Each year, Sanlam Group Risk analyses disability and critical illness claims to better understand the factors driving claims experience across our product range. The 2025 results show that while the leading causes of claims remain largely unchanged, several important trends are emerging, particularly the growing impact of heart attacks, strokes and mental health-related conditions.
Income Disability: Musculoskeletal Disorders Remain the Leading Cause
Musculoskeletal disorders (back and joint conditions) remained the leading cause of Income Disability claims in 2025, accounting for 20.54% of claims, compared to 21.49% in 2024. Although slightly lower than the previous year, these conditions continue to be a major contributor to long-term disability, highlighting the importance of workplace ergonomics, physical activity, injury prevention and early intervention programmes.
Other significant causes include cancers (14.00%), violence-related incidents (13.93%) and heart attacks and strokes (13.61%). One of the most notable trends was the continued increase in mental health-related claims, which rose from 11.42% in 2024 to 13.77% in 2025. This reinforces the growing role of psychological wellbeing in disability outcomes.
While the overall gender distribution remained balanced, males accounted for approximately 65% of claims across most leading cause categories. The exceptions were mental health and cancer claims, where females represented around 60% of claimants.
Critical Illness: Cancer Continues to Lead, While Heart Attacks and Strokes Rise
Cancer remained the leading cause of Critical Illness claims, accounting for 53.64% of all claims in 2025. Although this was slightly lower than the 55.06% recorded in 2024, cancer continues to have a significant impact across the portfolio.
A more notable shift was seen in claims related to diseases of the circulatory system, including heart attacks and strokes. These claims increased from 26.72% in 2024 to 32.45% in 2025, highlighting the growing burden of cardiovascular disease among members.
The overall gender profile remained balanced. However, males accounted for approximately 65% of circulatory system claims. In addition, the proportion of male cancer claimants increased from approximately 40% in 2024 to 49% in 2025.
These findings highlight the importance of addressing modifiable risk factors, including physical inactivity, poor nutrition, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and poorly managed chronic conditions. Preventative health programmes and regular health screenings remain essential in helping to reduce the impact of these conditions.
Lump Sum Disability: Increasing Impact of Heart Attacks, Strokes and Mental Health Conditions
Musculoskeletal disorders (back and joint conditions) remained the leading cause of Lump Sum Disability claims in 2025, despite their share of claims decreasing from 29.45% in 2024 to 24.95%. At the same time, claims resulting from heart attacks and strokes increased significantly from 16.02% to 19.45%. Mental health-related claims also continued to grow, increasing from 8.74% to 10.99%. Cancer-related claims remained stable at approximately 11% of all claims.
The gender profile continued to be predominantly male, with males accounting for around 65% of Lump Sum Disability claims.
A Clear Emerging Theme
A consistent pattern emerged across all three product categories: the growing contribution of heart attacks and strokes to overall claims experience. In addition, mental health-related conditions continued to gain prominence within both Income Disability and Lump Sum Disability claims, underscoring the increasing influence of psychological wellbeing in disability outcomes.
What This Means for Employers, Advisers and Members
The 2025 claims experience reinforces the value of a proactive and holistic approach to health and wellbeing. Supporting employees and members through the following initiatives can help reduce the long-term impact of disability and serious illness:
- Regular health screenings and preventative care
- Early identification and management of cardiovascular risk factors
- Mental health awareness and support programmes
- Healthy lifestyle initiatives that encourage physical activity, good nutrition and overall wellbeing.
These insights provide a clearer understanding of the evolving drivers of disability and critical illness claims and highlights the importance of building healthier, more resilient workforces for the future.
To view the supporting claims figures, click here.
Author: Mikashnie Gounden