The Social Security Administration will see a sharper increase in new disability claims than previously predicted. An aging population combined with a weak economy are big reasons why. It is estimated that there will possibly be 3.3 million new disability claims over the next year. This is an increase from previous estimates. For years the Social Security Administration has struggled managing the backlog of pending disability claims. The expected increase is expected to make that problem worse, and it is happening at a time when the agency was showing signs of catching up. The furlough of hundreds of state employees who process initial benefit claims also reduces the overall capacity to process pending claims. A few highlights of an Associated Press article are included below...

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