☰Menu

Calculate Your Personal Disability Risk with PDQ Tool

Author: Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2011/01/20 - Updated: 2026/01/18
Publication Type: Conversion, Calculation
Category Topic: Calculators - Charts - Related Publications

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates

Synopsis: This information provides access to a free actuarial risk assessment tool that helps individuals calculate their personal likelihood of experiencing a work-preventing disability between their current age and retirement. Developed by the Council for Disability Awareness using the 1985 Commissioners' Individual Disability Tables from the Society of Actuaries, the calculator offers personalized risk estimates based on factors including age, height, weight, health history, and occupation. The tool serves a practical purpose for anyone planning their financial future, particularly those who may underestimate their disability risk, and it also demonstrates how lifestyle factors such as smoking and weight affect disability probability, making it valuable for both personal financial planning and health awareness - Disabled World (DW).

Introduction

The Personal Disability Quotient calculator provides an opportunity to calculate your own chance of experiencing a long term disability from your present age to your likely retirement date.

The likelihood of you becoming disabled is higher than you probably imagined. With so much riding on your ability to earn an income, your PDQ number is a very important number to know.Your PDQ represents your chance of becoming seriously ill or injured and unable to work for a certain period of time.

Main Content

Everyone should know their chances of being disabled or being unable to earn an income.

The PDQ calculator is an easy way to calculate your own personal odds and discover what's really at stake.

To use the Personal Disability Quotient calculator just enter your information such as age, height and weight, some brief health history and a little about your work, and the calculator provides a personalized estimate of your risk of future disability. In addition the calculator also provides some insight into the impact of risk factors like smoking and being overweight.

The Personal Disability Quotient and the PDQ Calculator were both developed by the Council for Disability Awareness (CDA). The PDQ calculator is presented by the Council for Disability Awareness, a non-profit organization committed to educating working Americans about the frequency and financial impact of disability, and the importance of planning.

The statistical basis for the PDQ Calculator is the 1985 Commissioners' Individual Disability Tables A and C, Society of Actuaries.

The calculator may be freely accessed by visiting the Council for Disability Awareness website.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: Understanding your actual disability risk can be a wake-up call. Most working adults significantly underestimate their chances of facing a serious illness or injury that prevents them from earning an income, yet the statistics tell a different story. The PDQ Calculator bridges this knowledge gap by transforming abstract actuarial data into a personal number that reflects your unique circumstances. While no calculator can predict the future with certainty, having a realistic sense of risk allows for better planning - whether that means adjusting your insurance coverage, building emergency savings, or reconsidering health habits that increase vulnerability. The fact that this tool remains freely available through the Council for Disability Awareness means anyone can take five minutes to understand what's truly at stake in their working years, turning vague worry into informed action - Disabled World (DW).

Ian C. Langtree Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his .

Related Publications

• : Find out which foods to include and eliminate on a low FODMAP diet to reduce bloating, gas, and IBS symptoms with this practical reference guide.

• : Mediterranean diet scoring systems assess adherence to heart-healthy eating patterns that may reduce cognitive decline and physical disability in older adults.

• : The Health Octo Tool assesses biological aging using routine health data, aiding in early detection of age-related risks, especially for seniors and the disabled.

▶ Share Page
APA: Disabled World. (2011, January 20 - Last revised: 2026, January 18). Calculate Your Personal Disability Risk with PDQ Tool. Disabled World (DW). Retrieved February 19, 2026 from www.disabled-world.com/calculators-charts/pdq.php
MLA: Disabled World. "Calculate Your Personal Disability Risk with PDQ Tool." Disabled World (DW), 20 Jan. 2011, revised 18 Jan. 2026. Web. 19 Feb. 2026. <www.disabled-world.com/calculators-charts/pdq.php>.
Chicago: Disabled World. "Calculate Your Personal Disability Risk with PDQ Tool." Disabled World (DW). Last modified January 18, 2026. www.disabled-world.com/calculators-charts/pdq.php.

While we strive to provide accurate, up-to-date information, our content is for general informational purposes only. Please consult qualified professionals for advice specific to your situation.