Why is there a need for disability income protection insurance?

Could you continue to pay your bills if you were unable to work for any length 
of time because of illness or injury?  Do you know how much money would be
coming in each month, and from what sources, if you become disabled?

Three out of ten workers between the ages of 25 and 65 will experience 
an accident or illness that keeps them out of work for three months or longer. (1)

Nearly 60% of injuries happen off the job, which means they are not covered by
Workers' Compensation. (2)

More than half of Americans live paycheck to paycheck. (3)

(1): “Americans with Disabilities: 1997,”  U.S. Bureau of the Census,
       Current Population Reports, pages 70-73, February 2001.

(2) National Safety Council, Accident Facts, 2001.

(3) Consumer Federation of America study conducted by Princeton Survey 
      Research      Associates, February 20, 2001

Some people can rely on disability benefits from their employers and/or the 
government.  But, for a great many people, income stops when work stops.
Disability income insurance is designed to replace income when illness or
injury prevents you from working.

What is Disability Income Protection Insurance?

Disability income protection insurance provides you with an income when 
you become sick or injured and unable to work.  It helps protect against a
family's financial catastrophe by giving you income to meet daily expenses.

Disability income protection insurance comes in two major forms:

     A variety of employer-paid and government-sponsored programs covering
     certain categories of workers.

     Private policies, paid for by individuals, which can protect income when 
     there are no applicable employer or government programs or when those
     programs do not adequately  meet income needs.  Could you or your family
     live on half of your paycheck?

For The Self-Employed.

Purchasing your own disability insurance can be particularly important when 
you are self employed.  Not only will you not receive benefits from a group 
plan, your entire business may suffer if you are not well enough to remain in
charge.  Whether you are an employee or an employer, we can help you 
analyze your sources of disability income, determine waiting periods for 
various benefits, and determine whether additional coverage would be wise.

We show you what to look for in determining appropriate disability income.

For instance, policies vary  on Definition of Disability.  Some contracts pay if
you are unable to perform the duties of your customary occupation, others 
only if you can engage in no gainful employment.

Disability income protection insurance comes in three types:

     Noncancelable policies give you the right to continue in force a policy by 
     the timely payment of premiums, and the insurance company cannot change
    the premiums and benefits shown in the policy.

     Guaranteed renewable policies will be automatically renewed, with the 
     same benefits, but the premium may be increased if it is changed for an 
     entire class of policyholders.

     Optionally renewable or conditionally renewable policies are extended
     at each  anniversary or premium due date if the insurance company decides
     to do so.

Long Term Care costs may be putting your retirement funds at risk.   

Long Term Care insurance protection is a blend of disability medical insurance.
If you have lived into your sixth decade, you may be about to retire.  Healthy pre-retirees
look forward to an active future. Prudent planning involves contingencies.  Something may 
change with your health - being prepared is crucial to your financial and emotional status. 

Planning for old age may sound like giving up and admitting that you can no longer take 
care of yourself.  There is a saying, “growing old is mandatory, it’s growing up that’s optional”. 

Many have not planned to be the person who needs assistance – and this attitude is dangerous
to financial health because when reality hits,  it will be very expensive and a drain on savings 
and assets.  You may become vulnerable but you do not want to think about needing help 
and relying on the kindness of family because you do not have the funds to pay a professional 
for care.  It could happen.

Federal government statistics say half of us will need some form of long-term care during
our lifetime.  Please consider protection now, while you are younger than you will
ever be again and possibly healthier.  Long Term Care insurance premiums are lower
now than when you are older.  You may qualify for preferred rates and in so doing assure
you can obtain and pay for quality care with the least burden to you and your family.  

A prudent person would plan to avoid running out of money and plan for the day their
health declines to the point where they need help in caring for themselves.  The risk of
needing long term care and the cost of receiving that care is a significant risk you face.  

Living too long and needing care is a serious threat to your retirement. 
Long Term Care Insurance protection will make sure that you do not have to depend
on governmental welfare programs.

Please answer these questions:

* If you required care where would you like to receive it, in your home or at a facility?

* Have you discussed your plans with your family?

* Who would you want to provide that care and how would you pay them?

* Do you have funds to pay for long term care services?

* Which account would you spend first,  which asset would your sell to pay the bill?

* Have you considered Long Term Care Insurance protection?

* How would your lack of planning affect your family?

* Do you have a Living Will and Power of Attorney (POA)?

* What kind of legacy do you plan to leave to your family after your death?
   (I mean more than money…I mean what memories will you leave behind?)

Please meet with me now to discuss how LTC insurance protection can provide 
the money for services to help you with the long term care that you may need 
in the future?

Thank you for your consideration.  Contact me

Rosemary A. Reid

Links:

http://www.aaltci.org
American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/planners/calculators.htm
Social Security Benefit Calculators.

http://www.halfapaycheck.com/individuals/index.php
Life Is Full Of Significant Moments.    Mass Mutual.

http://ctelderlaw.org/benefits/social.htm
The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides retirement, survivor's
and disability benefits for individuals and their dependents.

http://www.rosemaryinsurance.com/radius.htm
Radius -- Mass Mutual's Disability Income Insurance Protection.

http://www.massmutual.com/mmfg/about/pr_2005/10_25_05.html
Regards women with breast cancer, MassMutual's disability insurance
organization also reviews medical data to ensure its disability underwriting
guidelines reflect survival trends.

http://CybResLLC.com/favorites/insurance.htm     Insurance

http://www.moneycentral.msn.com/content/Insurance/AssessYourNeeds/P35948.asp?Printer
Protect Your Financial Freedom.
Look at the third way mentioned.

http://www.elderlawanswers.com/resources/article.asp?id=4990&section=4&state=
Steps to Take in Advance of Death or Disability

http://ctelderlaw.org/benefits/social.htm
The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides retirement, survivor's
and disability benefits for individuals and their dependents.