Can I Get Disability Insurance if I’m Self Employed?

Individual disability insurance is a solid option

While many people have access to group disability insurance through their employer, this type of coverage is often not available to small business owners and other self-employed professionals. Fortunately, most people in this situation can secure similar, and in many cases, more  protection by purchasing an individual disability insurance policy from an insurance company.

It protects your ability to earn

If you’re like most of us, your income is vital to you and your family. It’s the cornerstone of your finances. It keeps a roof over your head, food on the table, and helps you build a more secure future. As part of a protection-first financial strategy, individual disability insurance can help protect you and your family in the event of future loss of income due to a disabling sickness or injury that leaves you unable to perform the material duties of your occupation.

Here’s how it works

If you become disabled while this coverage is in place, you may be eligible to receive monthly disability benefit payments that you can use to help financially support your loved ones and maintain your quality of life. Payments begin at the end of your Elimination Period (an amount of time specified in your policy) and are sometimes free from federal income taxes depending on how you fund the policy. Unlike health insurance payments, disability benefits are paid directly to you, so you are free to use them however you like. In most cases, these payments will continue until you are able to return to work, or until the end of your benefit period, whichever comes first.¹

Why does disability insurance make sense for the self-employed?

Over the course of their lifetime, 1 in 4 people in the workforce will become disabled and potentially face financial hardship at some point during their lives². If you’re a self-employed professional, this can be especially difficult because there may not be anyone who is qualified to step in—even temporarily—to keep things running during your absence. With individual disability insurance in place, you will receive a steady flow of benefit payments that can help fill the financial gap caused by your absence.

How does individual disability insurance work for small-business owners?

Individual disability insurance can be particularly helpful if you are a small business owner because the monthly disability benefits you receive can be used any way you want. Since there are no restrictions, you can use your benefits to pay personal expenses or to help sustain your business. For an additional cost, you may be able to add some optional riders that were designed to give business owners an extra layer protection. Here are two that are currently available on our MyIncome Protector policies:

• Business Support Rider: With this rider, you will receive an additional benefit that you can use to help cover ongoing business expenses while you’re disabled.
  
• Business Loan Rider: As the name suggests, this rider is designed to help pay all, or part of, the monthly loan payments you or your business are obligated to pay on a loan.
  

Replaces more than just your salary

In addition to replacing a portion of your salary, individual disability insurance policies typically help replace other types of compensation. While benefits vary by policy, most generally cover bonuses, pension or profit sharing contributions, business profits, contributions on your behalf to a qualified or nonqualified retirement plan, and other payments for work or professional services.

Can be customized to meet your needs

Unlike group disability products that typically offer a pre-determined set of benefits, individual disability products often give you a greater selection of benefits. In fact, we offer three types of coverage on our MyIncome Protector policy:

• Base Coverage: To keep costs down, this option provides benefits for two years if you cannot perform the duties of your specific occupation (otherwise known as “Own Occupation” coverage.) Afterwards, the definition of disability changes to “Any Occupation” and your policy continues to pay benefits if you are unable to perform any occupation consistent with your education, training, and experience.
• Extended Own Occupation: For an additional cost, you can add a rider that expands the length of time that you will be eligible to receive benefits if you are unable to perform the substantial and material duties of your specific occupation. Once the rider is added, your policy will provide “Own Occupation” coverage for the full benefit period identified in your policy.
• True Own Occupation: By adding this rider, you will be eligible to receive benefits if you are unable to perform the substantial and material duties of your own occupation—even if you decide to work in an occupation that is different from the one you previously held. Despite being gainfully employed, the “own occupation” definition of disability will apply for the duration of your policy.

Riders can add extra value

• True Own Occupation: By adding this rider, you will be eligible to receive benefits if you are unable to perform the substantial and material duties of your own occupation—even if you decide to work in an occupation that is different from the one you previously held. Despite being gainfully employed, the “own occupation” definition of disability will apply for the duration of your policy.

It’s yours to keep

With individual disability insurance, you own the policy so you can customize it however you like. What’s more, this coverage is portable. As long as you continue to pay your premiums, you can take this coverage with you wherever you go—even if you decide to change careers or join another company.

Frequently Asked Questions

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¹For New York Life MyIncome Protector, the length of coverage for benefit payments can be two years, five years, 10 years, to age 65, to age 67, and to age 70.

²Social Security Administration, Social Security Basic Facts, 2023

³Riders are available at an additional cost. Premiums, available benefits, and terms of coverage vary based on coverage levels and riders selected. Not all riders are available in every state, and some states vary the terms of certain riders. Not all riders are available with all benefit periods, occupation classes or issue ages.  Additional limitations and conditions may apply. Please speak to your New York Life financial professional for complete information.

⁴New York Life has received the highest financial strength ratings currently awarded to any U.S. life insurer by Standard & Poor’s (AA+); A.M. Best (A++); Moody’s (Aaa); and Fitch (AAA). Source: Individual Third-Party Ratings Reports as of 10/19/23.