# What is an income protection waiting period?

> Quick answer · Last updated 4 July 2026

Canonical HTML: https://moneyguide.org.uk/answers/what-is-income-protection-waiting-period/
Markdown mirror: https://moneyguide.org.uk/answers/what-is-income-protection-waiting-period.md

## In short

The deferred period after you stop work before income protection starts paying — often 4, 8, 13, 26 or 52 weeks. Longer waiting periods mean lower premiums but you need savings or sick pay to bridge the gap.

Match waiting period to employer sick pay duration where possible.

Income protection pays monthly income until return to work or policy end — unlike critical illness lump sums.

See critical illness vs income protection comparison.

## Related

- [Income protection vs CI](https://moneyguide.org.uk/insurance/income-protection-vs-critical-illness/)
- [CI vs income protection](https://moneyguide.org.uk/compare/critical-illness-vs-income-protection/)

## Primary source

abi.org.uk/products-and-issues/topics-and-issues/protection-insurance

---

Independent UK money guidance from [Money Guide](https://moneyguide.org.uk). Information only — not regulated financial advice.