Incapacity for work: Over 50 examples, causes and how to secure yourself financially
4 Apr 2025
7
Minutes
Katrin Straub
Managing Director at nextsure
One in four employees becomes unable to work during their lifetime - often unexpectedly. Learn from over fifty examples what this can mean for you and how a disability insurance provides essential financial protection.
The topic in brief and concise terms
Occupational disability is a significant risk; about one in four working individuals is affected, with mental illnesses being the most common cause.
A private disability insurance is crucial, as the statutory reduced earning capacity pension is often not sufficient to maintain the standard of living.
Early completion, honest health disclosures, and careful review of the contract terms are key to effective disability insurance protection.
Understanding Disability Insurance: The Key Facts
Incapacity to work means being unable to perform your most recent job due to illness, physical injury, or deterioration in strength that is more than normal for your age, and is expected to last indefinitely, at less than fifty percent capacity. This definition, according to § 172 of the Insurance Contract Act (VVG), forms the basis. Mental illnesses are the most common cause, accounting for over 34 percent. Diseases of the skeleton and musculoskeletal system follow with around twenty percent. An example: A 37-year-old administrative officer can only perform her duties due to depression to less than 50 percent and is therefore considered incapable of working. Disability insurance steps in in such cases. These facts highlight the necessity of addressing the issue early on.
Practical Examples: How Occupational Disability Changes Daily Life
The reality of occupational disability is diverse and affects people across all professions. Take, for example, a 50-year-old management consultant who collapses due to burnout and is unable to work for an extended period; his occupational disability insurance provides support. A roofer who becomes paraplegic after a fall can no longer carry out his profession. In contrast, an office worker with a sedentary job may not be considered occupationally disabled to the same extent for a similar injury. A commercial pilot could become occupationally disabled due to diabetes or vision impairment, as he would lose his medical certificate to fly. These examples show how individual occupational disability can occur. Here are more scenarios:
A nurse with chronic back pain after several slipped discs can no longer perform physically demanding work.
A teacher develops severe depression and anxiety disorder, making it impossible for her to stand in front of classes and teach.
An IT specialist suffers a serious car accident resulting in permanent cognitive impairments, significantly limiting his concentration.
A hairdresser develops a severe contact allergy to hair dyes and can no longer practice her profession.
A musician loses partial function in a hand due to an accident, ending his career.
A construction worker with advanced arthritis in knees and hips is no longer able to perform heavy physical work.
A manager with cancer must undergo long-term treatments and is permanently weakened, preventing a return to the stressful job.
An architect with a progressive eye disease can no longer draw detailed plans or work at a screen.
These cases highlight the need for insurance, as the financial consequences can be severe. Considering the probability by profession is also insightful.
Mental illnesses as the main cause: Over 15 examples
Mental disorders and neurological diseases are the most common cause of occupational disability, accounting for 33.51 percent. The trend is rising. Depression, burnout, and anxiety disorders top the list. For example: A firefighter suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after a traumatic incident and can no longer perform his duties. Although he could theoretically take a desk job, he receives a pension from his private occupational disability insurance. Depression-related occupational disability is a frequent case for claims. Here are some more examples of mental illnesses that can lead to occupational disability:
Adjustment disorders following major life events.
Bipolar disorders with manic and depressive phases.
Schizophrenia with loss of reality and thought disorders.
Obsessive-compulsive disorders that massively disrupt the working day.
Personality disorders, such as borderline syndrome.
Eating disorders like anorexia or bulimia with severe physical and psychological consequences.
Chronic sleep disorders leading to severe exhaustion.
Somatoform disorders, where physical complaints occur without organic findings.
Addiction disorders that destroy the ability to work.
Panic disorders with recurring severe anxiety attacks.
Agoraphobia, the fear of public places.
Social phobias that make professional interactions impossible.
Dissociative disorders, where parts of identity or memory are lost.
Neurotic developments that significantly limit performance.
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS/ME).
Precise documentation of the impact on professional activity by specialists is crucial. Recognition does not depend on the diagnosis alone, but on individual impairment. This leads to the question of which other conditions often result in occupational disability.
Musculoskeletal conditions, cancer, and more: Over 15 additional examples of illnesses
Alongside mental illnesses, disorders of the skeletal and musculoskeletal systems are a very common cause of occupational disability, accounting for around twenty percent. Cancers follow with about seventeen percent. Accidents play a lesser, yet still significant role, at under eight percent. Here are some examples:
Musculoskeletal disorders:
Herniated discs with chronic pain and restricted movement.
Osteoarthritis in joints (e.g. knee, hip, shoulder, fingers).
Rheumatoid arthritis with joint inflammation and destruction.
Fibromyalgia with widespread muscle pain.
Osteoporosis with an increased risk of fractures.
Ankylosing spondylitis (Bechterew's disease) with spinal fusion.
