Disability Insurance

The ability to earn an income is one of your greatest assets.

What would happen to your finances if you couldn’t work for an extended period of time? This could result from a sudden illness or an accident.

One way to help protect against an interruption in earnings is through disability insurance. It provides a way to help replace lost income during a period of illness or injury. Depending on the type of disability insurance, short-term or long-term, this coverage provides funds to help you meet expenses over the length of your disability by providing monthly income – for months, years, or even the rest of your career.

Disability insurance can provide monthly payments for a portion of your monthly income. Policies typically don’t provide coverage for all of your income.

To calculate how much disability insurance you would need, consider all sources of income. Include your spouse’s wages and income from investments. Does your employer offer disability coverage as part of your benefit package? Be sure to include that benefit amount as well. It is important to think about your monthly income needs in after-tax dollars.

If your current disability insurance coverage does not meet your needs, you may be able to supplement your existing coverage with an individual disability insurance policy.

Short-term disability coverage usually covers the first 3-6 months of disability. This policy can fill the gap until your long-term policy is triggered. A short-term policy may also cover leave for pregnancy or surgery.

Long-term disability coverage usually covers the period beginning at six months and continuing through age 65, if necessary. Some employers offer long-term disability coverage as an employee benefit.

What if you are not ready to return to full-time work after a disability? Your disability policy may contain either a residual or partial disability provision that spells out what benefits you’ll receive if you can’t work full time.

What if you’re unable to work in the same job in which you have specialized skills and experience? The surgeon who cannot operate or the contractor who’s restricted physically may be forced to take a significant pay cut to work in a different capacity.

You may be able to choose between “own occupation” coverage or “any occupation” coverage. Own occupation costs more than any occupation but may be advisable to help protect higher income earners with specialized employment.

Anyone who is dependent on their earned income should consider disability insurance.

Coverage is critical whenever you or others are dependent on your ability to earn a paycheck. It can be appropriate from the early years of your career through retirement.

Take a look at the income contribution of each wage earner in your household. What would the loss of one income mean to the household budget?

Some employers offer group disability insurance coverage, whether they pay the premiums for you or you pay them out of your own pocket. Your employer’s program may offer benefits at a reasonable cost.

Be sure you understand and consider the costs and benefits of your employer’s short-term or long-term policies.

Your Financial Advisor can help you determine how much disability insurance coverage you need based on your current and future income and expenses, as well as other sources of income and insurance.

As you should with any insurance purchase, confirm the financial strength of the disability carrier.

Look for strong financial strength ratings from major independent rating agencies. In general, it’s a good idea to consider companies with an “A” rating or better.

• Calculate how much monthly income you would need if you could not work due to illness or injury.
• Review any group insurance policies you may have through your employer and then compare to your monthly income needs.
• Discuss your policies with your Financial Advisor to see how they might protect your overall financial goals.

Insurance products are offered through nonbank insurance agency affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company and are underwritten by unaffiliated insurance companies.