Long Term Disability

About LTD Coverage

With long term disability (LTD) coverage provided by Emory, you can receive a benefit equal to 66.67% of your base salary in the event you are unable to work due to a non-work-related injury or illness. With LTD there is a 180-day elimination period. Emory’s LTD coverage has a monthly maximum benefit of $15,000. It is automatically provided after you have completed one year of service in a benefits-eligible status. For LTD coverage, the 81.67% salary benefit is taxable to the recipient as LTD is employer paid.

Additional Options

Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) Option

A feature within the LTD program is the ability for you to elect the COLA option. COLA provides a 4% annual increase to the level of your LTD benefits when your disability under the LTD plan lasts more than a year. The COLA adjustment is to keep the level of your disability payments/income in pace with inflation. COLA premiums are deducted from your paycheck after tax.

COLA benefits received while on LTD are not subject to federal or state income tax. COLA is optional and is 100% employee paid. Enroll when you are initially eligible or during annual enrollment without Evidence of Insurability.

NOTE: COLA coverage added during annual enrollment is subject to preexisting condition exclusions. Any condition you were diagnosed with, treated for, or taking medication for, within three months of January 1, 2025 will be excluded for COLA benefits for 12 months after the effective date.

Supplemental Individual Disability (IDI) Option

Another feature within the LTD program is the ability for you to “buy up” and increase the level of income that is protected and paid as a benefit should a long term disability occur.

Emory provides LTD coverage at 66.67% of your base salary; Individual Disability Insurance (IDI) provides the ability for you to purchase additional coverage, making the total income replacement benefit 75% while you are disabled. Since you pay the full cost to “buy up” under the IDI feature, the additional coverage or benefit payments related to IDI are tax-free. IDI protection is also portable in the event you leave Emory.

You must enroll when you are initially eligible during the first benefits enrollment period after the effective date of your long term disability coverage. Enrollment is only offered one time. For more information, go to www.unum.com or call 800-421-0344.

Eligibility

Regular full-time or part-time employees scheduled to work 20 hours or more per week are eligible after one year of employment.

Temporary employees are not eligible.

For full-time faculty and board approved executives, coverage begins immediately.

For staff, part-time faculty and post-docs, coverage begins one year after eligibility unless you had LTD coverage for five years by a qualified plan of a previous employer. Documentation of the previous coverage must be provided to the Benefits and Work Life Department to have the one year requirement waived.

Cost

Long Term Disability

Long Term Disability is funded by Emory at 100% so there is no cost to you.

Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) Option

To determine the cost of the COLA option:

• If you are paid monthly, divide your annual salary by 12 months, then multiply it by 0.0011 to get a monthly premium.
• If you are paid bi-weekly, multiply your hourly rate by 2080, then multiply the total by 0.0011 and divide by 24 to get your bi-weekly premium.

Examples:

• For a full-time monthly paid employee:
  Annual Salary: $40,000
  Divide by 12 months: $3,333
  Multiply by 0.0011: $3.67
  Monthly Premium = $3.67
  
  
• For a full-time biweekly paid employee:
  Hourly Rate: $18.00
  Multiply by 2080 hours: $37,440
  Multiply by 0.0011
  Divide by 24 pay periods: $1.72
  Biweekly Premium = $1.72

Supplemental Individual Disability (IDI) Option

UNUM will provide rate information along with enrollment information prior to your enrollment period.

How to Enroll

No enrollment is necessary for Long Term Disability. It is automatically provided after you have completed one year of service in a benefits-eligible status.

If you are a new hire and had LTD coverage for five years by a qualified plan of a previous employer, you can waive the one year service requirement. Documentation of the previous coverage must be provided to the Benefits and Work Life Department.

To enroll in the COLA option

You must enroll in COLA within 31 days of eligibility. If you do not enroll within 31 days of eligibility and would like coverage at a later date, you must wait for the annual enrollment period.

Pre-existing limitations will apply for those who are enrolling for the first time during annual enrollment. You are considered to have a pre-existing condition if:

• you received medical treatment, consultation, care or services including diagnostic measures, or took prescribed drugs or medicines, in the three months prior to your effective date of coverage; and
• the disability begins in the first 12 months after your effective date of coverage.

To enroll in the IDI option

You must enroll in IDI when you are initially eligible during the first benefits annual enrollment period after completing one year of service. Enrollment is only offered one time.

How to Submit a Claim

When you qualify to begin receiving Long Term Disability benefits (including COLA and SIP), you must submit a UNUM Disability Claim Form. The form must be completed by you and your physician. The Employer Statement will be completed by the Disability Benefits Specialist in the Emory University Benefits Department. Mailing and faxing instructions are provided on the form.

You can also file a claim online (click Employees and Families and then click File a Claim). To do so, you will need to register for an account on UNUM’s website to complete and submit the claim.