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).
*Effective January 1, 2026, librarians will receive short-term disability benefits equivalent to those provided to faculty.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | 60% | $600 | $10 | 60 | $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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $4,200 | 60% | $2,520 | $2,500 | $10 | 250 | $0.007 | $1.75 |
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | 100% | $1,000 | $10 | 100 | $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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $5,000 | 100% | $5,000 | $10 | 500 | $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.
*Effective January 1, 2026, librarians will receive short-term disability benefits equivalent to those provided to faculty.
Example: with 10% retirement contribution
| Monthly Earnings | × Benefit % | = Monthly Benefit | ÷ Rate Units ($100) | = Premium Units | × Rate | = Monthly LTD Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $5,000 | 66.67% | $3,333.50 | $100 | 33.33 | $0.601 | $20.03 |
| Monthly Earnings | × Retirement % | ÷ Rate Units ($100) | = Premium Units | × Rate | = Monthly Retirement Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $5,000 | 10% | $100 | 5 | $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 | $100 | 200 | $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 | $100 | 200 | $0.488 | $97.60 |
F.A.Q.s
Short-Term Disability (STD) and Long-Term Disability (LTD) are initiated through The Standard. When you contact The Standard to request a leave of absence, an STD claim is filed at the same time.
You can apply by contacting The Standard to initiate your leave request:
- Call 1-800-428-2938
- Visit standard.com/absence
More instructions can be found here.
How does LTD affect my eligibility for benefits?
Health & Welfare Benefits
- If you are on a leave with pay, your benefits and premiums remain the same.
- If you are on a leave without pay, your benefits and premium amounts remain the same. You will receive information on amounts and where to mail payments once placed on leave without pay.
- When LTD is approved, your department will transition you off payroll (terminate the position).
- Upon termination, active benefits end and you will be offered continuation under COBRA.
- At that point, you will pay the full cost of 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 premiums.
- If you are age 60 or over and approved for LTD, you may contact the carrier to convert your policy; they will provide the new premium.
Retirement
- If you are approved for LTD and participate in the retirement plan, the carrier will continue to make retirement contributions to your account on the university’s behalf.
The Standard
Customer Service: 1-800-843-7979
Group #: 647381
