Do I Need Disability Income Insurance?

Although most of us are aware of the need for health insurance coverage when determining our risk-management needs, many of us fail to consider the possibility that we could become disabled. A disability income insurance policy can help replace income lost because of an injury or illness. Few people would have an adequate “war chest” for an extended battle with a loss of income.

Unfortunately, many of us will need disability income protection before we retire. Without the appropriate coverage, a disability could spell financial disaster.

Disability at any age can disrupt income while medical expenses mount. Unless you have a battle plan, the effects of even a short-term disability could be financially debilitating and emotionally devastating.

Disability Protection

In the event that you become disabled and are unable to work, the benefits provided by disability insurance can help replace a portion of your earned income.

The appropriate amount of disability coverage will depend on your particular situation. However, there are a few issues you may want to consider.

First, consider carrying enough coverage to replace at least 60 percent of your earnings. Many companies limit benefits to between 50 percent and 80 percentfrom all sources of disability income prior to the disability. This would mean, for example, that the amount of any Social Security disability payments you receive could be deducted from your benefit amount.

If you are concerned about the cost of a private disability insurance policy, consider extending the waiting period, which is the time between when the disability occurs and when you start receiving benefits. Choosing a 90-day or 180-day waiting period (instead of 30 days) may help lower your premium.

Be sure to compare and review policy benefits carefully. Disability insurance can be an affordable way to help protect your assets in the event of a disability.

The information in this article is not intended to be tax or legal advice, and it may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. You are encouraged to seek tax or legal advice from an independent professional advisor. The content is derived from sources believed to be accurate. Neither the information presented nor any opinion expressed constitutes a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. This material was written and prepared by Emerald. © 2012 Emerald Connect, Inc.

Larry Witzel is licensed in AK, AZ, CO, DE, FL, IA, IL, IN, LA, MA, MI, MN, MO, NC, OH, TN, TX, UT, WA, and WI to offer insurance products, and life insurance (including variable life), annuities (including variable annuities), and is securities registered in AK, AZ, CA, CO, FL, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MI, MN, MO, NC, NE, NJ, NM, NV, OH, PA, TN, TX, UT, WA, and WI and adviser registered in IA. Bert McClintock is licensed in DE, IA, MO, NC, and TX to offer insurance products, and life insurance (including variable life), annuities (including variable annuities), and is securities registered in IA, IL, MO, and NC and adviser registered in IA. Gabe Rohwedder is licensed in IA to offer insurance products, and life insurance (including variable life), annuities (including variable annuities), and is securities registered in IA, IL, MO, and NY and adviser registered in IA.

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IMPORTANT CONSUMER INFORMATION: Larry Witzel, Bert McClintock, and Gabe Rohwedder may only transact business in a particular state after licensure or satisfying qualifications requirements of that state, or only if he is excluded or exempted from the state's registration requirements. Follow-up, individualized responses to consumers in a particular state by Larry, Bert or Gabe that involve either the effecting or attempting to effect transactions in securities or the rendering of personalized investment advice for compensation, as the case may be, shall not be made without first complying with the state's requirements, or pursuant to an applicable state exemption or exclusion. For information concerning the licensure status or disciplinary history of a broker-dealer, investment adviser, BD agent or IA representative or any financial institution he represents, contact your state securities law administrator.

Insurance products from the Principal Financial Group® are issued by Principal National Life Insurance Company (except in New York), Principal Life Insurance Company and the companies available through the Preferred Product Network, Inc. Securities and advisory products offered through Princor Financial Services Corporation, 800/247-1737, member SIPC. Principal National, Principal Life, the Preferred Product Network and Princor® are members of the Principal Financial Group®, Des Moines, IA 50392. Larry Witzel, Bert McClintock, and Gabe Rohwedder, Principal National and Principal Life Financial Representatives, Princor Registered Representatives, and Financial Advisors. Strategic Financial Solutions is not an affiliate of any company of the Principal Financial Group®.