Short Term Disability Insurance
The Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the following changes to the Voluntary Short Term Disability (VSTD) plans for bus and rail members, effective January 1, 2017:
- For Rail Members, the maximum weekly VSTD benefit will increase from $400 to $450.
- The Elimination Period for Rail Members, which is the waiting period between the first day of a disability and the date benefits actually begin, will be reduced from 30 days to 21 days (benefits will begin on the 22nd day of disability).
Short Term Disability Insurance
The Voluntary Short-Term Disability (VSTD) plan is self-funded by SMART and administered by Southern Benefits Administrators, Inc.
The SMART short term disability plan provides a basic “safety net” of coverage for SMART TD members and was designed to work in combination with Railroad Retirement sickness benefits.
The maximum weekly VSTD benefit will increase from $400 to $450 effective January 1, 2017.
The plan provides 24-hour coverage, seven days a week, for accidents and sickness. The 24/7 coverage means on- and off-duty coverage for accidents and sickness.
The cost is $34.50 per month and is collected through payroll deduction.
The Elimination Period for Rail Members, which is the waiting period between the first day of a disability and the date benefits actually begin, will be reduced from 30 days to 21 days (benefits will begin on the 22nd day of disability).
New SMART TD members will be enrolled automatically unless they choose to opt-out of the plan by submitting a waiver form to SMART TD headquarters.
Effective with all claims incurred January 1, 2018, direct deposit of your disability payments into your bank account is mandatory. Please be sure to complete the authorization for automatic transfer that is attached to your application to avoid delay of your payments. A copy of this authorization is attached to the VSTD claim form below.
Members desiring additional disability insurance coverage may purchase an individual policy through the UTU Insurance Association. Contact your field supervisor or call the UTUIA Sales Department at (216) 228-9400 for more information.
You may view the various plan documents by Southern Benefit Administrators by clicking on the links below
The SMART short term disability plan provides a basic “safety net” of coverage for SMART TD members and was designed to work in combination with Railroad Retirement sickness benefits.
The maximum weekly VSTD benefit will increase from $400 to $450 effective January 1, 2017.
The plan provides 24-hour coverage, seven days a week, for accidents and sickness. The 24/7 coverage means on- and off-duty coverage for accidents and sickness.
The cost is $34.50 per month and is collected through payroll deduction.
The Elimination Period for Rail Members, which is the waiting period between the first day of a disability and the date benefits actually begin, will be reduced from 30 days to 21 days (benefits will begin on the 22nd day of disability).
New SMART TD members will be enrolled automatically unless they choose to opt-out of the plan by submitting a waiver form to SMART TD headquarters.
Effective with all claims incurred January 1, 2018, direct deposit of your disability payments into your bank account is mandatory. Please be sure to complete the authorization for automatic transfer that is attached to your application to avoid delay of your payments. A copy of this authorization is attached to the VSTD claim form below.
Members desiring additional disability insurance coverage may purchase an individual policy through the UTU Insurance Association. Contact your field supervisor or call the UTUIA Sales Department at (216) 228-9400 for more information.
You may view the various plan documents by Southern Benefit Administrators by clicking on the links below
Long Term Disability Insurance
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About Open Enrollment
We are pleased to announce that Open Enrollment has begun for the SMART TD Voluntary Disability Plan (VDP). Members now have options to supplement their income with valuable Disability Insurance. The time to learn and enroll is now. While Open Enrollment ends on November 30th, 2019, the date your coverage becomes effective is determined by the date you enroll…the sooner you enroll the sooner you can be covered. To enroll, call 224-770-5328.
NOTE: Members previously enrolled in the MetLife Long-Term Disability Plan can enroll in and will be guaranteed approved for a benefit up to $1,000 per month, regardless of how many members participate in the plan.
