Bill had barely passed his 28th birthday when he was severely injured in a debilitating accident. After recuperating from operations on his back and eyes he was still left with spinal damage, partial paralysis in one leg and partial blindness in one eye.
He found it difficult to walk, stand, or sit for extended periods of time. Needless to say, this made it challenging to secure any type of long-term employment at a time when he had a young family.
Disability Insurance
Many wage earners are diligent in purchasing life insurance to protect their families in the event of their early death, but many do not consider disability insurance.
Related: Understanding Disability Insurance
The fact is that people under 50 are more likely to become disabled than die – almost 35% will suffer a long term illness or disability lasting longer than 3 months.
People don’t buy disability insurance for a number of reasons, mainly because it can be quite expensive and they believe they have sufficient coverage through their workplace or government benefits – but do they?
Workers Compensation
Workers compensation covers only work related injuries. It’s most often associated with industrial accidents but also covers other workplaces – the retail worker who falls off a ladder, or the office worker who puts out her back moving the photo copier to get at a paper jam.
It pays 90% of lost income and covers health costs associated with the injury until you’re no longer disabled, or your condition becomes stable.
Related: No Medical Exam Life Insurance
For those with a permanent injury, payments will be recalculated and either paid monthly or a one-time lump sum may be offered.
Employers’ Group Benefits
Employers can opt out of WCB if they offer disability insurance to their employees. Very few people actually know how and what their group disability insurance covers. Many don’t look beyond their short-term paid sick leave when they have the flu.
The coverage may be limited. You may receive up to 70% of your regular salary – other monetary perks and bonuses are not included.
Related: Time To Revisit Your Employer Sponsored Pension Plan
One of the main concerns is the definition of disability. Generally an employee will be covered for up to two years if unable to perform their own occupation, but if there is the ability to perform an alternate job in the company they will no longer be eligible for benefits.
Canada Pension Plan
The CPP disability benefit is available to people who have made enough contributions to the CPP and whose disability prevents them from working at any job on a regular basis. The disability must be long lasting.
You may earn up to $5,000 (in 2012) and participate in a trial work period for up to three months and still receive benefits. The trial allows you time to test your ability to work on a regular basis.
Related: How To Determine Your CPP Benefits
Private Disability Insurance
Private disability insurance plans can be tailored to your requirements. The more benefits and broader the terms, the higher the premiums. It’s worthwhile to calculate the exact level of protection that you need and where you are able to cut some of the costs.
Some terms to look at are the waiting (or elimination) period before you start receiving payments, own occupation or any occupation, cost of living adjustments, length of term (can be up to 65 years of age but shorter terms are more affordable, with 5 years being common).
Final Thoughts
Your earning potential is your most valuable asset and you need to protect it. Accidents and illness can happen at any time.
How devastating it would be for boomers, who have worked hard all their life, to lose everything because they were not properly covered?
Related: Why Baby Boomers Aren’t Prepared For Retirement
Parents, especially if single, need a back-up plan to protect their earnings. Contract workers and the self-employed need to ensure their future income.
Keep in mind that you can’t piggy-back payments. They have a maximum total regardless of how many sources you use. Most programs will expect you to eventually take on some type of employment if you are able to perform the work – hopefully it will be better than a cashier at McDonald’s.
The above story is true. The name has been changed, but it is my husband.
I urge you to investigate all your sources of replacement income and be prepared. We definitely were not.
