Total Permanent Disability (TPD) is a phrase used in the insurance industry and in law. Generally speaking, it means that because of a sickness or injury, a person is unable to work in their own or any occupation for which they are suited by training, education, or experience. An individual or group of individuals can insure themselves against it through a disability insurance policy, as part of a life insurance package or through worker's compensation insurance. Definitions of permanent disability Ballentine's Law Dictionary defines a permanent disability is one that "will remain with a person throughout" his or her lifetime, or he or she will not recover, or "that in all possibility, will continue indefinitely." Insurance companies often have slightly different definitions of what determines permanent disability. However typical definitions would include: Loss of two of: Eyes, Arms, or Legs. Absence from work for six months due to an accident or illness, without expectation of returning to work. United States Under no-fault insurance law, New York defines significant injury as including a permanent loss of use. Australia Total and Permanent Disablement Insurance is designed to provide a lump sum benefit to the life insured in the event of a medically diagnosed event that renders the claimant unable to work again. TPD Insurance is generally used to cover debts and the ongoing living expenses of an individual to reduce the ongoing financial burden of loss of income. There are three main types and definitions of TPD Insurance: Own Occupation TPD - the claimant must be unable to work in their own occupation ever again. Any Occupation TPD - the claimant must be unable to work in their occupation and also any occupation that they are suited to via education, training or experience ever again. Non-Occupational TPD - the claimant must be unable to conduct 2 of 5 activities of daily living. The Own Occupation definition is generally considered to provide the greatest level of protection, with the Non-Occupational TPD requiring the greatest level of disablement before a claim will be considered. TPD Insurance in Australia can be owned and paid for from superannuation accounts. When TPD Insurance is held in Superannuation, the 'Any Occupation' definition is normally offered as the level of disablement required by Superannuation Law is based on 'Any Occupation.' TPD Insurance when taken for personal protection is generally not tax deductible and claim payments are not taxable. When