UK workers' savings would last 'just 4 months' if they lost their income

The survey carried out by the group risk insurer found that:

• 19 million UK employees do not have any form of income protection
• Over two in five (44%) of these would rely on savings if they were unable to work
• But our respondent's average savings pot of £8,849 would last just 16 weeks based on typical expenditure
• One in ten (9%) workers don't worry about losing income as they believe they could live off State benefits
• Yet more than half (53%) could not survive on Work-Related Employment and Support Allowance

Six in ten (61%) UK workers do not have any form of protection to replace lost income if they developed a serious illness or injury, equivalent to 19.3 million people1.

For those without income protection, surviving off savings for as long as possible is a common strategy if they were unable to work. However, with UK households spending an average of £531.30 per week2, the typical savings pot of less than £9,000 would last just 16 weeks.

Even if weekly expenditure was cut back to the bare essentials (housing, food and transport at £291.90 per week)3, UK employees' savings would last barely more than half a year (30 weeks).

Over half of UK workers could not survive on Work-Related Employment and Support Allowance

A similar proportion (43%) of employees without income protection would apply for State benefits if they found themselves unable to work.

However, one in ten (9%) respondents do not worry about losing their income because they believe they can live off State benefits if needed. However, many are overestimating the amount they would receive and could struggle to survive on a typical State benefit payment.

UK employees estimate the average amount provided by the Government if you're ill or disabled and unable to work is £172 per week. A third (34%) believe this amount is over £200 per week. However, people who qualify for the Work-Related Activity (for those who could be assisted back to work) Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) group can in fact receive a maximum of £102.15 per week4 - £70 less than expected.

Over half (53%) of UK workers could not live off this ESA payment if this was their only form of income, while 33% couldn't even if they still had their current level of savings or other household income.

In addition, 46% of UK employees would not be able to meet their mortgage or rental payments if they lost their income and had to rely on ESA.

Paul Avis, Marketing Director of Canada Life Group, comments:"When it comes to serious illness or injury, many people assume it either won't happen to them or they can rely on State benefits when their savings eventually run out. But being unable to work is more common than people think and our research underlines the fact that depending on savings or State benefits is a flawed plan for most employees.

"A savings pot will only last so long, and being accepted for State benefits is by no means a certainty.

"Group Income Protection offers peace of mind that should an employee become too ill to work, their financial situation can be stabilised. In many cases, we aim to get employees back to work before they need to dip into a savings account or apply for State benefits."