A follow-up study of 97 persons who were granted a disability pension in 1987 or 1988 after closure of a shipyard showed 82 alive in 1995. The predominant diagnoses were musculoskeletal complaints, heart disease and psychiatric disorders. The 82 who were still alive were in good health and satisfied with their pension. However, if the factory had not been closed down, many of them could probably have continued in work. For many of them, and especially the youngest, the first year on disability pension was difficult. Based on today's more restricted rules, we have estimated that 25% of the applications for disablement benefit would have been refused.
