High earners are a fascinating group.

You’re decisive. Capable. Usually the last ones standing when chaos breaks out.

And because of that, people tend to assume you’re… invincible.

Including me, sometimes.

So let me say this upfront: If my last few posts felt like I was coming at you with boxing gloves on, that wasn’t the intention. I promise. I just have a habit of assuming you’ll be fine when things go sideways because, historically, you usually are.

But today was a reminder that math does not care how capable you are.

This insight was made crystal clear to me a while back thanks to a conversation with David Feldstein, Founder and CEO of Vera Planning and Veranovia Network for Independent Financial Professionals.

And yes, for the record, I plan my content weeks in advance. I’m a planner, not a panicker.

Let’s talk about income protection and why high earners are often the most exposed.

The Income Protection Myth Most High Earners Believe

If you’re a W-2 employee in a corporate environment, chances are you have income protection through work.

On paper, it looks decent:

• 60–70% income replacement

• Employer-sponsored

• Minimal effort required

  
  

Sounds reassuring, right?

Here’s the catch almost no one reads closely enough.

Most employer-provided disability policies come with a monthly cap, often around $10,000 per month.

Now let’s put real numbers to that.

When “60% Coverage” Becomes a 66% Pay Cut

Let’s say you earn $600,000 per year. That places you right near the top 1% of earners in the U.S.

In a perfect world, a 60% benefit should replace:

• $360,000 per year

• $30,000 per month

  
  

But your policy doesn’t pay percentages. It pays up to the cap.

So instead of $30,000 per month, you receive $10,000.

That’s not 60%. That’s one-third of your income.

In real terms, that’s a $240,000 annual pay cut, delivered at the exact moment your health has already decided to betray you.

Cold math. No emotions. No exceptions.

The Lifestyle Gap No One Warns You About

If your lifestyle is built around $30,000 per month, you probably have:

• A significant mortgage

• Luxury or specialty vehicle payments

• Investment property obligations

• Private school or specialty education costs

• Household staff, trainers, advisors, and yes… premium lattes

• A garage ornament that doubles as an identity symbol

  
  

Now imagine compressing that entire structure into $10,000 per month.

Can you still breathe? Can you still service your commitments without unraveling your long-term plans? Do you still feel safe?

Employer income protection isn’t designed to preserve your lifestyle.

It’s designed to keep you afloat.

Those are not the same thing.

What High Earners Actually Need

What’s missing isn’t effort or intelligence. It’s structure.

High earners need individual income protection strategies that:

• Layer on top of employer benefits

• Address income caps directly

• Protect lifestyle, not survival

• Coordinate with long-term planning goals

  
  

This isn’t about fear. It’s about alignment between income, obligations, and risk.

Two Quotes Worth Sitting With

I’ll leave you with two statements that landed hard for me and should land hard for you too:

You need both sides of that equation.

Because if one is missing, it’s not a hypothetical problem. It’s a delayed one.

And delayed problems tend to arrive loudly.

If you’re finally ready to protect the lifestyle your income has built, you already know where to find me.

— LTA 🥊

Disclosure: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute individualized financial, tax, or legal advice. Product availability and features vary by carrier and state. Consult your own advisors before implementing any strategy.