Most New York professionals have exactly two disability income protections: New York State Disability (up to $170 per week) and whatever their employer offers. For a $120,000 earner, that's a catastrophic gap.
The gap nobody talks about
New York State requires employers to provide short-term disability, but the benefit is modest. Most NY professionals have a disability income gap they haven't calculated.
NY's state disability benefit maxes out at $170 per week — less than $9,000 per year. A professional earning $130,000 who becomes disabled after the short-term state benefit ends faces a gap of $120,000+ per year that must come from savings or employer LTD.
Employer long-term disability at 60% of a $130,000 salary pays $78,000 per year before taxes. After federal and NY state taxes, that's roughly $4,500 to $5,000 per month. NYC rent, commuting costs, and loan payments alone often exceed that.
A New York attorney, architect, or accountant who becomes unable to practice their specific profession deserves own-occupation disability coverage. Most employer group plans use the less favorable any-occupation definition.
Former Oracle Principal Consultant. PhD researcher. Queens-based. I work with carriers across the full market — not captive to one company — so you get the right coverage at the right price.
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