Long Term Disability (LTD) insurance may help to protect against the loss of income if you become unable to work for an extended period of time.
The SURS Disability Benefit provides a built-in disability coverage to employees who participate in the State Universities Retirement System (SURS).
The University LTD Plan is a voluntary supplement available to employees who participate in SURS and who are eligible to receive state health benefits.
SURS Disability Benefit
Eligibility
If you participate in one of the SURS plans (Traditional, Portable, or RSP), you may be eligible for a disability benefit if you become unable to perform the duties of your position. Disability benefits are available:
- After two (2) years of SURS service credit, if you are sick or injured.
- With no minimum SURS service credit, if due to an accident.
Your dependents are not eligible for coverage.
Cost
Premiums for the SURS disability benefit are paid entirely by the state.
Plan Summary
When disability benefits are approved by SURS, the benefit will begin after a 60 day waiting period, if all sick leave has been used. You will receive the greater of the following, until certain limits are reached:
- 50% of your basic compensation on the day you became disabled, or
- 50% of your average earnings for the 24 months prior to the date you became disabled.
Please see SURS Disability Benefit for a detailed explanation, or call SURS.
University LTD Insurance
Note: Enrollment is guaranteed only:
- within your first 60 days of active employment or
- during an open enrollment period.
Requests for coverage at any other time are not guaranteed and you will be required to complete a Statement of Health for The Prudential Insurance Company of America (Prudential) to review.
If you previously applied for and were denied this coverage, then you may reapply at any time and have your application re-evaluated. Contact University Payroll & Benefits for assistance.
Eligibility
To participate in the University LTD plan through Prudential, you must be a SURS participant, and have a full-time appointment of at least 50% or a temporary appointment of 50% or more for at least nine months.
You must be actively at work on the effective date of your coverage. Otherwise, your coverage becomes effective the day you return to work at your normal schedule.
Cost
The premiums for the University LTD plan are calculated using your age and salary. You pay the full cost of this plan through payroll deduction. For rates and estimated premiums, see the plan brochure (rates effective 4/1/2020) or use the LTD Premium Calculator (requires login). Any changes of premium due to age and/or salary will occur annually in December. The premium includes 93% for the cost of the plan, 5% for Prudential’s administrative costs, and 2% for the University’s administrative costs.
Plan Summary
Please see the Prudential Voluntary Supplemental LTD Plan Brochure or Prudential Long Term Disability Insurance Certificate for detailed information. View the TPA Disclosure Notice for this Plan.
The University LTD plan through Prudential is a supplement to the SURS disability benefit. Enrolling in the University LTD plan will provide coverage during your first two years, as well as enhanced coverage beyond the SURS benefit alone (after two years) if you become unable to work due to sickness or injury.
Eligible employees are guaranteed coverage in the plan if you enroll within the first 60 days of active employment. After the first 60 days of active employment, you may apply for coverage by providing evidence of good health satisfactory to Prudential.
Coverage effective date:
- If you enroll within 60 days of active employment, working at least 18.75 hours per week, coverage is effective the first day of the month following the date you apply for coverage.
- If you enroll after the first 60 days of active employment, working at least 18.75 hours per week, evidence of good health is required and coverage begins the first day of the month following the date Prudential approves your application.
A preexisting condition limitation is applicable for the first two years of coverage. See the LTD plan certificate for details.
Your LTD benefit becomes payable after you have been approved for coverage and continuously disabled through the elimination period, which is the greater of 90 days or the exhaustion of accumulated sick leave following accidental injury, sickness, or pregnancy. Prudential will treat your disability as continuous if your disability stops for 30 days or less during the elimination period. The days that you are not disabled will not count toward your elimination period.
Benefits are offset by any other benefits received, including those from SURS. Your maximum monthly benefit is 66 2/3% of monthly base pre-disability earnings, up to a maximum monthly benefit of $12,000. Benefits may be adjusted based on the following:
- When you are receiving a SURS disability benefit, this plan will pay 16 2/3% so that your total benefit remains 66 2/3%.
- This plan will pay an additional 10% (up to $1,000) monthly if your disability is caused by a covered critical illness.
- This plan will pay an additional 20% (up to the $12,000 maximum) monthly if you experience a catastrophic disability – the loss of ability to perform two activities of daily living or have severe cognitive impairment that requires substantial supervision.
If you are on a temporary layoff or leave of absence, and if you pay your premium, then you can remain covered to the end of 12 months following the month in which your temporary layoff or leave of absence began.
This policy provides disability income insurance only. It does NOT provide basic hospital, basic medical, or major medical insurance as defined by the New York State Department of Financial Services.
North Carolina Residents: THIS IS NOT A MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT PLAN. If you are eligible for Medicare, review the Guide to Health Insurance for People with Medicare, which is available from the company.
Group Insurance coverage is issued by The Prudential Insurance Company of America, a Prudential Financial company, Newark, NJ. The Booklet-Certificate contains all details, including any policy exclusions, limitations, and restrictions, which may apply. Contract Series: 83500 1026846-00001-00
Resources/Links
Frequently Asked Questions
SURS Disability Benefit
University Supplemental LTD Insurance (Prudential)