Which rider protects against inflation by increasing disability income benefits annually after the start of a disability?

The rider that protects against inflation by increasing disability income benefits annually after the start of a disability is the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) Rider. This rider is designed to ensure that the benefits received during a disability keep pace with inflation, thereby maintaining their purchasing power over time. As costs of living rise, the COLA rider adjusts the monthly benefits to an agreed-upon percentage, which can help beneficiaries cover their expenses without suffering a reduction in the value of their income due to inflation.

While other riders like the Waiver of Premium Rider, Accidental Death Benefit Rider, and Guaranteed Insurability Rider serve important functions, they do not address the need for inflation protection. The Waiver of Premium Rider allows the policyholder to skip premium payments while they are disabled, the Accidental Death Benefit Rider pays an additional benefit if the insured dies due to an accident, and the Guaranteed Insurability Rider allows the policyholder to purchase additional insurance coverage at specific times without undergoing further medical underwriting. None of these directly provide a mechanism to increase benefits over time as living costs change. Hence, the COLA Rider is specifically designed to counter the effects of inflation, making it the correct choice.