Disability and return-to-work incentives – ISSA report

The International Social Security Association (ISSA) has released a report on supporting return-to-work for people on long-term disability benefits, providing timely insights into how social security institutions can better support beneficiaries seeking to re-enter the labour market.

The report Testing return-to-work incentives and supports for people on long-term disability benefits was first released in connection with the World Social Security Forum 2025, highlighting its relevance to current global debates on disability, inclusion and sustainable social security systems.

The report was prepared by the ISSA Technical Commission on Old-age, Invalidity and Survivors' Insurance and Employment and Social Development Canada. The ISSA Working Group on Rehabilitation, which has since become technical commission, also provided input. It presents preliminary findings from a pilot project testing enhanced return-to-work measures for long-term disability beneficiaries under the Canada Pension Plan Disability (CPPD) programme.

From policy design to real-world testing

Building on international research and policy discussions, the report examines how specific return-to-work incentives and supports perform in practice for CPPD beneficiaries who have reported they are attempting a return to work. The pilot tests a package of measures designed to reduce barriers to employment, including:

• individualized support and benefit counselling through dedicated Navigators;
• extended work trial periods to allow beneficiaries more time to assess their work capacity while retaining benefits with the goal of identifying the ideal length of time to support clients during a return to work; and,
• enhanced vocational rehabilitation approaches such as streamlined eligibility requirements and the introduction of supported employment measures.

Early findings suggest strong interest among beneficiaries in attempting a return to work when appropriate supports are in place, as well as encouraging trends in increased work activity and earnings. The report also highlights the importance of sustained, personalized guidance in helping beneficiaries navigate the transition from benefits to employment.

Contributing to ongoing ISSA knowledge development

The new report builds on earlier work, including a 2022 report that identified international best practices in incentives and employment supports for persons on long-term disability. While continuity with this earlier research is evident, the 2025 report places particular emphasis on implementation and testing, offering valuable lessons for administrations seeking to translate policy into operational change.

As part of the ISSA's broader series of technical commission reports, the publication contributes to the Association's mission to support excellence in social security administration and to promote inclusive labour markets worldwide. The report will be of particular interest to social security institutions working on disability benefits, rehabilitation and employment reintegration, and evidence-based reforms.