Complete guide to income protection for UK teachers
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Teachers receive generous sick pay compared to many professions, but what happens when it runs out? This comprehensive guide explains how income protection works alongside teacher sick pay entitlement (detailed in the Burgundy Book), when policies should kick in to top up half pay periods, and why private cover can be essential for long-term illness. Compare affordable quotes from 20p-a-day through LifePro's whole of market service.
Income protection for teachers is simply an income protection policy obtained by a teacher. There's no specific income protection policy designed exclusively for teachers.
Income protection is an insurance policy that pays out a regular monthly income (usually up to 65-70% of your salary) if you're unable to work due to illness or injury.
For teachers, income protection can work alongside your existing sick pay entitlement, providing additional financial support when you need it most.
You can choose when your income protection payments start (the deferred period) and how long they last (the payment period).
As a teacher, you could set your deferred period to around the time your sick pay comes to an end or at the point you start receiving half pay.
This can assist you in topping up your finances and provide additional cover in case your illness or injury is more long term.
To find out more about income protection why not contact LifePro?
Get Free Quotes »Income protection for teachers can be extremely beneficial in helping to replace lost income and topping up your sick pay.
For most teachers, your sick pay entitlement will be outlined in the Burgundy Book (which details the national agreement on conditions of service for teachers) and is as follows:
For schools that follow the Burgundy Book, this is the minimum sick pay allowance that can be received.
Some local authorities may improve upon this, whereas free schools, academies and independent schools may have their own schemes that differ.
As this scheme is generous, in comparison to many other occupations, it can pose the question: do teachers really need income protection?
Teacher's sick pay runs from April to April each year, meaning your sick pay entitlement will need to last you a year at a time (your entitlement won't start again each time you're off sick).
For minor colds, flu and broken bones, this amount is likely to be plenty. But, if you were to develop a more long-term health condition, would this be enough?
Your entitlement also doesn't include bank holidays, school holidays or weekends. You'll only receive sick pay on working days.
Therefore, it can be beneficial to have other forms of protection in place (such as income protection) to provide additional financial aid during the times you're receiving half pay, or no pay at all.
Enquire with the team at LifePro about the best way to protect your teacher salary.
Compare Quotes »Being a teacher is unlikely to affect the price that you pay, as it's considered a low-risk occupation.
If any personal factors are flagged that could be considered high-risk (such as smoking or having a pre-existing medical condition) you may experience an increase in your premiums.
The table below shows example income protection quotes. Quotes are based on a teacher with an annual income of £30,000, who is a non-smoker and in good health. The policy term is until age 65, with a 6-month deferred period and guaranteed premiums:
The table shows the younger you are, the cheaper your premiums. Taking out cover as soon as possible can assist you in securing the most favourable premium over the lifetime of your policy.
Comparing quotes is also key to finding the most affordable income protection premiums for your personal circumstances.
Compare income protection for teachers through LifePro from just 20p-a-day.
Compare Teachers' Income Protection Quotes »No, as a teacher you don't receive life insurance through your employer.
However, most teachers will receive death in service benefit. This is a lump sum payment (usually a multiple of your salary) that will be made to your family if you pass away while in employment.
For teachers, most commonly, 3x your salary will be paid out (but this can vary).
While this payment could help to ease the financial stress of your passing, it's unlikely to cover all costs for your family.
It can be beneficial to have your own personal life insurance policy, alongside your death in service benefit, to provide a greater level of cover for your family.
It's important to note that, if you leave your career as a teacher, your death in service won't come with you - highlighting even more the importance of having your own cover in place.
Yes, income protection can work alongside your teacher sick pay. You can structure your deferred period so that income protection payments start when your full sick pay reduces to half pay, or when your sick pay runs out entirely. This provides additional financial support when you need it most.
Teacher sick pay entitlement depends on your length of service. In your first year (after 4 months), you get 25 days full pay and 50 days half pay. This increases up to 100 days full pay and 100 days half pay in your fourth year and beyond. Your sick pay year runs from April to April.
While teachers have good sick pay compared to many occupations, income protection can still be valuable. If you develop a long-term condition, your sick pay may run out before you can return to work. Income protection provides ongoing financial support and can help cover the gap when you're on half pay or no pay.
Supply teachers typically don't have the same sick pay entitlement as permanent teachers, making income protection even more important. Without sick pay, any time off due to illness means no income. Income protection can provide essential financial support during these periods.
The deferred period is how long you wait before income protection payments start. For teachers, the ideal deferred period depends on your sick pay entitlement: If you're in your 4th year+ of service: Consider 13-26 week deferred period to align with when your full sick pay reduces to half pay (100 working days ≈ 20 weeks), or choose 52 weeks if you want cover only after all sick pay exhausted. If you're in your 1st-3rd year: Shorter deferred period (8-13 weeks) may be better as your sick pay runs out sooner. Cost savings: Choosing 26-week deferred period instead of 4-week can save 40-50% on premiums. Example: 35-year-old teacher, £30,000 income - 4-week deferred: £28/month, 26-week deferred: £16/month (saves £144/year). Match your deferred period to when you'll need the cover most - typically when sick pay drops to half or ends completely.
Yes, teachers with pre-existing health conditions can get income protection, though terms may vary. Common scenarios: Well-controlled conditions (mild asthma, treated high blood pressure): Often accepted at standard rates or small premium loading (10-25% extra). Moderate conditions (diabetes, anxiety/depression history): May result in premium loading (25-50% extra) or exclusions for that specific condition. Serious conditions: May require specialist impaired risk insurer or face decline. Teaching is a low-risk occupation, which works in your favour when applying with health conditions - insurers view teachers more favourably than high-risk occupations. Important: Always declare health conditions honestly. Non-disclosure can void your policy. Conditions that developed AFTER taking out your policy are covered (unless excluded). LifePro can access specialist insurers who cover teachers with pre-existing conditions. Compare multiple quotes to find the best terms for your circumstances.
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LifePro can assist UK teachers in finding affordable income protection that works alongside their sick pay entitlement. We compare quotes from leading providers to find you the best deal. Our FCA-regulated service provides free, no-obligation quotes with expert guidance throughout the process. Whether you're a newly qualified teacher or have years of experience, we can help you find the right cover at competitive rates from just 20p-a-day.
