To be eligible for Social Security disability benefits, an employee must be unable to perform?

To qualify for Social Security disability benefits, the standard requires that an individual must be unable to perform any substantial gainful activity due to a physical or mental impairment that has lasted or is expected to last for at least 12 months or result in death. This means that the focus is not limited to the person's current job; rather, it encompasses their ability to engage in any work across the entire labor market.

The rationale behind this criterion is to ensure that benefits are reserved for individuals facing significant barriers to employment in any job, regardless of their specific skills or work history. Being unable to perform "any occupation" takes into account the complete range of jobs that exist, which includes those that might not directly relate to their current occupation or utilize their previous skills.

This understanding aligns with the Social Security Administration's approach to assessing disability, as it evaluates not only the individual’s current occupation but also broader job possibilities that may be available given their experience and qualifications. Thus, demonstrating an inability to perform any occupation is crucial for eligibility.