3 ms·

I agree in principle, but 70-80k is quite a stretch.

• zaroth 10y ago
  First, it matters a lot how you define "an $80k / year job". If you are talking about the gross payroll, taxes and benefits (PT&B) cost to the employer, it's a lot different than $80k "net take-home". I mean the former. Call that $50k take-home. Second, it matters if you are an adult disabled with a family being paid children benefits. Children and spousal benefits can boost total SSDI income up to 80%. Third, it matters how sick you are. Employee health plans will often have large deductibles and even higher annual out-of-pocket maximums. Medicaid has neither. The poor man insurance could save you over $20k per year. Fourth, it matters how handy you are and therefore how much you can make of that extra 50 hours per week you get by being on SSDI. If you can repair your house, repair your car, cook all your own meals, and never have to hire a contractor for anything, that can save a LOT of money. Maybe on SSDI you don't need a car at all. Maybe on SSDI you never have to call the car mechanic, the plumber, the handyman, or the housecleaner, etc. Most particularly, maybe on SSDI you don't have to pay for childcare. The direct, indirect, and opportunity costs of working could easily exceed $20k. In review, let's say your $50k take home job results in $10k increase in healthcare costs, and also a $10k increase in other total household expenses; increased auto expense, food cost, restaurant bills, mechanics, handymen, and most of all, childcare. So you are working your ass off for $30k of income, where-as staying at home with SSDI would have paid you and your children $30k per year.