Musculoskeletal Claims Rise Significantly for Cirencester Friendly in 2025

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

21 April 2026

• Musculoskeletal claims have risen sharply in the past two years – now 44% of total claims compared to 25% in 2023
• Musculoskeletal conditions are the most common cause of claims for both men and women and for all generations
• Mental health claims are on the rise and are the second most likely cause of claims for women
• 94% of claims paid, meaning at least 94% of claims have been paid for the last 16 years
• More than £10.7 million paid to Members in benefits
• 53.9% of claims were from millennials (aged 29 to 45), 31.3% were from Generation X
• Builders are the most likely profession to claim, followed by HGV drivers and joiners

Claims figures for 2025 from individual income protection provider Cirencester Friendly reveal a significant rise in claims for musculoskeletal conditions, which includes back and neck pain. Claims for these conditions now make up more than four in 10 of all claims, when just two years ago they represented only a quarter. It is also telling that for every generation in the workforce from Gen Z to Boomers, musculoskeletal conditions are the number one reason for claims.

These figures mirror the rise in back and neck pain among workers in the UK. The 2025 Health and Safety Executive report revealed 511,000 workers suffer from a work-related musculoskeletal disorder¹ and almost a million people are too sick to work because of back or neck pain². There are various factors contributing to this increase including rising obesity levels, lack of exercise and more people working from home in poor ergonomic environments.

The Society has maintained its record for honouring an exceptional high level of claims, paying 94% in 2025. This means it has achieved this level or higher for the past 16 years. The total number of claims considered fell slightly from 2024, with 1,255 income protection claims considered and 1,176 claims paid. The total amount paid to Members rose to over £10.7 million.

Mental health claims on the rise

Claims related to mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression have increased noticeably over the past few years, rising from 5% of all claims in 2023 to 8.1% in 2025. Overall, they are now the third most common cause of claims and the second most likely cause of claims for women.

Millennials make up more than 50% of claimants

For the first time, more than half of claimants were Millennials, people born between 1981 and 1996. The average age of male claimants was 41 years old and 42 for women. 31% of claimants were from Gen X, those born between 1965 and 1980 and 11% were from Gen Z, those aged 18 to 28.