Fred Waddell , Extension Family Resource Management Specialist, Associate Professor, Human Development and Family Studies, Auburn University. Originally prepared by Josephine Turner, Extension Program Specialist, Professor, Human Development and Family Studies, Auburn University. Disability Income Insurance Disability is a serious risk many people never think about.
Research shows a person is more likely to be disabled for one or more years than to die.
For example, at age 47 disability is 3.4 times more likely than death. Odds are against recovery within a reasonable period. When a person's disability begins at age 42 and lasts for 12 months he has about a 62 percent chance of being disabled for 2 more years. He has a greater than 45 percent chance of remaining disabled for at least 5 more years. Disability insurance provides you an income if you become sick or injured and unable to work.