Can Income Protection Insurance Pay Out Until Retirement?

I have Accident and Sickness cover for my mortgage (a payment protection plan) but this plan could only pay out for 12 months. How long can Income Protection pay out? Is it until I plan to retire, say until age 65 or 70?

Question asked by Peter Graham
31/05/2019

Yes, absolutely.

It’s one of main benefits of a traditional long term Income Protection plan over a short term payment protection policy.

For serious medical conditions, 12 months of cover usually isn’t anywhere near enough. For instance, the insurer Liverpool Victoria has an average claim length of 7 years and 7 months on their long term Income Protection product.

Insurers used to set the maximum age the plan could run until age 65 as this was ‘the’ retirement age. However, as we are starting to work later and later many insurers will even offer cover up until age 70 now. It makes sense to set the policy termination age equal to the age you expect to retire.

If, for example, you suffered a debilitating illness which left you unable to work for 5 years, a long term plan would pay out every month for those 5 years (less your chosen deferred / excess period). Essentially, the policy continues to pay out either until you are well enough to return to work or you reach the retirement age set on the plan (i.e. the policy termination age).

Aligning your policy end date to your expected retirement date

If you expect / plan to retire earlier than 65 or 70 years of age then it is perfectly fine to set the policy termination age earlier. Given that the chances of becoming ill are relatively higher post age 60, bringing down the termination age of the plan can lower the monthly premiums significantly.

If you are considering your Income Protection options and want to know more then please do not hesitate to pop us a call on 02084327333 or email help@drewberry.co.uk.

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