Disability in a High-Work Society Case of Iceland Stefán Ólafsson University of Iceland Plenum talk II, at the Conference The Capacity to Avoid Incapacity, Hotel Nordica, Reykjavík 9th November

Contents Growing numbers of disability pensioners Comparing extent of disability pensioners Employment participation of the disabled New survey amongst disability pensioners - Characteristics - Work in the life of disability pensioners - Attitides to work and rehabilitation Summary Conclusions: Policy guidelines

Number of invalidity pensioners (All) Total, Men and Women

Proportion of invalidity pensioners (All) Age groups (16-66), Males and Females, in 2008 Total: From 4% in 1990 to 7,4% of population 2008 Women=63%; Men =37%

Size of Disability Pensioners Group as a % of Population aged OECD-Countries in Source: OECD 2009 and TR

Employment Patterns of OECD Countries 2007 Iceland Highest

Labour market exits in Nordic Countries % Receiving Any Pension, by age (16-66): Males and Females

Employment Participation of All People with Disabilities Year 2005 (% in some employment) Source: OECD 2009

Disability and Work Disability and Rehabilitation Pensioners total= 8,4% of ages % of All People with Disability are in some employment 29% of Disability Pension Receivers were in some employment during last 6 months; 21% are in employment now. What does this mean? Great sucess in getting people with disabilities into work, in general Those employed who get sick or have accidents return back to work to a great extent, compared to other nations People at working ages have very high employment participation There are generally relatively few unemployed in Iceland and few on sickness benefit, but relatively many on disability benefit The biggest challenge should be to activate and rehabilitate the long-term unemployed and those already on disability pension. The present crisis increases this policy relevance

New Survey on Social Conditions, Participation and Attitudes of Disability Pensioners in Iceland, done in 2009 by Guðrún Hannesdóttir, Sigurður Thorlacius and Stefán Ólafsson This survey supports the analysis above The following are some results from this new survey Disability and Work: New Survey

% of sample% of replies Mental and behavioral disorder Musculo-skeletal diseases Nervous system and sense organs Injuries and neoplasms Mental retardation and congenital Circulatory system, heart etc Other (tumors etc.) Sum % Missing 4.50 Total100% N756 Main Causes of Disability – TR Analysis Disability and Work: New Survey

Respondents: Sample of All Disability pension receivers Disability and Work: New Survey

Respondents: Sample of All Disability pension receivers Disability and Work: New Survey

Respondents: Sample of All Disability pension receivers, not in work now Disability and Work: New Survey

Respondents: Those not interested in work now (about 35% of pensioners) Disability and Work: New Survey

Respondents: Those interested in work now (about 65% of pensioners) Disability and Work: New Survey

Respondents: Sample of All Disability pension receivers Disability and Work: New Survey

Respondents: Sample of All Disability pension receivers

Profile of Disability and Work: High work participation of people at working age(16-65) High work participation of people with disabilities Low work participation of people on disability pension Positive attitude to work amongst the disabled Most prefer part-time work (due to health limitations) Positive attitude to rehabilitation amongst the disabled Relatively many are on disability pension, but few on sickness benefit and unemployment benefit (long-term) Too big role for Disability Prension Scheme: Not good Inadequate vocational rehabilitation Summary

Decrease work related risk –monitor sickness absence from early on Strengthening the disability tests>Workability tests –Get more people on to rehabilitation benefit;fewer on disability Facilitate employment participation –Incentives to employers and the disabled; Support system; Increased Rehabilitation; Enlightenment in society and labour market Make institutions more efficient / Modernize One-stop-shop approach / One system for all Focus primarily on long-term unemployed and the already disabled; deal early with the newly sick. Conclusions: Good Policy Emphasis

Takk fyrir!

Retirement Pattern of Icelanders % Receiving Any Pension, by age (60-74): Males and Females

Retirement Pattern of Nordics % Receiving Any Pension, by age (60-74): Males

Retirement Pattern of Nordics % Receiving Any Pension, by age (60-74): Females

Contents