Applications for disability benefits plummet, extending life expectancy of program

The number of Americans applying for Social Security disability benefits has dropped dramatically, reversing a decadeslong trend that would have forced the program to end earlier than planned.

According to a New York Times report, the trend caused the agency to change its estimate for when it would deplete its funds. Two years ago, the funding was projected to be gone by 2023, but this month the agency suggested they wouldn’t run out until 2032, which is four years later than last year’s estimate.