What is the difference between Income Protection and Salary Continuance insurance?

In Australia, Income Protection and Salary Continuance are essentially the same type of insurance product - both provide monthly income replacement if you cannot work due to illness or injury. The terms are often used interchangeably, though 'Salary Continuance' is more commonly used when the insurance is held inside superannuation, while 'Income Protection' is the term typically used for retail policies held outside super. However, there can be practical differences between super fund salary continuance and retail income protection beyond just the name. Super fund salary continuance typically offers more limited coverage: lower income replacement percentages (often 70% vs 75-85%), shorter benefit periods (commonly 2 years vs to age 65), and benefits paid to your super account rather than directly to you. Super policies often have more restrictive claim definitions and fewer additional features. The premium payment method differs too - salary continuance premiums are deducted from your super balance, while retail income protection premiums are paid from your after-tax income (but are tax deductible). Despite these potential differences, the fundamental purpose remains the same: replacing income when you're unable to work. When comparing quotes or policies, look beyond the name to the actual policy features, benefit levels, and claim definitions to understand what you're really getting.