Disability Insurance Awareness Month

May is Disability Insurance Awareness Month.

Why is this important to you? If you don't plan on becoming disabled, it is not important at all. However, if you are one of the almost 13% of working age Americans who will report a disability this year*, it is extremely important. The problem is, there is no way of knowing which category you fall into.

Disability Insurance protects your ability to earn an income and support yourself and your loved ones. I have met first hand with hundreds of disability benefit recipients who have told me many different stories that all end with the same line; "I would have lost everything without these benefits."

It is a tremendous blessing to have had the opportunity to meet with these fine individuals. They are a testament to both determination and will, as many worked for years with serious limitations before being forced to stop as their disability progressed. In addition, their foresight in taking the steps to protect their families from devastating financial loss is a great lesson in truly caring for those who rely on you.

Disability insurance gives you the peace of mind of knowing that while you recover, your thoughtful planning will protect you and your loved ones in your time of need. Don't just hope things will work out. Take a moment and plan. It makes all the difference.


* Bjelland, M.J., Erickson, W. A., Lee, C. G. (2008, November 8). Disability Statistics from the American Community Survey (ACS). Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Disability Demographics and Statistics (StatsRRTC). Retrieved April 30, 2009 from www.disabilitystatistics.org