May 03, 2018
Work injuries long term hit on incomes
University of Otago researchers have found older workers who are injured can lose between 20 and 30 per cent of their work income.
However, that is mitigated by public income transfers provided by ACC, other benefits and New Zealand Superannuation, so the average total income losses fall to between 3 and 7 per cent.
That compares to the United States, where a similar study found older workers experienced on average a 15 per cent loss of earnings three years after injury.
Dr Rebbecca Lilley, a senior research fellow at the university’s Injury Prevention Research Unit, says it highlights the importance of the social welfare safety nets, especially at an age workers need to be saving for their retirement.
The majority of those injured were male with a higher percentage of Maori and those employed in the construction and manufacturing industries.
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