Group Income Protection can help employees when they're unable to work due to long-term illness or injury. It provides financial support and access to wellbeing and rehabilitation services when needed. For SMEs, a key challenge when selecting cover is often cost implications, without compromising on employee support.
That’s why many advisers use flexible policy features, designed to help them tailor cover around the needs of smaller employers, like shorter deferred periods and limited payment terms.
Flexible cover, shaped around SME needs
We offer flexibility with our Aviva Group Income Protection - without unnecessary complexity.
You can choose options to fit, like
- Deferred periods from 8 to 52 weeks, which means employers can match the start of benefit payment to their sick pay
- benefit payment terms from 2 to 5 years, or to State Pension age, offering cost control and flexibility,
- a lump sum benefit of up to £1.6 million for additional financial support
and we include
- cover of up to 80% of gross taxable salary to protect employee income,
- employer and employee pension contributions to maintain long-term benefits
- cover for employer National Insurance contributions during absence
There’s no minimum premium, making Group Income Protection accessible for smaller schemes and groups.
Group Income Protection - designed for adaptability
Supporting employees sooner with an 8-week deferred period
Many SMEs offer limited sick pay and need cover to start earlier. An 8-week deferred period means benefits will begin after just eight weeks of absence, easing pressure on employees and helping businesses better manage early-stage absence.
Why recommend an 8-week deferred period for SME clients:
- Pays benefits sooner, after just 8 weeks of absence
- Bridges the gap when employer sick pay ends
- Ideal for small or specialist teams where absence is harder to manage
- Supports employees earlier on in their absence journey
Control costs with a limited payment term (LPT)
An LPT means your clients can choose benefit payments for 2, 3, 4 or 5 years instead of until State Pension age. This helps reduce premiums while providing meaningful support, and greater certainty, for long-term illness or injury.
Why SMEs opt for a limited payment term:
- Lower cost compared to policies paying to State Pension Age
- Greater certainty around long-term liabilities
- A defined period of employee support
Many SMEs choose to combine an 8-week deferred period with a limited payment term, helping balance early support with cost control.
Access to early intervention, vocational rehabilitation and wellbeing services from day one
Choosing budget-focused options doesn’t reduce the support SMEs can give their employees. From day one, we give employees access to early intervention, recovery services, and wellbeing services which means employers can help their workforce and limit the disruption caused by long-term absence.
Helping employees recover and return to work
We support employees to get better and return to work with
- early intervention - as soon as health concerns arise
- personalised vocational rehabilitation plans tailored to individual needs
- access to specialist support and private treatment where appropriate
In 2025, 85% of employees receiving rehabilitation support either remained in or returned to work, helping SMEs reduce long-term absence.
Wellbeing services to support everyday employee health
Through Aviva DigiCare+ Workplace, employees can access digital GP appointments, mental health consultations, nutritional support, finger-prick health checks and second medical opinions.
The Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) offers confidential emotional and practical support, including legal, funeral and bereavement guidance.
Clients can also access wellbeing training sessions and courses to support their workplace wellbeing agenda.
For a full list of wellbeing services and more information, check out our wellbeing services page.
Supporting managers and workplaces in absence management
The Aviva Line Manager Toolkit: Mental health provides practical guidance to help managers have wellbeing and absence conversations and encourage early action and workplace adjustments. This support helps SMEs confidently manage periods of employee illness or recovery.
Early intervention, rehabilitation and wellbeing services are non‑contractual benefits Aviva can change or withdraw at any time. Terms and conditions and residency restrictions apply. Some services are provided by external providers.
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Use Aviva Fusion
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Helping SMEs protect people, not just payroll
Shorter deferred periods and limited payment terms give SMEs practical ways to support their people earlier, while keeping costs clear and manageable.
Speak to your usual Aviva contact to discuss suitable options, or quote today using Aviva Fusion.
Group Income Protection
Discover how Group Income Protection can help employers support employees when long‑term illness or injury affects their ability to work, with financial protection and access to wellbeing and rehabilitation support.
Visit our Group Income Protection webpage to learn more.