Scoliosis (spinal curvature) causing severe discomfort.
Carpal tunnel syndrome with nerve damage in the hand.
Cancers:
Breast cancer with prolonged treatment and exhaustion.
Lung cancer, often associated with severe shortness of breath.
Bowel cancer significantly affecting digestion and energy.
Prostate cancer with possible consequences such as incontinence.
Leukaemia or lymphomas (e.g. lymph gland cancer) weakening the immune system.
Other illnesses and accidents:
Heart attack or stroke with lasting damage.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) with progressive neurological deficits.
Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis (chronic inflammatory bowel diseases).
Severe migraines causing regular work absences.
Diabetes mellitus with serious complications (e.g. polyneuropathy, kidney damage).
Severe accident consequences, e.g. traumatic brain injury or amputations.
Chronic kidney failure requiring dialysis.
Severe lung diseases such as COPD.
The individual manifestation and the demands of the profession are always decisive. The degree of occupational disability is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Next, we will examine the legal foundations and expert tips.
Planning Ahead: Recommendations for Your Protection
Considering that statistically, one in four employees becomes unable to work, private insurance is essential. The state disability pension is often insufficient to maintain the standard of living, as it typically amounts to less than a third of the last gross salary. Ideally, a disability insurance policy should cover seventy to eighty percent of the net income. Our expert tip: Take out disability insurance as early as possible. Younger people are often healthier and therefore receive more favourable premiums. Pay attention to the contract terms, especially the waiver of abstract referrals and a clear definition of disability. Clarify reasons for disability and how these are covered in your contract. An honest and complete answering of the health questions during the application is crucial to avoid jeopardising insurance coverage. Also consider whether additional components, such as a guaranteed increase in pension in the event of a claim (dynamics), are sensible. For certain professions, such as educators, there are specific risks to consider. Seek comprehensive advice to find the protection that suits you.
Your next step towards financial security
The examples and facts clearly show that disability can affect anyone and has far-reaching financial consequences. A solid disability insurance policy is therefore an important component of your personal provision. It protects your income and secures your standard of living if you are unable to work due to health reasons. At nextsure, we understand the complexity of this issue and offer you transparent solutions tailored to your needs. Take advantage of our expertise for your financial future. Request an individual risk analysis now: Have your insurance situation reviewed free of charge and receive specific optimisation suggestions.
More useful links
Wikipedia offers a comprehensive overview of occupational disability insurance.
The Deutsche Rentenversicherung provides statistics and reports on reduced earning capacity pensions.
The Federal Ministry for Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS) provides information on the employment of severely disabled people.
The Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) offers statistics on people with disabilities.
REHADAT provides statistics on types of disabilities based on the severely disabled statistics.
The Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) delivers figures, data, and facts about workplace safety and health.
The AOK provides an overview of absence reports in the context of corporate health.
The German Insurance Association (GDV) presents seven facts about occupational disability insurance.
The Insurers provide information on the causes of occupational disability.
FAQ
Wann genau gilt man als berufsunfähig?
Man gilt als berufsunfähig, wenn man seinen zuletzt ausgeübten Beruf aufgrund von Krankheit, Körperverletzung oder Kräfteverfall voraussichtlich mindestens sechs Monate lang zu weniger als 50 Prozent ausüben kann.
Welche Krankheiten sind typische Ursachen für Berufsunfähigkeit?
Typische Ursachen sind psychische Erkrankungen (ca. 34 Prozent), Erkrankungen des Bewegungsapparates (ca. 20 Prozent), Krebs (ca. 17 Prozent) und Unfälle (ca. 8 Prozent).
Was passiert, wenn ich wegen Burnout berufsunfähig werde?
Burnout kann als Ursache für Berufsunfähigkeit anerkannt werden. Entscheidend ist, dass ein Arzt attestiert, dass Sie Ihre berufliche Tätigkeit aufgrund des Burnouts für voraussichtlich mindestens sechs Monate zu weniger als 50 Prozent ausüben können.
Wie viele Menschen werden in Deutschland berufsunfähig?
Statistisch gesehen wird etwa jeder vierte Arbeitnehmer in Deutschland im Laufe seines Berufslebens berufsunfähig.
Ist eine Berufsunfähigkeitsversicherung wirklich notwendig?
Ja, für die meisten Berufstätigen ist sie sehr wichtig, da die staatliche Erwerbsminderungsrente oft nicht ausreicht, um den gewohnten Lebensstandard zu halten. Sie schließt eine wichtige finanzielle Lücke.
Worauf sollte ich beim Abschluss einer Berufsunfähigkeitsversicherung achten?
Achten Sie auf eine ausreichende Rentenhöhe, den Verzicht des Versicherers auf abstrakte Verweisung, klare und faire Vertragsbedingungen, eine möglichst lange Laufzeit (bis zum Renteneintritt) und geben Sie Gesundheitsfragen absolut ehrlich an.
