CALCULATOR

Disability Insurance Calculator

Your income pays for everything else. This adds up what has to be paid every month regardless of whether you are working, subtracts any cover you already have, and shows the benefit to aim for.

Your monthly commitments

Cover you already have

Monthly benefit to aim for—
—Monthly need
—Shortfall
—Insurable max
Income you would earn to 65—
Your monthly commitments—
Cover already in place—
Monthly shortfall—
Typical insurable maximum—
CoveredShortfall

Where the money goes each month

This is an estimate for planning purposes, not a quote, a benefit statement or financial advice. It does not account for every credit, fee, deduction or personal circumstance. Insurers cap disability benefits at roughly 65% of gross income, and each carrier sets its own limits and definitions of disability. Think Insurance Services Inc. is a licensed insurance agency; for advice specific to you, speak to an advisor.

These numbers are a starting point. Talk to an advisor about your own situation.

Talk to an Advisor

How much disability coverage do you need?

Work out what has to be paid every month whether or not you are working — housing, utilities, loans, food, childcare — and subtract any cover you already have through work or a personal policy. That shortfall is your target monthly benefit. Insurers will generally not insure more than about 65% of your gross income, so the realistic maximum may be lower than your full expenses.

Common questions

Why will insurers only cover part of my income?

Benefits are usually paid tax free, and insurers cap cover at roughly 65% of gross income so that returning to work is always worth more than staying on claim.

What is an elimination period?

The waiting time between becoming disabled and the first payment, typically 30 to 120 days. A longer wait lowers your premium, so it should match how long your savings could genuinely carry you.

Is my employer's group disability plan enough?

Group plans often cap the benefit, may define disability more narrowly, and end when you leave the job. They are worth having, but they are frequently not sufficient on their own for a higher earner.

What does "own occupation" mean?

It means you are considered disabled if you cannot perform your own job, rather than any job at all. It is a meaningfully stronger definition and matters most for specialised or higher-paid work.

Figures and sources

This calculator uses 2026 figures. Government amounts are reset regularly — CPP each January, OAS every quarter, tax brackets each January.

Last reviewed: 19 August 2026

Want this checked against your own numbers?

Send us what you have and we will tell you whether the result holds up for your situation.