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Disability Income CalculatorNext: Hospital →

Disability Income Calculator

Find your monthly disability income gap — the cover you need if illness or injury stops you from working.

1. Your income

Gross monthly income

Net monthly income (take-home)?

Monthly essential expenses?

2. How much to replace

Income replacement ratio75%

Financial planners recommend 75% of net income. Some expenses reduce when not working (fuel, work clothing) but medical costs typically increase.

50100

Monthly income to replace: R 13 500/month (75% of R 18 000 net)

Your replacement amount (R 13 500) is below your essential expenses (R 15 000). Consider increasing your ratio or reviewing your expense figure.

3. Existing cover

Employer group disability cover

Include UIF income

SASSA Disability Grant?

Other disability policies already in force

R/month

4. Policy settings

Informational only — affects premium estimate but not your cover gap.

Waiting period?

Benefit period?

Cover type

Own occupationpays if you can't do your specific job. Any occupationonly pays if you can't work at all. Always choose own occupation if you can afford it.

Recommended disability income cover

R 13 500

per month

⚠ Significant cover gap

Essentials gap: R 1 500/month — the shortfall against your essential expenses only

You have a significant disability income gap. Without sufficient cover, a long-term disability could deplete your savings within months.

How we get there

Monthly income to replace (75% of net)R 13 500

Monthly cover neededR 13 500

Below essential expenses

Your replacement income (R 13 500) is below your essential monthly expenses (R 15 000). You need at least R 15 000/month to cover essentials — review your expenses or increase your replacement ratio.

Indicative premium estimate

R 74 – R 135/month

For a 30 days waiting period. “To retirement” cover costs 30–50% more than a 2-year benefit period.

Disability income premiums depend heavily on your occupation class, age, and policy terms. These are indicative for office-based workers aged 25–50. Manual or physical occupations attract significantly higher rates. Get a personalised quote from a licensed FSP.

SA tax treatment

Disability income insurance premiums paid personally are generally not tax-deductible. However, if disability occurs, the monthly benefit is typically tax-free. This is the opposite treatment to employer group disability, where premiums are deductible for the employer but the benefit may be taxable for you. Always confirm with your tax adviser.

Own vs any occupation

Own occupation cover pays if you cannot perform your specific job — a surgeon who loses hand function qualifies even if they could work in retail. Any occupation only pays if you cannot work at all. Own occupation is strongly recommended.

Get a disability income quote

Disability income cover is one of the most complex insurance products — definitions and exclusions vary significantly between insurers. A licensed FSP can compare options across Old Mutual, Liberty, Momentum, and Sanlam.

Get a quote — 1Life →Find a licensed adviser →

Calcura is independent. We don't earn a commission from these links. Disability income cover is complex — always read policy definitions carefully and consult a licensed FSP before purchasing.

Premium estimates are indicative ranges for office-based workers aged 25–50. Actual premiums depend on your occupation class, health, age, insurer, and specific policy terms. SASSA disability grant eligibility requires permanent severe disability and means-testing — most formally employed individuals will not qualify. This is not financial advice.

What would you like to do next?

Your numbers are ready to carry over — no re-entering needed.

Calculate your life cover needs →

Disability is more likely than death — but life cover protects your family if the worst happens.

Estimate your funeral cover →

Make sure your family can cover final expenses without drawing on savings.

About this calculator

Why disability cover matters more than life cover

Statistically, a 35-year-old is four times more likely to be disabled for 90 days or more than to die before age 65. Yet most South Africans have life cover but no disability income protection. The financial impact of long-term disability is often worse than death — your expenses continue but your income stops.

How the calculation works

The calculator finds your monthly income gap: the difference between what you want to replace (a percentage of your net income) and what your existing cover already provides. Existing cover includes employer group disability, UIF (temporary), the SASSA disability grant (if applicable), and any personal policies. The gap is what you need to insure.

Own occupation vs any occupation

This is the single most important policy definition. Own occupation pays if you cannot perform your specific job — a surgeon who loses hand function qualifies even if they could work in retail. Any occupation only pays if you cannot work at all. Own occupation is more expensive but provides far stronger protection for skilled professionals.

Assumptions applied

Net income is used as the replacement base, not gross. Disability income benefits paid from personal policies are typically tax-free in South Africa.
Employer group disability typically covers 75% of salary but stops if you leave or are retrenched. It is not portable.
UIF provides temporary income — up to 365 days — and is not a substitute for long-term disability cover.
SASSA disability grant eligibility requires permanent, severe disability and means-testing. Most formally employed individuals will not qualify.
Premium estimates use indicative SA market rates for office-based workers aged 25–50. Physical and manual occupations attract significantly higher rates.

What this calculator doesn't account for

Does not model own-occupation vs any-occupation premium differences — the distinction is definitional, not calculable without a quote.
Does not model age-based premium loading. Premiums increase significantly after age 45.
Benefit period selection (2yr vs to-retirement) does not change the gap calculation — it affects premium cost only.
Does not account for trauma cover or dread disease policies, which are separate product types.