.”
“And unlike the Retirement Trust Fund, the disability insurance program is actually on solid financial footing.”