Disability Insurance Needs Calculator

Compute monthly benefit needed: typically 60-70% of gross income, less Social Security DI.

Inputs

Result

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How to use this calculator

  • Enter your monthly gross income.
  • Pick a replacement target (65% is typical).
  • Subtract estimated SSDI to find the private gap.

About this calculator

Disability insurance replaces income if you can't work. Typical target: 60-70% of gross income (after-tax this is roughly your usual take-home). Subtract estimated Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) to find the gap a private policy needs to fill. SSDI is hard to qualify for — many planners ignore it for safety.

Frequently asked

Own-occupation vs any-occupation policy?+
Own-occupation pays if you can't do your specific job. Any-occupation pays only if you can't do any work. Own-occ is much more valuable for high earners; any-occ is cheaper.
Short-term vs long-term DI?+
STD: 3-6 months coverage, common employer benefit. LTD: 5+ years or to age 65, often privately purchased on top.
Group vs individual policy?+
Group through employer is cheaper but tied to job; benefits taxed if employer pays. Individual is portable; benefits tax-free if you pay premium with after-tax dollars.
How likely am I to need it?+
About 1 in 4 working adults will experience a disability lasting 90+ days during their career. Most are illness-related, not accident.
Cost?+
1-3% of income for solid LTD coverage. The "cost of not having" is much higher.

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