Your chances of being disabled? Slim, right?Wrong!
Most Baby Boomers underestimate their risk of becoming disabled, according to a recent Harris Interactive survey.
"Baby Boomers' lack of awareness of their risk of disability presents a significant threat to their financial security," said Karen Ignagni, President and CEO of America's Health Insurance Plans. "When individuals underestimate their risk of disability, they are less likely to protect their income and are more vulnerable to the financial hardship that suffering a disability can cause."
The survey found that just over a third of Baby Boomers think the chances of becoming disabled due to illness or injury is 5 percent or less, a slight majority think the chances are 10 percent or less, and two-thirds think the chances are 20 percent or less.
In reality, a worker has a 30 percent chance of suffering a disabling injury or illness resulting in a three-month or longer absence from work, according to the Social Security Administration.
Those surveys seemed confused about the most common cause of disabilities, believing that work injuries, back, muscular or joint problems and other injuries are the most likely culprits.
However, diseases suh as cancer, heart disease and diabetes cause more disabilities.
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