2026 Disability Insurance

Short-Term Disability

Short-Term Disability (STD) coverage, provided by Unum, provides participating employees with an approved claim paid leave for illnesses and injuries lasting more than 14 or 30 days, up to 22 or 24 weeks, depending on which option you choose.

UNUM does not require Evidence of Insurability (also known as proof of good health) to enroll in the Short-Term Disability plan. This means that any employee choosing to enroll in the Short-Term Disability plan will have guaranteed acceptance. The pre-existing exclusion will apply, and benefits will not be payable for that condition during the first year. This includes pregnancy, if you are pregnant when you first enroll in the STD Benefits, the pre-existing exclusion will apply, and benefits will not be payable for that pregnancy.

You must exhaust all your sick time prior to the STD benefit providing income replacement. Benefits are based on a $10 per weekly benefit calculation.

• Benefit amount is 60% to a maximum benefit of $1,500 per week.
• Maximum weekly covered salary is $2,500 ($130,000 of annual income)

Monthly Example: Employee earning $80,000 per year

Calculation: Annual base salary ÷ 52 weeks to determine weekly income
Weekly income ($1,538) x 60% = Weekly benefit ($923)

14-DAY ELIMINATION PERIOD OPTION RATE = .284 Monthly cost: .284 X $923 = $262.13 ÷ $10 = $26.21 per month (Rate x weekly benefit ÷ $10 = monthly contribution)

30-DAY ELIMINATION PERIOD OPTION RATE = .187 Monthly cost: .187 x $923 = $172.60 ÷ $10 = $17.26 per month (Rate x weekly benefit ÷ $10 = monthly contribution)

Bi-Weekly Example: Employee earning $55,000 per year

Calculation: Annual base salary ÷ 52 weeks to determine weekly income Weekly income ($1,058) x 60% = Weekly benefit ($635)

14-DAY ELIMINATION PERIOD OPTION RATE = .284 Bi-weekly cost: .284 X $635 = $180.34 ÷ $10 = $18.03 per month x 12 months = $216.41 ÷ 26 bi-weekly pays = $8.32 (Rate x weekly benefit ÷ $10 = monthly contribution)

30-DAY ELIMINATION PERIOD OPTION RATE = .187 Bi-weekly cost: .187 x $635 = $118.75 ÷ $10 = $11.87 per month x 12 months = $142.49 ÷ 26 bi-weekly pays = $5.48 (Rate x weekly benefit ÷ $10 = monthly contribution)

There are two types of Long-term disability (LTD) plans offered through Unum for Penn State employees. There is an option for LTD only or an option for LTD with Retirement Income Protection (RIP).

Depending on your salary, upon an approved LTD claim you can receive 60% of your salary up to a maximum of $10,000 per month.

Long-term Disability (LTD)

Long-Term Disability (LTD) provides you and your family with protection from loss of your income if you become unable to work because of an accident, illness, or injury.

Long-Term Disability with Retirement Income Protection (LTD/RIP)

You may also choose the LTD plan option that is coupled with Retirement Income Protection (RIP), that provides protection toward your retirement plan contributions, and your long-term retirement goals, in the event of your disability. If you become disabled and qualify for LTD payments per the above maximums, the RIP would continue contributions.

The contribution will be equal to 14.29% of your pre-disability income and is available to participants in both the State Employee's Retirement System (SERS) and the TIAA retirement plan, but the RIP contributions will be sent to a TIAA retirement plan on your behalf.

LTD calculation example using the below annual rate to calculate the per pay premium contribution:

Monthly: $50,000 salary x $0.00187 = $93.50 per year; $93.50 yearly premium / 12 monthly pays in the year = $7.79 premium per pay

Bi-weekly: $50,000 salary x $0.00187 = $93.50 per year; $93.50 yearly premium / 26 bi-weekly pays in the year = $3.60 premium per pay

LTD/RIP calculation example using the above annual rate to calculate the per pay premium contribution:

Monthly: $50,000 salary x $0.00276 = $138.00 per year; $138.00 yearly premium / 12 monthly pays in the year = $11.50 premium per pay

Bi-weekly: $50,000 salary x $0.00276 = $138.00 per year; $138.00 yearly premium / 26 monthly pays in the year = $5.31 premium per pay