What is the Professional Protection Layer diagnostic?

The Professional Protection Layer diagnostic is a structured 45-minute session for high-earning professionals that maps income protection gaps across five dimensions: base income coverage, bonus and equity exposure, disability duration, own-occupation definition, and portability risk. Phase 1 is at no charge.

What should high earners review before open enrollment to close their disability income gap?

Before open enrollment, high earners should map what their current LTD policy actually replaces—typically 60% of base salary with a monthly cap—against total compensation including bonuses and equity. The Professional Protection Layer diagnostic quantifies this shortfall in dollar terms before enrollment decisions close for the year. Phase 1 is at no charge.

What does own-occupation disability coverage mean?

Own-occupation disability coverage pays benefits if you cannot perform the specific duties of your profession, even if you could work in another capacity. Group LTD policies often shift to an any-occupation standard after 24 months, which can terminate benefits for professionals who remain partially able to work.

What the Diagnostic Session Actually Looks Like

Your CPA mentioned the session. Here's exactly what happens inside it — and what you walk away with.

This is a structured review, not a sales call

The Professional Protection Layer diagnostic is a specific type of financial review for high-income professionals. The session follows a defined structure — same framework every time — and produces a written document at the end. The goal is to quantify your income protection gap, not to pitch solutions.

If there's something to address after the session, that's a separate, optional conversation you choose to have or not. Nothing is sold inside Phase 1.

Session structure (45 minutes)

0–5 min

Income architecture review

Total compensation picture: base, bonus, equity, partnership income, deferred comp. Establishing the number that actually needs protecting.

5–18 min

Disability income gap analysis

What group LTD actually pays versus total compensation. Portability risk if you change employers. Tax treatment of benefits. Individual policy gaps if any exist.

18–30 min

Life insurance shortfall calculation

What your household needs to sustain itself versus what existing death benefit delivers. Group life vs. individual coverage. Duration and structure issues.

30–40 min

Cross-coordination audit

Whether existing policies work together or create redundancy and gaps. Most professionals have bought coverage in layers over time — the pieces don't always fit.

40–45 min

Map review

Walk through the one-page Financial Exposure Map together. Your numbers, your gaps, your document.

What you receive at the end

One-page Financial Exposure Map — written summary of your income protection picture
Your specific disability income gap in dollar terms
Your life insurance shortfall number
Coordination notes: what's working, what's duplicating, what's missing
Optional: a copy shared with your CPA (with your consent)

Before the session: A short pre-session worksheet arrives when you book. Takes about 10 minutes. Covers your income structure and existing coverage. If you don't have policy numbers handy, no problem — we work from estimates during the session and note where to verify later.

Schedule your Professional Protection Layer diagnostic

45 minutes. Written output. Phase 1 at no charge.

Book at apbfinancialarchitect.com/hfrd