Long Term Disability

Eligibility for Long Term Disability [LTD] is subject to collective bargaining agreement. If you have any questions on your coverage, contact the Office of Human Resources.

The College's long term disability program provides disability income and waiver of annuity premium benefits only. It does not provide basic hospital, basic medical or major medical insurance as defined by the NYS Insurance Department.

Amount of Benefits

  • 60% (benefit percentage) of the first $2,000 of basic monthly earnings, plus 40% of the excess not to exceed the maximum benefit, less other income benefits.
  • The maximum monthly benefit is $2,500
  • The minimum monthly benefit is $50

Maximum Benefit Period
Benefits begin on the first of the month following six (6) consecutive months of Total Disability, and continues as follows:

  • For a period of continuous Total Disability which commences prior to or on your 60th birthday, benefits will be paid until the first day of the month in which you reach age 65 or until the first day of the month in which Total Disability terminates, whichever occurs first.
  • For a period of continuous Total Disability which commences after your 60th birthday, benefits will be paid until the first day of the month in which you reach age 70 or until the first day of the month in which you have been in a period of Total Disability for five years, whichever occurs first. In no event, however, will any benefits be paid beyond the first day of the month in which Total Disability terminates.

    Examples:
    • If you become totally and continuously disabled on March 15, 1984 at age 40 and you remain so disabled, your benefit payments will begin on October 1, 1984 (1st of the month next following six (6) months of disability) and will continue until the 1st of the month in which your each your 65th birthday.
    • If you become totally and continuously disabled on March 11, 1984, at age 61 and you remain so disabled your benefit payments will begin on October 1, 1984 (1st of the month next following six (6) months of disability) and will continue until March 1, 1989 (1st of the month in which you have been disabled for a period of five years).
    • If you become totally and continuously disabled on March 15, 1984 at age 66 and you remain so disabled, your benefit payments will begin on October 1, 1984 (1st of the month next following six (6) months of disability) and will continue until the 1st of the month in which you reach your 70th birthday.
    • Regardless of your age, benefit payments sill cease on the first day of the month in which Total Disability ends.

Elimination Period: Six (6) Months

Monthly Waiver Benefit
The Monthly Waiver Benefit will be equal to 12% of that portion of your monthly salary base at the commencement of the period of continuous Total Disability which is subject to Social Security [FICA] taxes on such date, plus 15% of the remainder of such monthly salary base. The Monthly Waiver Benefit will be credited as monthly premiums to a TIAA retirement annuity contract [Form 1000.18] and if you so elect a College Retirement Equities Fund retirement annuity certificate [Form C1000.7] issued on your life. The allocation of a portion of the Monthly Waiver Benefit to CREDF will be in accordance with the options then available. In no event will the Monthly Waiver Benefit be credited to such contract or certificate earlier than the date a satisfactorily completed application for such TIAA contract or CREF certificate is received by TIAA. The portion of the Monthly Waiver Benefit allocated to a TIAA contract of CREFD certificate will terminate at any time premiums are no longer payable on such contract of certificate.

Terms you should know
Many terms in your certificate of coverage have special meanings. A list of these terms and meanings follows:

Total Disability – the term total disability will mean you inability, by reason of sickness or bodily injury, to engage in any occupation for which you are reasonably fitted by education, training, or experience.

Monthly Salary Base – the term Monthly Salary Base as of any given date will mean 1/12 of your basic annual salary rate (exclusive of overtime, bonuses, and other forms of additional compensation) receivable from your employer.

Reduction Amount – the term Reduction Amount will include and benefits

  1. Payable on your wage record under the Social Security Act of the United States including any benefits for dependents, or under any governmental program in Canada, as in effect at the commencement of benefit payments, hereunder, without regard to any deductions from such benefits which may be made for work or for your refusal to accept rehabilitation
  2. Paid under any Workmen's Compensation Law or similar statute except for any such benefits to which you were entitled prior to the occurrence of the accident or sickness resulting in the period of continuous Total Disability for which benefits are payable hereunder and
  3. Any disability benefits payable under any insurance or retirement plan for which contributions or payroll deductions are made by your employer. Any such benefits under (1) will be deemed to be payable for the purpose of the group policy unless, after submitting the required application for such benefits together with all proofs required, such benefits have been declined by the Social Security Administration. The term Reduction Amount will also include any payments receivable by you under your employer's sick leave or salary continuation program.

General Exclusions
Benefits will not be payable if Total Disability results from

  • Injury or sickness as a result of war, declared or undeclared
  • Injuries sustained in an accident which occurred or sickness which commenced prior to the date you became covered under the group plan, but this exclusion will not apply to a period of Total Disability commencing after a period of at least nine months during which you are continuously covered under the group plan
  • Intentional self-inflicted injury or sickness
  • Pregnancy, except that this exclusion will to apply to a period of Total Disability commencing after termination of pregnancy

Termination of Insurance
Your coverage will terminate up on the occurrence of the first of the following events:

  • Termination of the group plan
  • Modification of the group plan to terminate coverage for the class of employees to which you belong
  • The last day of the month which is seven (7) months prior to the month in which you attain your 70th birthday
  • Termination of you employment, or cessation of your active service, in the classes of employees eligible for coverage. If you cease active work, without actual termination of employment ask your employer when cessation of active service will be deemed to occur under the group plan.
  • Termination of you required contribution, if any, toward payment of premiums.

Termination of your coverage will not affect your benefits for a Total Disability existing on the date such termination is effective.

General Provisions

Notice and Proof of Claim: On receipt of written notice of claim by the College, the College will furnish forms for filing proof of claim.

Initial written proof of Total Disability must be furnished to the College on an approved claim form within twelve (12) months after the commencement of the period of continuance of Total Disability. Subsequent written proofs of the continuance of Total Disability must similarly be furnished to the College at such intervals as the College may reasonably require. Failure to furnish such proof within such time will not invalidate or reduce your claim if it was not reasonably possible for you to furnish proof within such time and if proof was given as soon as was reasonably possible. The College will have the right and opportunity to examine you whenever it may reasonably required during the period of continuous Total Disability.

The College may require as part of the proof of claim, statements of attending physicians or surgeons, copies of laboratory reports or examinations, x-rays, or extracts of hospital records, and in addition, satisfactory evidence that you have made application for all benefits included in the Reduction Amount and furnished all required proofs for such benefits.

Payment of Benefits: Monthly Income Benefits will be paid to you, and Monthly Waiver Benefits will be paid or credited in accordance with the provision entitled Monthly Waiver Benefit, on the first day of each calendar month subject to due proof on the continuance of Total Disability. The College may, in its discretion, pay any Monthly Income Benefit to any person or institution by whom or in which you are being maintained, as trustee for you, if it is shown to the satisfaction of the College that you are physically or mentally incapable of personally receipting for such payment, and such payment will discharge the College's obligation with respect to payment so made.