As a young professional, you’ve worked hard by applying yourself to everything you do. You thrive by embracing the changes you know life brings. Yet having a job is only the first step toward achieving stability–because not all of life’s events can be predicted. As you start to build blocks for your future, have you thought about protecting the income you’ve worked so hard for?
“I’m young and healthy. Why would I need disability insurance?”
You’ll always strive to stay young at heart, but you won’t always be young in years. That’s why it’s important to think about disability insurance now.
Accidents and illness happen regardless of your age. Even so, disability insurance is based on your health, age, and medical history. While you are in the prime of your life right now, it may be the best time for attaining coverage. You can secure your coverage while you are healthy for the fruitful life that lies ahead, while knowing your financial security is protected.
“What are the chances I have an accident?”
Statistics show that one in four of today’s 20-year-old workers will experience disability within their career.1 In fact, the majority of disabilities are caused by illness rather than accidents. With the average long-term disability claim lasting 34.6 months,2 disability insurance through AAFP can help protect your finances should you suffer an accident or sickness and become unable to work.
“Do I have enough coverage?”
It depends, you’ll need to answer a few questions: 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 do you have to cover expenses should you suffer a debilitating sickness or injury? Take a few moments to calculate your needs.
“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 AAFP from New York Life Insurance Company not only comes from one of the most financially sound life insurance companies around, but it’s also designed for people like you. This means there are features built in to protect what you’ve worked so hard for, as well as costs based on other professionals 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 AAFP 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 and negotiated using the purchasing power of all AAFP members.
- Get the benefits you need. AAFP Group Disability Income insurance was designed exclusively with Family Physicians 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. It can be smart to look closely at what you have and fill in the gaps where they exist.
Good things come in groups.
Employers today are reducing benefits that professionals used to take for granted. By obtaining flexible group coverage, you’ll be free to focus more on pursuing your own goals–and less on worrying about uncertainty. Take advantage of the benefits of the AAFP group insurance from New York Life.
To find out more including features, costs, eligibility, renewability, limitations, and exclusions about group disability insurance contact us today at aafpins.com or call (800) 325-8166.
1“The Faces and Facts of Disability,” Social Security Administration, 2021.
2“Are You Underestimating Your Need for Disability Insurance?”, Kiplinger, September 9, 2020.
3Consult with your personal tax advisor for more information.
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