TAL has announced it is expanding the availability of its TPD Support Option (TSO) to eligible existing policyholders for certain off-sale products.
The option became available to apply for off-sale TAL Accelerated Protection policies from 1 August 2026 and will become available to apply for Protection Plans from 1 October 2026. This expansion follows the launch of the TSO for new policies last year (see: TAL Updates Flagship Product).
The insurer advises it has commenced notifying all existing Accelerated Protection policy holders that TSO is available to select and can be added to their existing eligible TPD cover. It adds these communications will continue as policy holders approach their annual policy renewal dates. Communications for Protection Plans will commence from September 2026.
TPD Support Option – Key Details
TAL launched TSO in December 2025, designed specifically for conditions including mental health conditions, fatigue and functional illnesses and other specific syndromes and disorders, where recovery outcomes can vary significantly.
The option is available to apply on TPD cover that provides up to five partial payments annually, subject to yearly assessments to support people as they recover from certain conditions. Key features include:
- TPD Support Conditions include certain mental health conditions, fatigue and functional disorders, and specified syndromes
- TPD with TSO offers lower premiums than the standard TAL TPD definition while retaining the same total sum insured for the TPD benefit
- When a claim is contributed to or caused by a TPD Support Condition, it is:
- Assessed under an any occupation-based definition
- Paid as partial payments of 20% of the sum insured at 12-month intervals, subject to the client meeting eligibility at each yearly assessment
- For all other conditions, the policy holder’s TPD cover remains unchanged
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- Claims are assessed under the client’s chosen definition and paid as a single lump sum
TAL notes these changes are intended to reflect its commitment to evolving product design in line with changing customer needs, clinical insights and financial adviser feedback.
Rollout dates and eligible cohorts
Key dates for the rollout of the TSO on eligible off-sale in-force products are:
- TAL Accelerated Protection:
- Policies issued under a PDS dated 10 August 2009 to 5 August 2022 (inclusive) – available to apply to add TSO to their existing eligible TPD cover from the policy renewal date from 1 August 2026 (policies with renewal dates between 1 June 2026 and 31 July 2026 are also eligible to apply from 1 August 2026)
- Policies issued under a PDS dated 8 September and 12 December 2024 (inclusive) – available to apply to add TSO to their existing eligible TPD cover from the policy renewal date from 1 December 2026
- Protection Plans: Policies issued under a Protection Plans PDS dated 28 April 2006 or later available to apply to add TSO to their existing eligible TPD cover from the policy renewal date from 1 October 2026.
TSO Terms and Conditions for existing TAL Accelerated Protection policies are available on TAL’s website. The insurer has indicated that TSO Terms and Conditions for the eligible Protection Plans products will be released shortly.
Eligibility criteria
A policy holder may apply to add TSO (without underwriting) on an existing eligible TPD cover where:
- The current TPD definition is Any Occupation or Own Occupation
- The life insured is aged 61 or younger at the time of application for TSO
- The life insured is not entitled to, or currently claiming, a TPD benefit payment
- The TPD cover is not subject to an exclusion for mental health related conditions or disorders
- The TPD cover does not include the Double TPD Option
These criteria to add TSO apply to both the eligible TAL Accelerated Protection and Protection Plans. Additional criteria will apply for Protection Plans.
Advisers can access further information, full TSO Terms and Conditions, and how their clients can quote and apply for the option on TAL’s website, or by contacting their TAL BDM.
