Understanding sick leave and extra protection for income
When someone is officially employed, paid sick leave is a right. Yet the level of payment often depends on how long they have worked and their average earnings. There is a way to shield income from unexpected moments and to secure additional financial support when life throws a curveball.
Typically, employees whose employers contribute to the Social Insurance Fund (SIF) can apply for the standard sick leave benefit. Individual entrepreneurs and self-employed individuals qualify only if they sign a voluntary insurance contract.
Research from SberLife Insurance shows that about three-quarters of people in Russia take official sick leave to rest and seek treatment, while roughly one in three avoid it because the pay during sick leave is too low. This highlights a tension between the need for rest and the impact on take-home pay.
The amount paid for sick leave depends on the official length of service and the earnings record. With less than five years of experience, the benefit is 60 percent of the average salary. Those with five to eight years of experience may receive up to 80 percent, and employees with more than eight years can receive up to 100 percent.
There are circumstances where the total sick pay can exceed the basic norm. One path is an additional payment tied to an insured event under a voluntary health insurance (VHI) policy. Insurers often record the event and issue the extra payment on the temporary disability certificate. It is important for policyholders to review the full list of benefits under their VHI policy in advance.
A second potential add-on is optional life insurance. This option can provide daily payments, and in some plans, the amount can be chosen by the policyholder. The payment is sent to the insured client’s account by the insurance company. Here is a closer look at how this alternative income protection works.
Many people do not realize that temporary disability can also be an insured event under voluntary life insurance. By covering health risks through such a policy, payments can be received not only for illness or injuries but also for caregiving needs for a child or another family member.
Two important points deserve attention. Health risks are categorized by severity. The most serious risks, such as cancer or major heart conditions like a heart attack or stroke, are covered by extended programs. For routine sick leave, the basic program includes this risk among others. If a disease already falls into a particularly dangerous category, there is usually no additional payment for sick leave specifically for that condition. Seasonal illnesses that have not progressed or have recurred may qualify for payments again under the contract terms.
Supplementary coverage for temporary disability is available to all citizens, regardless of status or occupation. It is particularly relevant for families with children, elderly parents, or single parents. This protection can complement life and health insurance in a range of products, including credit or risk life programs, depending on individual needs.
The first scenario is protection for consumer credit borrowers. If earnings fall due to sick leave, sick leave insurance can help cover the required payments. Registration for consumer credit insurance is often possible during application, while for credit cards it can be added any time. Many modern lenders offer online enrollment through a mobile app, allowing customers to see the insurance cost and the impact on future payments immediately.
The second option is health insurance. A health policy provides the same protection as sick leave for the risks involved and lets buyers set daily payment amounts themselves. Some insurers even offer an online calculator during the application process to estimate costs based on the desired daily benefit. For example, selecting a daily payout of 1,000 rubles might correspond to about 6,400 rubles per year in premiums. The policy price is a practical trade-off for preserving health and income when life gets disrupted.
To illustrate, imagine a person named Inna deciding to apply for a 300,000 ruble repair loan for two years via a bank app. Her monthly payment is 10,771 rubles, and because she has a child, she chooses health protection for childcare in case of sickness. The app estimates that she would receive an extra 1,665 rubles per day in the event of a claim. This amount would be integrated into her loan payments, raising the monthly total to around 11,954 rubles, or 1,183 rubles more per month. This example shows how health protection can be layered onto existing obligations to maintain financial stability during a health crisis.
Another plus of sick leave insurance is that there is generally no cap on the number of qualifying sick days. If a family member falls ill, payments can continue as long as the policy terms allow. However, supporting documents are often required for each case, and total sick leave payments typically cannot exceed 21 days in a single period. This feature provides ongoing support for families dealing with extended illnesses while ensuring clear documentation throughout the process.
In essence, these extra protections—whether through voluntary health insurance or life insurance—offer a practical way to safeguard income when health issues arise. They can help cover medical costs, keep loan obligations current, and provide peace of mind for households facing unpredictable medical needs. Inna’s case demonstrates how such protections can help bridge gaps between illness and financial obligations, especially for families balancing loans, childcare, and daily life.