[The duration of disability pensions in Iceland].
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the long-term outcome for recipients of disability pension in Iceland.


METHODS
The study includes all those receiving disability pension for the first time in 1992 in Iceland. Their status in the disability register at the State Social Security Institute of Iceland November 30th 2004 was examined as to whether they were still receiving disability pension, had died, had reached the age of retirement or were not receiving disability pension any more for some other reasons.


RESULTS
In 1992 there were 725 new recipients of disability pension in Iceland, 428 females and 297 males. Twelve years later 434 from this group were no longer receiving disability pension, 240 females and 194 males. In most cases this was because they had reached the age of retirement or died (on average 88% of the females and 91% of the males each year). Only 12% of the females and 9% of the males ceased to receive disability pension (and probably went back to work).


CONCLUSIONS
In Iceland few people return to work once they have started receiving disability pension.
Thorlacius
Sigurdur
S
The State Social Security Institute, Laugavegi 114, 150 Reykjavík, Iceland. sigurdur.thorlacius@tr.is
Herbertsson
Tryggvi Thór
TT
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007055:Iceland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors