What is the "any-occupation" standard in long-term disability policies?

The "any-occupation" standard in long-term disability policies is designed to evaluate a claimant's ability to work in any job, not just their current or most recent position. This means that if an insured individual is deemed unable to perform any occupation for which they are reasonably suited by education, training, or experience, they will be eligible to receive benefits. This standard often provides a higher threshold compared to the "own occupation" standard, which only considers the individual's ability to do their specific job.

In practice, if a person can perform some form of work but is unable to do their former job due to a disability, the "any-occupation" standard means they may not qualify for benefits unless they cannot perform any type of work at all. This system helps insurers manage and assess risk by focusing on the claimant's overall employability in the broader job market, rather than limiting the assessment to their specific line of work.