Calculate how much disability insurance coverage you need. See benefit amount, elimination period, and monthly cost estimate. Free calculator.
You are 3 times more likely to become disabled than to die during your working years — yet disability insurance is far less purchased than life insurance. A disability lasting 90 days or more can devastate finances without coverage. Our calculator shows how much monthly benefit you need, what your employer coverage may already provide, and how to fill the gap.
Short-term disability: covers 3-6 months of income typically at 60-70% of salary. Elimination period (wait before benefits begin) is typically 7-14 days. Often provided by employer. Long-term disability: covers extended disability — 2 years, 5 years, or to retirement. Elimination period typically 90-180 days. Benefits typically 60-70% of pre-disability income. Critical if you have a mortgage, family, or no significant savings cushion.
The disability definition in your policy is critical: Own-occupation definition pays benefits if you cannot perform YOUR specific occupation — a surgeon with hand injury gets benefits even if they can do desk work. Any-occupation definition only pays if you cannot perform ANY work — much harder to claim. True own-occupation coverage is most valuable for high-skill professionals but costs more.
Priority candidates for disability insurance: self-employed and freelancers (no employer coverage, 100% income at risk), single-income households (one disability devastates the entire household), high earners (group policies often cap at $10,000-$15,000/month, so high earners need an individual supplemental policy), and young professionals (longest income stream at risk, cheapest to insure now).
Target 60-70% of your gross income in total disability coverage (employer plus individual). This replaces your net take-home pay after taxes since disability benefits from individual policies are typically tax-free. On $80,000 salary: target $48,000-$56,000 in annual benefits or $4,000-$4,667/month. Subtract any employer coverage to find your individual policy gap.
Individual long-term disability insurance typically costs 1-3% of your annual income in premiums. On $80,000 salary: $800-$2,400/year or $67-$200/month. Factors affecting cost: age (younger is cheaper), occupation risk class, health, benefit amount, elimination period, and benefit period. Getting coverage in your 30s is significantly cheaper than 40s.
Usually not fully. Employer group disability typically covers 60% of base salary only — not bonuses, commissions, or retirement contributions. Benefits are taxable if employer pays the premium (reducing net benefit to approximately 45%). Coverage ends when you leave the job. Self-employed have no employer coverage at all. Individual supplemental disability insurance fills these gaps.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) exists but has significant limitations: average 2026 benefit is approximately $1,540/month, only 35-40% of initial claims are approved, and approval can take 3-5 years. The standard is strict — you must be unable to perform any substantial work, not just your own occupation. SSDI is not a substitute for private disability insurance; most private policies integrate with it, reducing the private benefit if SSDI is also approved.
Yes — every FreeFixo tool, including the Disability Insurance Calculator — How Much Coverage Do You Need?, is 100% free with no paywall, no premium tier, and no usage limits. You do not need to create an account, enter a credit card, or share an email.
The Disability Insurance Calculator — How Much Coverage Do You Need? uses the same formulas, rates, and reference data that financial planners, professionals, and government sources publish. Results are estimates intended for planning and education — for situations involving large sums or legal consequences, confirm with a qualified professional before acting.