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Disability Benefits

Disability Benefits

If you are out of work for an extended period of time because of a disabling injury or illness, disability benefits are designed to replace a portion of your income and help you maintain your lifestyle. Disability is defined as being unable to perform the material duties of your own occupation because of physical disease, injury, pregnancy, or mental disorder.

Short-Term Disability (STD)

All benefits-eligible employees are automatically enrolled in Short-Term Disability (STD) after six (6) months of employment; coverage cannot be waived. The waiting (elimination) period is 30 calendar days from when the disability occurs before benefits become payable. Payroll deductions/premiums for STD are made on a pre-tax basis, and benefit payments are taxed.

Staff, Librarians, and Post-Doctorates

  • Benefit: 60% of earnings, up to a $2,500 weekly maximum.
  • During the 30-day waiting period: employees must use accrued sick time.
  • Months 2–3: sick time may be used to cover the remaining 40%.
  • Earnings definition: Base Pay + Shift Differential (if applicable).

Premiums: Based on the weekly benefit amount. STD benefit equals 60% of weekly earnings (maximum $2,500). Rate: $0.007 per $10 of benefit.


Example A

If weekly earnings are $1,000:

Weekly Earnings× Benefit %= Weekly Benefit÷ Rate Units ($10)= Premium Units× Rate= Monthly Premium
$1,00060%$600$1060$0.007$0.42


Example B

If weekly earnings are $4,200 (benefit capped at $2,500):

Weekly Earnings× Benefit %= Weekly Benefit= Max Allowed÷ Rate Units ($10)= Premium Units× Rate= Monthly Premium
$4,20060%$2,520$2,500$10250$0.007$1.75

Faculty and Administrators

  • Benefit: 100% of earnings.
  • Earnings definition: Base Pay.

Premiums: STD benefit equals 100% of weekly earnings. Rate: $0.007 per $10 of benefit.

Example

Weekly Earnings× Benefit %= Weekly Benefit÷ Rate Units ($10)= Premium Units× Rate= Monthly Premium
$1,000100%$1,000$10100$0.007$0.70

Tulane University Medical Group (TUMG) Faculty Members

  • Benefit: 100% of earnings.
  • Earnings definition: Base Pay + Supplemental Pay based on clinical earnings.

Premiums: STD benefit equals 100% of weekly earnings. Rate: $0.059 per $10 of benefit.

Example

Weekly Earnings× Benefit %= Weekly Benefit÷ Rate Units ($10)= Premium Units× Rate= Monthly Premium
$5,000100%$5,000$10500$0.059$29.50

Long-Term Disability (LTD)

All benefits-eligible employees default to Long-Term Disability (LTD), which pays a monthly benefit if you cannot work because of a long-term illness or injury. There is a 90-day waiting period. Employees cannot waive this plan. When approved for LTD, the carrier will continue retirement contributions for employees enrolled in Tulane's Faculty or Staff retirement plans. Payroll deductions/premiums are made on a post-tax basis, and benefit payments are not taxed.

Faculty, Administrators, Staff, Librarians, and Post-Doctorates

  • LTD benefit: 66.67% of pre-disability earnings (excluding overtime and other payments), with a $8,000 monthly maximum for Faculty and Staff.
  • If receiving retirement contributions on the date of disability, The Standard will continue to pay a monthly retirement contribution while receiving LTD benefits.
  • Premium rate: $0.601 per $100 of benefit. The rate increases to $1.500 per $100 of provided benefit upon eligibility to receive a retirement contribution from Tulane.


Example: with 10% retirement contribution

Monthly Earnings× Benefit %= Monthly Benefit÷ Rate Units ($100)= Premium Units× Rate= Monthly LTD Premium
$5,00066.67%$3,333.50$10033.33$0.601$20.03
Monthly Earnings× Retirement %÷ Rate Units ($100)= Premium Units× Rate= Monthly Retirement Premium
$5,00010%$1005$1.50$7.50

Total Monthly Premium for LTD and Retirement: $27.53

TUMG Faculty Members with < 2 Years of Employment

  • Benefit: 60% of pre-disability earnings (includes incentive pay and Veterans Administration pay), with a $15,000 monthly maximum.
  • Premiums based on monthly covered earnings (payroll). LTD benefit equals 60% of monthly covered earnings, up to a maximum of $25,000.
  • Premium rate: $0.377 per $100 covered payroll.


Example

Monthly Covered Earnings÷ Rate Units ($100)= Premium Units× Rate= Monthly LTD Premium
$20,000$100200$0.377$75.40

TUMG Faculty Members with ≥ 2 Years of Employment

  • Benefit: 60% of pre-disability earnings (includes incentive pay and Veterans Administration pay), with a $15,000 monthly maximum.
  • The Standard will continue to pay a monthly 12% retirement contribution while receiving LTD benefits.
  • Premium rate increases to $0.488 per $100 of provided benefit when eligible for employer retirement contribution.


Example

Monthly Covered Earnings÷ Rate Units ($100)= Premium Units× Rate= Monthly LTD Premium
$20,000$100200$0.488$97.60

 

F.A.Q.s

 

STD and LTD are initiated through The Standard. When you reach out to The Standard to request a leave of absence, a STD claim is simultaneously filed with The Standard.

You can apply by reaching out to The Standard to initiate your leave request, call The Standard at 1-800-428-2938 or visit standard.com/absence. 

More instructions can be found here. 

 

Health & Welfare Benefits

  • If you are on a leave with pay, your benefits and premiums remain the 
    same.
  • If you are placed on a leave without pay, your benefits and premium 
    amounts remain the same, but you will have to remit the premiums to 
    the Direct Bill Administrator, WageWorks. You will receive information 
    regarding the amounts—i.e., when and where to mail your premiums—
    once placed on a leave without pay.
  • When an employee is approved for LTD, the department will transition 
    them off the payroll (terminate the position).
  • Upon termination, your active benefits will end and you will be offered 
    the opportunity to continue your benefits under COBRA.
  • At this point, you will pay the full cost of the health insurance.
     


Life Insurance

  • If you are under age 60 and approved for LTD, the carrier may allow 
    you to continue your life insurance and waive the premiums.
  • If you are over age 60 and approved for LTD, you can contact the 
    carrier to convert your policy and they will provide you with the new premium. 
     


Retirement

  • If you are approved for LTD and in the retirement plan, the carrier 
    will continue to make retirement contributions to your account on the university's behalf.
     

Approval for LTD/STD is determined by the carrier. To determine if you have a qualified disability as defined by each carrier, please review the links below: