Short Term Disability Insurance

Short Term Disability Insurance  

Overview

You work hard to earn your income. But what would happen if an injury or illness kept you from working?  Statistics show that a serious chronic illness or disease will disable at least 1 out of every 4 hard-working Americans during their career.

 

If it happens to you, you’ll probably get better and return to work after a recovery period, but how would you pay your bills in the meantime? If you run out of vacation or leave days, will you have enough savings to make it? Would you want to borrow money from family or friends while you’re getting well?

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Your employer doesn’t want you to suffer financially if a short term disability happens to you. That’s why you now have access to voluntary short-term disability income insurance featuring:

  • Minimum benefits are the greater of 10% of gross benefit or $25 per week (subject to overpayments and rehab incentives) and a maximum benefit of $1,000 per week, not to exceed a 50% of base weekly income.
  • Coverage from leading disability provider: MetLife
  • Pays benefit for up to 13 weeks.
  • Provides non-occupational coverage for injuries after 7 days and off-the job sickness after 7 days of total disability.

 

 

Contact Us

 Phone:
855-429-8938
 Hours
 M-F 8a-5p CST
 Email
employerbenefitsinquiries.service@mercer.com

How It Works

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Plan Summary

 

FAQS

Answers about the plan, including eligibility, options, enrollment, customer service and more.
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  • Who is the provider of this coverage and what benefits does it offer me?
    MetLife will pay the benefit amount elected should you become disabled and unable to work due to an accident or illness.

  • What is the definition of disability coverage?
    It is a monthly disability income benefit as a result of a non-occupational "off-the-job" injury or sickness. If you're totally disabled by an injury or illness, MetLife’s short-term disability insurance can be there to help, helping pay the bills that won't go away just because you can't work: housing costs, food, car payments, and additional medical costs. You can focus on a full recovery and successful return to the workplace.

  • Why do I need disability coverage?
    Most people can't afford to be disabled, even for a short time. Most disabling accidents and illnesses are not work related, so you can't count on Workers Compensation to be there for you and your loved ones.

  • When am I considered disabled?
    The insured individual must be unable to perform the duties of their own job or occupation for which they are, or could become qualified based on education, training or experience, for any employer. The insured would be unable to earn more than 80% of pre-disability earnings at their own job or occupation.

  • What is the definition of recurrent disability?
    The insured individual may return to work full-time without having to satisfy a new EP, or waiting period, for an absence due to the same or a related condition if within 30 days.

  • Is pregnancy a covered benefit?
    Pregnancy is treated as any other illness or injury, but would be subject to the pre-existing condition limitation.

  • Does it cover pre-existing conditions?
    If you received treatment for an illness/injury in the three months prior to the effective date of coverage, costs related to that illness/injury will not be covered for the first 12 months of your coverage.

  • How does it work with other coverage?
    As you make your decision about this valuable insurance for your family, be aware that this insurance is intended to supplement other forms of public or private disability insurance you may have. The sum of benefits you receive from this insurance and other sources may not exceed the percentage of your salary indicated in your policy. These other sources of income include Social Security disability benefits, other group or individual insurance, state benefits, sick leave plans, Worker’s Compensation, or other similar programs.

  • Can I enroll for this insurance without providing Evidence of Insurability?
    New hires will have the option to enroll in the plan without providing Evidence of Insurability. Otherwise, Late Entrants will be required to provide Evidence of Insurability.

 

Special Considerations: If you work in a state with state-mandated disability or paid medical leave benefits (“State Benefits”), you should carefully consider whether to enroll for this coverage. In California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Washington (and Connecticut starting 1/1/22, Oregon starting 1/1/24, and Colorado starting 1/1/24), if eligible, you must apply for State Benefits. Your STD benefit will be reduced by State Benefits or other government benefits that apply. Depending on your compensation, the amount of the State Benefit, and other factors, you may only receive the minimum weekly benefit. Please consider, based on your individual circumstances, whether you need additional coverage beyond the State Benefit.

 

METLIFE’S SHORT TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE IS A LIMITED BENEFIT GROUP INSURANCE POLICY. The policy or its provisions may vary or be unavailable in some states. Short Term Disability policies offered by MetLife may include a pre-existing condition exclusion. MetLife offers Short Term Disability on both an Attained Age and an Issue Age basis. Attained Age rates are based on specified age bands and will increase when a Covered Person reaches a new age band. MetLife’s Issue Age Short Term Disability is guaranteed renewable, and premium rates are based on age at the time of the initial coverage effective date and will not increase due to age; premium rates for increases in benefit amount will be based on the covered person’s age at the time of the initial coverage effective date. Rates are subject to change for MetLife’s Issue Age Short Term Disability on a class-wide basis. For complete details of coverage and availability, please contact MetLife. Benefits are underwritten by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, New York, New York. In certain states, availability of the worksite Short Term Disability Insurance product is pending regulatory approval.

Like most group insurance policies, polices offered by MetLife may include waiting periods and contain certain exclusions, limitations and terms for keeping them in force. Please contact MetLife for details.

Mercer's Role & Compensation

Details of Mercer disclosure of the compensation.

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