Personal Disability

Dentists and Specialists must insist on true "own occupation" disability coverage Personal Disability

We currently recommend personal income replacement coverage from Guardian/Berkshire** because of the quality of the contract for a dentist or dental specialist. It's currently one of the only true "own occupation" plans available for a dentist or specialist that can include a lifetime benefit period in the industry. We're free to sell coverage from a variety of different companies, but only make recommendations based on contract quality.

The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, New York, NY offers top quality income protection and superior financial ratings.

The policy we recommend for dentists and dental specialists offers a true "Own Occupation" definition of total disability in the contract. This is the heart of your plan and protects not only a loss of income, but specifically your ability to work as a dentist or dental specialist. In other words, if you become totally disabled in your regular occupation, you will receive your full benefit from your policy, even if you decide to work in another occupation after you're disabled. Most other plans available today will reduce and eventually eliminate your disability benefits if you're disabled as a dentist or specialist and choose to work in another occupation. You deserve better.

** The Guardian plans also offer the following exceptional plan features: (not all features are available at all ages). Policy Form 1400 and 1500

Residual Disability Rider: This option helps compensate you for a loss of earned income related to a disability that's not total. Under this optional benefit, if you become residually disabled, you will receive a percentage of your monthly benefit based on your percentage loss of earned income (pre-disability compared to post disability). Residual benefits are payable up to age 65 for earnings loss percentages between 20% and 75%. If your earnings loss (due to disability) is greater than 75%, then you'll receive your full disability benefit as if you're totally disabled - even though you may still be able to work.

Future Increase Option: This allows you to increase your monthly income benefits every year on your policy anniversary without further medical underwriting (through age 55). You only have to prove financially that you qualify for the increased benefit. Please note that the insured may buy all or part of the increase on any option date up to age 45. On or after age 45, an insured may buy up to one third of the available option on any option date.

Cost of Living Adjustment: Increases your monthly income benefit at claim time by 3% or 6% compounded annually ( or CPI, if less). This protects your income benefits from the ravages of inflation over time. The increase is applied to total and/or partial monthly benefits.

Unemployment Premium waiver benefit: If you become unemployed and receive unemployment benefits for longer than six months, your premium payments are covered until you return to work - for up to a full year.

Lifetime benefits: Depending on the age you are if you become disabled, you can receive all or a portion of your benefit for life. Most plans in the market today stop paying benefits at age 65.

Retirement Protection Plus: This is a new offering that protects your retirement plan contributions in the event of disability. It is a separate individual policy that can be issued over and above your current personal income replacement plan.

Other benefits are available: ask your representative for more information on limitations and availability.

Please be sure to request information, including price quotes online through the Information Request form

** The Berkshire Life Insurance Company of America, Pittsfield, MA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, New York, NY. Berkshire markets Guardian's disability insurance product line. Product provisions may vary by state.