What is the difference between short-term and long-term disability insurance?

Disability income insurance replaces a portion of the insured's income when they cannot work due to illness or injury. Short-term disability (STD) covers shorter periods: elimination period of 1-14 days (waiting period before benefits start), benefit period of 3-12 months. Long-term disability (LTD) covers longer periods: elimination period of 30-180 days (often 90 days), benefit period of 2-5 years, until age 65, or until retirement. Many employers provide STD; LTD is often purchased through employer-sponsored or individual policies. Benefit amount is typically 50-70% of pre-disability income, sometimes capped. Definition of 'disability' varies: 'own occupation' (cannot perform your specific job — most generous), 'any occupation' (cannot perform any job for which you're qualified — most restrictive), and modified definitions like 'own occupation for two years, then any'.