Story at-a-glance
- The Future Increase Option (FIO) or Benefit Purchase Rider (BPR) lets you increase your monthly benefit later, without new medical exams.
- It’s ideal for residents, fellows, and early-career doctors who expect higher income later.
- You protect your insurability now, even if your health changes.
- You’ll need to show income, but no medical underwriting is required for increases.
Why the Future Increase Rider Matters
As a doctor or dentist, your income will likely grow—fast.
But if your health changes, you may not be able to qualify for more disability coverage in the future.
That’s where the Future Increase Option (FIO) or Benefit Purchase Rider (BPR) comes in. This rider locks in your ability to buy more coverage later, without having to prove you’re still healthy.
You only need to show that your income supports the increase.
How It Works
When you add this rider to your policy, you can increase your monthly benefit in the future during special “increase windows.”
These windows usually occur:
- Every year
- Every 3 years
- Or after a major life or income change (like a substantial income increase, losing group disability coverage or having a child)
You fill out a short form showing your income—no medical exam, no doctor records, no labs. The insurance company then lets you purchase more coverage, up to the limits allowed.
A Real Example
Let’s say you buy a $5,000/month benefit as a resident. In three years, your income triples.
Thanks to your FIO or BPR rider, you can increase your benefit to $10,000/month—even if you’ve developed back pain, anxiety, or other conditions since your first policy.
That’s a big deal.
What If You Don’t Add It?
Without this rider, you’d have to reapply for more coverage later—and go through full medical underwriting again.
If your health has changed even slightly, you could:
- Be declined
- Face new exclusions
- Or pay much higher premiums
With the FIO/BPR rider, you avoid those risks.
When to Add It
The rider must be added when you first buy your policy. You can’t add it later.
It’s especially important if:
- You’re in residency, fellowship, or early practice
- You expect your income to grow
- You want to avoid future medical underwriting
Final Thought
The Future Increase or Benefit Purchase Rider protects your future income by locking in your insurability today.
It’s one of the smartest add-ons for physicians and dentists early in their career.
Want to see how this rider works with your policy? Click the button below to request a personalized quote.
We’ll walk you through your options and help you plan for now—and later.
Ready to protect your future?
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