Income protection will protect your income in the event of illness, disability or injury. The income protection policy will provide you with monthly tax free income right until your retirement date if so required with the options to either have the payments on a level basis or rise with inflation at the time.

The Facts

	People are 19 times more likely to be off work for more than 6 months due to illness or injury then they are to die before the age of 65. Source: The Department for Work & Pensions.
	Stress leads to a million claims for disability. Source: Financial Times, 01/03/2004.
	Four million people in the UK are currently claiming income support. Source: Office of National Statistics.

Why choose Income Protection Insurance?

Real protection

Monthly income you receive under a plan can be guaranteed until you are fit enough to go back to work, or until the plan ends (for example at your intended retirement age).

Tax Free

Under the current UK tax rules, any income you receive from the plan is paid tax free.
Decide your level of cover- your cover can pay benefits of up to 60% of your current gross earnings.

Flexible

Decide how long you want the income to be paid if your at work.
You can also decide how soon you would like payments to start if your unable to work.

Inflation tracking

Benefits can be linked to the retail Prices Index.

Why would I ensure my earnings?

The likelihood of being unable to work due to an illness or accidental injury is greater than you think. Of the 27.9 million people currently employed in Britain, over 2 million people have been claiming State Incapacity Benefit for more than six months.

What are the most frequent causes of claiming under an Income Protection Plan?

Income Protection covers a wide range of conditions that can prevent you from working.
Here are a few of the most common causes of a claim:

	Mental Illness (such as stress and depression)
	Musculoskeletal problems (problems of the muscles & bones, including back pain)
	Heart disease.
	Cancer