Minimum Wages and Social Security Take-up

This study uses linked survey-administrative data to study the relationship between minimum wages and both social security disability insurance and social security retirement insurance. We analyze the relationship between minimum wages and disability claims by examining changes in the probability of claiming disability insurance after minimum wage increases for low-wage workers. We analyze the relationship between minimum wages and retirement by analyzing near- or at-retirement age workers. These results have important implications for understanding the comprehensive effect of minimum wages for both workers and the government by providing new evidence on minimum wages and receipt of public assistance.