Disability insurance for young professionals.

It’s important to get coverage while you’re still young.

As a young professional, you’ve worked hard to get where you are. You embrace change, plan ahead, and pursue growth—but life isn’t always predictable. As you begin laying the groundwork for your future, ask yourself, “Have I thought about protecting the income I’ve worked so hard to build?”

“I’m young and healthy. Why would I need disability insurance?”

You may be young today—but youth doesn’t make you immune to unexpected events. Accidents and illnesses can happen to anyone at any time, regardless of age. That’s why it’s important to think about disability insurance now.

Disability insurance is based on your current health, age, and medical history. Given this, the best time to get covered is today – while you're healthy and early in your career. Doing so now means you can lock in protection and rates that may not be available later.

“What are the chances I have an accident?”

Statistics show that one in four of today’s 20 year-old workers will be experience disability within their career.1 However, it’s important to note that the leading causes of disability are illnesses—not accidents. Conditions like cancer, mental health disorders, and musculoskeletal issues are among the top reasons for long-term disability. The average long-term disability claim lasts just under three years.2 If that happened to you, how would you manage financially?

Group disability insurance through [Association Name] offers income protection if you are unable to work due to a covered illness or injury. This helps protect your finances so you can focus on recovery, not bills.

“Do I have enough coverage?” It depends. Ask yourself:

  • What are your (and your family’s) living expenses—fixed costs (like mortgage, rent and utilities) plus variable costs (the new roof on your house or new car you need)?
  • How much savings could you rely on during a long-term illness or injury?
  • Could you sustain your current lifestyle without your paycheck?

Take a few moments to calculate your needs using our disability needs calculator.
(NOTE to TPA: Link to your disability insurance needs calculator. If you do not have one and you are using this article for print (or are uploading this article online), update the underlined copy to “the Life Happens disability insurance needs calculator.” Use this link if you are uploading this article online.)

“Which disability products best fit my situation?”

Choosing the right coverage is important—and perhaps just as important as which insurance company you pick. Group disability insurance provided through [Association Name] from New York Life Insurance Company not only come from one of the most financially sound life insurance companies around, but they’re designed for people like you—people your age, in your industry, with your lifestyle. This means there are features built in which can be just right for you, as well as costs based on people just like you, which may save you money.

A group policy that’s as dynamic as you are.

  • Keep your coverage when you job-switch. Group coverage provided through [Association Name] is portable—you can take it with you from one job to the next as your career progresses. By sustaining coverage over time, you can both maintain a certain lifestyle in the event you experience a disability and help protect your future insurability.
  • Change your coverage according to your situation. You can add your spouse—so you’re both protected from life’s events—and make changes as your life situation evolves.
  • Group pricing is key. Since group medical underwriting spreads risk over pools of people, you’re less likely to experience price fluctuations than you would with individual coverage. What’s more, group policies are priced competitively in accordance with your industry.
  • Get the benefits you need. [Association’s Name] disability insurance coverage was designed exclusively with professionals like you in mind. That’s because coverage may contain customized features suited to your type of work that you may not be able to find in other policies.

What if my employer already provides disability insurance?

Insurance isn’t one-size-fits-all. Your employer coverage might not adequately meet your financial obligations—like mortgage, living expenses, children's college education, retirement savings and assets, and aging parent care. It may have a maximum coverage time period that leaves you unprotected if your disability lasts longer; make you subject to a tax that can reduce your benefit by 20 to 30 percent;3 and stop coverage when your employment period ends. A supplemental group policy through your association can help fill these gaps and ensure more reliable, long-term financial protection.

Good things come in groups.

Today’s employers are scaling back benefits. With flexible group coverage, you can focus on your goals with less worry about life’s uncertainties. Group insurance through [Association Name] and New York Life helps keep your financial future intact—even when life throws you off track.

To find out more including features, costs, eligibility, renewability, limitations, and exclusions about group disability insurance contact:

[Association Name]
[Website]
[xxx-xxx-xxxx]

This information is courtesy of New York Life Insurance Company, used with permission. It is intended exclusively for general information only. ©2025, New York Life Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

 

1Social Security Fact Sheet, Social Security Administration, February 7, 2024.
2"How long do long-term disability insurance benefits last?,” Policygenius, February, 2024.
3Consult with your personal tax advisor for more information.

 

 

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