As humorist, James Thurber, said, "There's no safety in numbers, or in anything else." Anyone who thinks, "It can't happen to me," should think again. The average 35-year old male has a 22 percent chance of becoming disabled for a 90-day period before age 65. That means he's three times more likely to be disabled than die before retirement.

And planning to "ride it out" isn't such a red-hot idea either. If a disability began at age 35, and has continued for one year, the probability is 54 percent that it will continue for an additional five years.

(Disability statistics are from 1986's Commissioner's Individual Disability Table A, Occupation Class 1.)

Problem: Without adequate disability income protection, most families would be in deep financial trouble if an income-earner became too sick or hurt to work. Permanent or long-term disability has been called "economic death;" even a short-term disability can be devastating, since years of savings can be wiped out in just a few months.

There are alternatives to buying disability income insurance, including personal savings, government benefits, spouse working, or personal loans. But these aren't always adequate, available, or the best choice for a family. Even the source most people depend on — group disability income benefits at work — may not be enough, since these benefits often don't start soon enough or last long enough, and may not be convertible to individual coverage if the person leaves the company.

So, even if a person has other sources of income, these may just barely cover a short-term disability, and may fall far short if the problem is permanent or long-term.

Solution: Individual disability income insurance protection pays a monthly benefit if the insured is unable to work because of illness or injury. Typically, protection equal to 60 percent to 70 percent of earned income is recommended. Coverage for total and partial disability is usually available; benefits are paid according to the proportional loss of an individual's earned income (interest or investment income doesn't count) under the terms of the contract.