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“In 1960, some 455,000 workers were receiving disability payments. In 2011, the number was 8,600,000. In 1960, the percentage of the economically active 18-to-64 population receiving disability benefits was 0.65 percent. In 2010, it was 5.6 percent.  Things have changed. Americans have grown healthier, and significantly lower numbers die before 65 than was the case a half-century ago. Nevertheless, the disability rolls have ballooned.  Eberstadt points out that in 1960, only one-fifth of disability benefits went to those with ‘mood disorders’ and ‘muscoskeletal’ problems. In 2011, nearly half of those on disability voiced such complaints.”

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2012/12/03/men_find_careers_in_collecting_disability_116308.html