Disability Insurance Awareness Month, created and coordinated in the Insurance industry by LIFE HAPPENS,(1) is observed in May and shines a spotlight on the importance of understanding and supporting individuals who experience temporary disabilities and the coverages that can protect them. Disruptions in your worklife and income can result from surgeries, injuries, pregnancies, or serious illnesses that prevent you from working for a limited period of time. While the duration of a short-term disability may vary, the impact on a person’s life and livelihood can be significant.
One of the key goals of Disability Insurance Awareness Month is to educate employees and employers about disability insurance and the rights and protections available to those temporarily unable to work. Awareness initiatives during May encourage proactive planning and open conversations around medical leave, job security, and financial stability during times of temporary health challenges. A worker under 20 has a roughly 25% chance of becoming disabled before reaching the normal retirement age of 67 and a worker under the age of 35 has a 1 in 3 chance of being disabled at least six months during their career. This means that about 1 in 4 of today’s 20-year-olds will become disabled and be entitled to Social Security disabled worker benefits before age 67 and the chance of becoming disabled continues to increase as you age.
This month of awareness also encourages a culture of compassion and flexibility in the workplace and broader community. Supporting colleagues through their temporary health struggles not only helps them recover more effectively but also fosters loyalty and morale in professional environments. By highlighting the realities and needs of those experiencing short-term disabilities, it also allows advocation for better policies and promotes a more inclusive environment during both expected and unexpected life events.
1. Life Happens is a nonprofit organization founded in 1994 by industry leaders who recognized the need to provide more people with educational information about life insurance and related products. Life Happens coordinates three major annual awareness campaigns, one of which is the Disability Insurance Awareness month, recognized in May.