America's baby boomers are currently in too much debt and would not have the finances to deal with a potential disability.

That is according to Karen Ignagni, president and chief executive officer of America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), who has been reflecting on a recent survey conducted by Harris Interactive.

She said that people in the US do not currently have enough savings "to weather even a short-term disability".

The study claimed that 15 percent of people born just after the war were very or extremely financially prepared if a disability occurred, while 55 percent felt they were not at all or somewhat prepared for that eventuality.

"Most baby boomers will face serious financial hardship if a disability occurs," said Humphrey Taylor, chairman of the poll.

Results from a LA Times/Bloomberg survey earlier this month showed that the percentage of people who believe their finances are very or fairly secure has dropped below 60 per cent for the first time in 15 years.

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