Six-figure salaries mask protection gap among UK’s highest earners
29 October 2026
Six-figure salaries are masking the protection gap
More than half (52%) of six-figure earners say their lifestyle would be difficult to maintain if their income suddenly fell, while two in five (40%) would not feel financially prepared if illness forced them to stop working, new Vitality research reveals.
Despite being among the UK’s highest paid, only 41% reported having income protection in place, and nearly a quarter (24%) held no protection products, highlighting a potential gap between high earnings and financial resilience.
The findings show how people earning over £100,000 could be financially exposed if illness or injury prevented them from working, challenging the assumption that a high salary automatically provides financial security.
A six-figure salary can also mask significant financial pressures. Above £100,000 of adjusted net income, the Personal Allowance starts to reduce and eligibility for childcare support can be affected, limiting how far higher earnings stretch and the savings a person is able to commit to. Meanwhile, mortgages and other long-term commitments are likely to have been taken out based on that higher income, creating greater financial exposure if illness or injury suddenly prevents someone from working.
The research found higher earners point to a range of pressures that affected their ability to save. Essential household bills were cited by 37%, followed by lifestyle spending such as eating out, entertainment and holidays (31%), supporting dependants (25%) and housing costs (20%).
For many, this leaves a limited financial cushion, with almost half (44%) saying they could not cover essential expenses for more than six months if their income stopped, including 14% who could not cover them beyond three months.
Andy Philo, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Vitality said: “A high salary should not be mistaken for a strong financial safety net. As earnings rise, people can take on larger mortgages, higher childcare costs and other long-term commitments before they have built the savings or taken out the right protection needed to sustain them through a period without income.
“For advisers, the opportunity is to look beyond headline earnings and understand how financially resilient a client really is. That means exploring how long their savings would last, what support they could expect from their employer and whether their existing protection would be enough to maintain essential commitments if illness or injury prevented them from working.
“These conversations can help clients recognise risks they may not have considered because their salary makes them feel financially secure. By reviewing protection alongside income, expenditure and workplace benefits, advisers can identify potential gaps and demonstrate the value of planning for disruption before it happens.”
Notes to Editors
Consumer research carried out by Opinium on behalf of Vitality, with 2,000 UK adults, weighted to be nationally representative, between 5 and 12 August 2026.