Finance and Economics Discussion Series

Do Self-Insurance and Disability Insurance Prevent Consumption Loss on Disability?

Steffan G. Ball and Hamish W. Low
2009-31

Abstract: In this paper we show the extent to which public insurance and self-insurance mitigate the cost of health shocks that limit the ability to work. We use consumption data from the UK to estimate the insurance provided by the government disability programme and account for the effectiveness of alternative self-insurance mechanisms. Individuals with a work-limiting health condition, but in receipt of disability insurance, have 7 percent lower consumption than those without such a condition. Self-insurance through savings and a working partner each provide some insurance benefit, improving outcomes from 2 percent to 4 percent. Reductions in the generosity of incapacity benefit after 1995 are associated with increases in the consumption loss associated with disability.

Keywords: Disability insurance, living standards, consumption, liquidity constraints