Statistically Speaking: Which is more likely before age 65 – Death or disability?

Disability insurance is a key if not the key in risk planning and financial planning. Why is this factual? In most cases one’s ability to earn an income is probably one’s largest financial asset. It’s statistically more likely that a person will be disabled then dying before age 65. The numbers bear this out. Before age 40 it is at least 2 times or more likely for someone to have a long term disability (90 days or more) than the likelihood of dying. At age 45 it is 1.7 times more likely and even at age 50 it is 1.5 times more likely. For the exact ratios comparing death vs. disability and for other important stats go to protectyourincome.com and click the Disability Statistics on the right column.