Income protection for Irish professionals and the self-employed
Protect your standard of living and your family’s finances with an income protection plan. If illness or injury stops you working, a policy can replace up to 75% of your earnings (less any State benefit) until you return to work or reach retirement age.
Premiums qualify for tax relief at your marginal rate (up to 40%), subject to Revenue limits.
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Bridging the income gap the State safety net cannot cover
If illness or injury stops you working, State Illness Benefit pays only around €13,000 a year, and only to people with the right PRSI record. Self-employed people paying Class S PRSI generally do not qualify. Whether you are self-employed, a company director or a PAYE professional, that can leave a serious shortfall. We help you close it with tax-efficient salary protection.
Tailored income coverage
Typical features. Exact terms vary by insurer and policy.
- Flexible deferral periods: choose when your policy starts to match when employer sick pay ends (commonly 4, 8, 13, 26 or 52 weeks)
- Premium options: some policies fix your premium, others allow reviews. We show you the difference and what each costs
- Indexation options: increase your insured benefit each year to keep pace with inflation, with the flexibility to remove it
Long-term support
Unlike critical illness cover, this provides a regular monthly replacement income.
- Benefit to retirement age: monthly payments for as long as you are medically certified as unable to work, until you return or reach the policy end age
- Claims history: many policies stay in force after a claim. We confirm this for each insurer
- Waiver of premium: premiums are normally waived while you are receiving benefit
Tax relief on income protection premiums. Premiums qualify for tax relief at your marginal rate (20% or 40%), claimed through Revenue, subject to Revenue limits. It is one of the more tax-efficient forms of protection available to PAYE employees, contractors and business owners.
Getting an income protection policy, step by step
We make setting up your policy straightforward. You’ll understand how much of your salary you can insure, when your waiting period should start, and how your job affects underwriting.
How much can I insure?
You can insure up to 75% of your gross income. Work out your personal income gap to see how much private cover you need.
When do I need it?
We align your waiting period with your employer’s sick pay. If your pay stops after six months, your policy can start at the beginning of month seven.
What’s my occupational class?
Insurers look at the risk in your daily work. We identify the occupational class each insurer would assign to your profession.
Review provisional quotes
We compare quotes across leading Irish insurers to find a competitive premium for your risk class and needs.
Underwriting questionnaire
A health declaration, and a medical check where needed, so the insurer can confirm acceptance and final pricing.
Secure your income
Finalise your policy schedule and paperwork. Once it is in force, your income safety net is in place.
How much income protection cover do I need?
Enter your gross annual salary and employment status to see the most you can insure and the monthly amount a private policy would need to cover.
Disclaimer: Illustrative only. It assumes State Illness Benefit of about €13,000 a year for qualifying PAYE employees. Check current rates at gov.ie, as your entitlement depends on your PRSI record and average earnings. For a personal quotation, speak to a Financial Health advisor.
What is an occupational risk class?
Insurers do not treat all professions equally. An occupational class reflects how much risk of illness or injury your daily work involves.
Insurers use these classes to decide whether they can offer you a policy and how much your premium will be. The higher the physical risk in your job, the higher the class number.
An illustrative occupational risk scale
Professional, administrative and clerical desk roles (e.g. accountant, solicitor)
Administrative duties with light travel or clean environments (e.g. dentist, architect)
Skilled manual or clinical work involving mobility (e.g. nurse, electrician)
Heavy manual labour, construction or trade work (e.g. carpenter, machinery operator)
What to compare when choosing income protection in Ireland
Most insurers offer similar headline cover of up to 75% of your income. The real differences are in the detail. These are the points that matter, and the ones we compare for you across the Irish market.
| Feature | Why it matters | What we check for you |
|---|---|---|
| Definition of incapacity | Decides whether you are paid if you cannot do your own job, or only if you cannot do any job. | Whether the policy pays on an “own occupation” basis |
| Premium type | Guaranteed premiums stay fixed. Reviewable premiums can rise. | Which is offered, and the price difference |
| Deferred period | A longer wait lowers your premium, but you need savings or sick pay to cover the gap. | A period that matches your employer’s sick pay |
| Indexation and increases | Keeps your cover in line with inflation and salary growth. | How increases work and whether medical checks are needed |
| Partial and back-to-work benefit | Pays something if you can only return part-time. | How much is paid, and for how long |
| Relapse and claims history | Affects what happens if you recover, then become unwell again. | Relapse terms and whether cover continues after a claim |
| Support services | Rehabilitation, nurse and mental health support can speed your recovery. | What each insurer offers beyond the payout |
Irish income protection FAQ
How does Irish Revenue tax relief on income protection work?
Premiums qualify for tax relief at your marginal rate of tax (20% or 40%), claimed through Revenue and subject to Revenue limits. For example, if you pay tax at 40% and your premium is €100 a month, the net cost after relief could be around €60.
What is an income protection “deferred period”?
It is the agreed waiting time between becoming ill or injured and your first payment from the insurer. We usually align it with your employer’s sick pay scheme, and common choices are 13, 26 or 52 weeks. A longer deferred period is one of the most effective ways to lower your premium.
Does it cover any medical reason for illness or injury?
Income protection pays out if illness or injury stops you working, subject to the policy terms. Unlike critical illness cover, which pays on diagnosis of a listed condition, it is based on your inability to work. That can include conditions such as stress, mental health issues or back injuries, depending on the policy.
How does State Illness Benefit affect my monthly payout?
Employees with enough Class A PRSI contributions may qualify for State Illness Benefit. Self-employed people paying Class S PRSI generally do not. Many policies are written to pay the difference between the State benefit and your insured amount, so your total reaches up to 75% of your gross salary.
Is the first call free?
Yes. The first call is free and carries no obligation, and we explain our fees before you commit to anything.
Need a personalised income protection calculation?
Speak to a Financial Health advisor about your salary protection options. The first call is free.
Speak with an advisor