Could you pay your bills if an illness or injury prevented you from working? Disability benefits can help.

Disability benefits are administered by New York Life.

Short-Term Disability (STD)

In the event that you are unable to work due to a nonwork-related illness or injury, the company provides income replacement through the Short-Term Disability benefit. This benefit applies to periods of absence greater than seven consecutive days but not longer than 26 weeks from your last day worked due to the illness or injury. The benefit amount varies based on your designation as a Core or Custom associate.

Core associates are eligible to receive 60% of salary up to $1,000 per week. Custom associates outside of California are eligible to receive 60% of pay up to $500 per week. Custom associates in California receive a statutory benefit through the state.

^{Note: Some Custom associates will receive different short-term disability benefits based on their collective bargaining agreement or the statutory requirements of the state in which they work.}

Long-Term Disability (LTD)

LTD coverage is designed to provide income protection in the event you are totally disabled for more than 26 weeks for an illness or injury. LTD benefits from this plan will be offset by any Social Security income benefits that you and your family are eligible to receive.

Core associates are provided a company paid LTD benefit of 50% of salary up to a maximum of $8,333 per month, with an option to buy-up to a 60% of pay benefit to a maximum of $10,000 per month. If you qualify for benefits, your benefit is payable until you recover or to age 65 (different duration rules apply if you are over age 60 at the onset of disability). The portion of any benefit you received that was paid by the company is taxable income to you; any portion of the benefit paid that is based on your own contributions is not.

Custom associates are eligible to elect associate-paid coverage of 60% of salary, up to a maximum benefit of $10,000 per month for a maximum of five years in duration from onset of disability.

Deductions will be post-tax, meaning a portion of the disability benefit you receive will not be taxed. The cost of your LTD benefit for both Core and Custom associates is based on your current salary. When salary changes during the year, your LTD deduction will recalculate.

^{Note: Some Custom associates will have different long-term disability options available to them for purchase.}

Things to Consider

When deciding whether to enroll in voluntary disability coverage, be sure to consider the following:

Cost per Paycheck
The cost of disability coverage is based on the level of coverage you elect. You’ll be able to see the cost per paycheck when you enroll.

Other Income Sources
If you were unable to work, would other sources of income be available to you, such as sick pay, salary continuance, a short-term state disability plan, or Social Security? If so, consider whether you would have enough money to pay your ongoing expenses for a period of time.

Taxes
Disability benefits may be taxable as ordinary income. That means federal and state income taxes will be deducted from disability benefit checks. When choosing a disability coverage level, be aware that taxes may affect the dollar amount of your benefit.