Income protection & insurance
HSE sick pay, pension benefits and personal insurance provide different kinds of cover. Check what each pays, how long it lasts and what happens when you change employer.
What the HSE already provides
Under the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme you are entitled to up to 92 days on full pay in a rolling year, followed by up to 91 days on half pay, subject to a cap of 183 paid days in any rolling four-year period. A critical illness or serious injury can double these limits under the Critical Illness Protocol (183 days full pay plus 182 half pay). After paid leave is exhausted, Temporary Rehabilitation Remuneration may pay 37.5% of salary for a period where a return to work is expected.
Where the entitlement ends
Income protection (permanent health insurance)
Income protection replaces up to 75% of income (less social welfare payments) where illness or injury prevents you from working, and pays until you return to work, retire, or the policy term ends. The key setting is the deferred period, meaning how long you wait before the policy pays. A 26-week deferral aligns with the end of full and half pay under the HSE scheme; a 13-week deferral costs more but covers the half-pay period as well. The occupation definition matters as much as price: an “own occupation” policy pays if you cannot work as a doctor, not only if you cannot work at all.
Premiums for Revenue-approved policies attract relief at the marginal rate, capped at 10% of income, so a €1,200 premium has a net cost of about €720. The claim route is described under tax credits. Benefits paid out under a policy are themselves taxable as income.
Existing pension and PRSI benefits
Death in service
Pension scheme membership carries a death-in-service lump sum (a multiple of salary) together with survivor pension provisions, automatically and without underwriting. It is worth counting this before purchasing life cover that may not yet be needed.
State Illness Benefit
Class A PRSI entitles you to Illness Benefit of up to €254 per week in 2026, graduated by your earnings record. The HSE requires staff on paid sick leave to claim it and offsets it against salary, which is why HR pursues the paperwork.
When to consider extra cover
| Cover | Who needs it |
|---|---|
| Income protection | Most doctors once training ends and outgoings are substantial; earlier where rent or dependants require it |
| Mortgage protection | Required when drawing down a mortgage; compare quotes rather than accepting the lender's default |
| Life insurance | Once someone depends on your income; death-in-service cover may already be sufficient |
| Serious illness cover | An optional lump-sum addition, secondary to income protection |
Group schemes marketed through hospitals and the IMO can be cheaper than personal policies, but they are not automatically better. Compare the deferred period, the occupation definition, and whether cover continues when you rotate, change employer or go abroad for fellowship. A policy that lapses on leaving the group is worth less than its premium suggests.
Sources
More money guides
This is general information for the 2026 tax year, last reviewed 4 August 2026. It is not financial, tax, or investment advice. For decisions about your own circumstances, consult the official sources linked on each page or a qualified professional. MedPath is not affiliated with the HSE or Revenue.