New research shows most Americans aren’t prepared for income loss. Are you?

Nearly 3 in 4 workers who went out on a disability leave without disability insurance haven’t recovered financially.

Most of us don’t think twice about protecting our health or our loved ones — but what about our income? A new report reveals that many Americans are overlooking a critical piece of their financial wellness: disability insurance. Whether it’s a short-term recovery or a longer leave, losing income due to illness or injury can have lasting consequences. Yet, fewer than half of workers in the US have disability coverage, and many don’t realize how vulnerable they are.

Most people think disability insurance is only for long-term or permanent conditions. But the reality is, short-term issues like maternity leave, back pain, or mental health challenges are among the most common reasons people miss work. And when they do, the financial impact can be significant and long lasting.

According to a Guardian report, 65% of people who went out on a disability leave said it negatively affected their household finances. Nearly 3 in 4 workers without disability insurance say they haven’t fully recovered financially from their leave. And 38% had to dip into savings or retirement accounts just to get by.

I’m here to help you understand how disability insurance can protect your income and lifestyle. Let’s talk about how it fits into your financial strategy.

Get the latest disability insurance trends and research in the Futureproofing Your Income report here.

^{Material discussed is meant for general informational purposes only and is not to be construed as tax, legal, or investment advice. Although the information has been gathered from sources believed to be reliable, please note that individual situations can vary. Therefore, the information should be relied upon only when coordinated with individual professional advice.}

^{All data cited is from Futureproofing Your Income, Guardian, 2025}

^{©Copyright 2025, The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, New York, N.Y.}

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