Story at-a-glance
- Disability insurance pays you monthly if you can’t work due to illness or injury.
- You choose how long benefits last—commonly 5 years, to age 65, 67, or even 70.
- Most physicians and dentists pick a policy that lasts through retirement age.
- The longer the benefit period, the more protection you have—but the higher the cost.
The Basics: What Is a Benefit Period?
Your benefit period is how long your disability insurance policy will keep paying you after a claim is approved.
You might think it covers you “until you’re better,” but it’s actually based on time—not recovery.
Once you’re approved, the insurance company will pay your monthly benefit as long as you’re disabled—up to the limit you selected in your policy.
Common Benefit Period Options
Here are the most common benefit periods doctors and dentists choose:
- 2 years or 5 years — Lower cost, but limited protection
- To age 65 or 67 — Most popular; protects your income until retirement
- To age 70 — Maximum coverage for those wanting extended protection
Example:
If you’re 34 and you choose a policy that pays to age 67, that means if you become disabled, benefits could be paid for up to 33 years if you suffer a career-ending disability.
Why Most Doctors Choose “To Age 65” or Longer
Short-term disability coverage (like 2 or 5 years) can leave a big gap if you suffer a long-term or permanent condition. For high-income professionals like doctors and dentists, a career-ending disability can mean losing millions in future earnings.
That’s why most medical professionals choose a policy that pays until at least age 65 or 67—the age when you’d typically retire.
Does It Cover Multiple Disabilities?
Yes—if you recover from one condition and return to work, your benefit period resets.
So if you become disabled again years later, you can file a new claim and receive benefits for a new full benefit period, based on your policy terms.
What If You Recover Earlier?
If you recover before the benefit period ends, your payments stop when you go back to work. You’re not locked into the full period—it’s simply the maximum length of time the insurance will pay.
How to Choose the Right Length
Ask yourself:
- What’s the longest time I’d want income protection if I couldn’t work again?
- How close am I to retirement?
In general, choose the longest benefit period you can afford. It gives you more protection and more peace of mind.
Final Thought
Your career is your biggest asset. A long benefit period means you won’t run out of income if something happens.
Most physicians and dentists choose coverage that lasts to age 65 or 67 to make sure their income is protected all the way through retirement.
Want help picking the right benefit period? Click below to get a free quote.
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