Four Reasons Why Working Adults Need Disability Insurance
Long Term Disability
Many people think they don’t need Disability insurance, especially if they have group coverage through work, but an individual policy can protect your family’s finances when you need it most.
Here are four reasons to consider protecting your income with Long Term Disability (LTD) insurance.
Discounted Income Protection Plans
Our individual plans provide coverage in the event you’re too sick or injured to work or to care for your family. Own and keep your policy, even if you change jobs.
- Falls. Your income is more valuable than you may think. Your ability to make a living is crucial for building wealth and achieving financial stability. A steady income goes beyond meeting everyday needs. It allows for choices, flexibility, and the pursuit of a better future.
- The risk is very real. Although no one likes to think about it, the likelihood of a disability is more common than most people realize. The chance of missing months or years of work may seem remote, especially if you’re young and healthy. But more than one in four 20-year-olds will experience a disability before reaching retirement age.1 Back injuries, cancer, heart attacks, diabetes, and other illnesses lead to most disability claims.
Loss of income is a leading cause of personal bankruptcy in America.2
Over 40% of people who file for bankruptcy report that medical issues contributed to their loss of work.3 - Savings can deplete fast! Most of us aren’t financially prepared to miss work. Even with emergency savings, you may not be ready for a worst-case scenario, such as a disability that lasts for years. In addition to lost income, you’ll likely face expensive medical bills and other unexpected costs. LTD insurance can support you during a prolonged illness or injury sparing you from dipping into your savings and forfeiting your future goals.
- Employer coverage leaves a financial gap. Your employer may provide group disability insurance, but a disabling event or serious illness can leave you with a financial gap. Group LTD coverage typically replaces about 60% of your salary, not including bonuses or other compensation. Adding an individual LTD policy to your group plan can bring your coverage up to 80% of your total compensation. Plus, individual plans are customizable and stay with you beyond your employment.
LTD insurance is one of the most critical safety nets you can have. Without a paycheck and a backup source of income, you might have to find ways to cover your financial obligations at a time when you’re also managing an illness or injury. If you rely on your income, consider LTD insurance.
1 Social Security Administration, SSA.gov, accessed March 2025.
2 Bankruptcy Statistics, Debt.org, March 2025.
3 “Medical Bankruptcy: Still Common Despite the Affordable Care Act,” National Library of Medicine, nih.gov, accessed March 2025.
