Income Security Insurance product enhancements

MAS is committed to providing our Members with great products that help to protect them and their families against the financial implications of serious illness, injury, and death. We are excited to announce a range of enhancements to our Income Security Insurance product.

This is a summary of the improved benefits: 

• Cover extension benefit 

  Cover can automatically continue through to the insured person’s 70th birthday, if they are not eligible to receive a Loss of income benefit or Business expenses benefit at the time they turn 65. Special conditions apply after age 65, including a maximum 2-year benefit period for any claim made after age 65. 

• Parent leave benefit 

  If the insured person’s child becomes sick or is injured and they take unpaid leave to help support their care, we can pay your weekly benefit for up to 6 months. 

• Income increase benefit 

  You can apply to increase your weekly benefit when the insured person’s income increases, without the need for further medical underwriting, provided they are under age 55. Certain limits apply. 

• Repatriation benefit 

  We will pay $10,000 toward the cost of returning the insured person’s body to New Zealand or their home country if they die outside of either. 

• Funeral benefit 

  We have increased the amount we will pay if the insured person dies while on an Income Security claim from $8,000 to $15,000. 

• Worldwide cover 

  We will now continue to pay a claim no matter where the insured person is in the world. Previously, we limited claim payments to 3 months if the insured person resided outside New Zealand or Australia. 

Full terms and conditions are contained in the Income Security policy document.  

These enhancements apply to all new Income Security policies issued from 28 August 2023.  

We have also added these to all existing Income Security policies, from the same date, without increasing premiums. 

What if your Income Security policy was issued before 28 August 2023? 

These enhancements only apply to Members with an existing policy if they or their child suffer from an illness, sickness, disease, injury, or medical condition leading to a claim entitlement from 28 August 2023. 

All illnesses, sicknesses, diseases, injuries, or medical conditions, which began or took place before 28 August 2023 that result in a claim entitlement, will not be eligible for the new enhancements. Instead, the cover provided in their previous Income Security policy document will apply. 

Any exclusions, premium loadings or warranties set out in their policy schedule will continue to apply to these enhancements. 

At the time of your claim, you have the right to request we use your original policy wording or the updated one (but not parts of each). 

Talk to us 

If you would like to talk to us about these enhancements, discuss an existing MAS policy or want to talk with a MAS Adviser about protecting your income, be sure to get in touch. 

Phone us on 0800 800 627 or email us at info@mas.co.nz and a MAS Adviser will be able to assist you.