IMPORTANT: Once 20% of members enroll in the new Voluntary Disability Plan (VDP), then all coverage amounts up to $3,000 per month (not to exceed 60% of earnings) will be Guaranteed Approved for all members, except for any member that had a policy previously issued for a smaller amount. If less than 20% of members enroll, then members’ elections will be accepted or rejected based on the their answers to the medical questions on the application. Regardless of participation, members choosing benefit amounts over $3,000 per month (not to exceed 60% of earnings) will be accepted or rejected based on their answers to the medical questions on the application. Within the VDP, Bus members and Rail members are separated into two groups, each with their own 20% participation requirement.
NOTE: Members previously enrolled in the MetLife Long-Term Disability Plan can enroll in and will be guaranteed approved for a benefit up to $1,000 per month, regardless of how many members participate in the plan.
IMPORTANT: Once 20% of members enroll in the new Voluntary Disability Plan (VDP), then all coverage amounts up to $3,000 per month (not to exceed 60% of earnings) will be Guaranteed Approved for all members, except for any member that had a policy previously issued for a smaller amount. If less than 20% of members enroll, then members’ elections will be accepted or rejected based on the their answers to the medical questions on the application. Regardless of participation, members choosing benefit amounts over $3,000 per month (not to exceed 60% of earnings) will be accepted or rejected based on their answers to the medical questions on the application. Within the VDP, Bus members and Rail members are separated into two groups, each with their own 20% participation requirement.
Notice to All Participants (BUS & RAIL) – Please Read
Eligibility Notice
To be eligible to enroll in the Voluntary Disability Plan (VDP) you must be an actively working, full dues paying member of SMART TD working a minimum of 20 hours per work.
Premium Changes
Monthly premiums are based on your age at the time you enroll and do not increase over time. If you choose to add coverage in the future, your premiums for the additional amount of coverage will be based on your age at that time.
Guaranteed Renewable
Coverage remains in force up to age 72, as long as premiums are paid. Premiums do not increase as the insured gets older. This is an Individual Policy which the insured can keep even if he or she changes jobs or retires.
SMART TD does not make any endorsement or recommendations regarding these benefits. It is the member’s responsibility to learn about and fully understand the benefits being offered. This program is completely voluntary, and it is solely the member’s decision to enroll. This page provides information, which can be viewed or downloaded, related to your Voluntary Disability Plan (VDP). If you have any questions regarding the plan, please call 224-770-5328.
To be eligible to enroll in the Voluntary Disability Plan (VDP) you must be an actively working, full dues paying member of SMART TD working a minimum of 20 hours per work.
Premium Changes
Monthly premiums are based on your age at the time you enroll and do not increase over time. If you choose to add coverage in the future, your premiums for the additional amount of coverage will be based on your age at that time.
Guaranteed Renewable
Coverage remains in force up to age 72, as long as premiums are paid. Premiums do not increase as the insured gets older. This is an Individual Policy which the insured can keep even if he or she changes jobs or retires.
SMART TD does not make any endorsement or recommendations regarding these benefits. It is the member’s responsibility to learn about and fully understand the benefits being offered. This program is completely voluntary, and it is solely the member’s decision to enroll. This page provides information, which can be viewed or downloaded, related to your Voluntary Disability Plan (VDP). If you have any questions regarding the plan, please call 224-770-5328.
Policy Provisions (BUS & RAIL)
- 24 Hour Coverage – this benefit covers you on and off the job
- Active SMART TD members working a minimum of 20 hours per week are eligible
- Pre-existing conditions are covered after 12 months on the plan
- Mental Illnesses are covered for up to 3 months of benefits paid
- Alcohol and Drug abuse are covered for up to 15 days in any 12 month period
- The remainder of total disability benefit will be paid in a lump sum up to 12 months upon the diagnosis of a terminal illness
- Coverage remains in force up to age 72 as long as premiums are paid. Premiums do not increase as the insured gets older.
- This individual policy is the insured’s to keep even if they change jobs or retire
Notice to Prior MetLife Participants – Please Read
Your MetLife Plan was cancelled on April 1st, 2019. In order to regain your coverage, you must enroll in the new Voluntary Disability Plan (VDP). Please call 224-770-5328 to enroll.
Because you were previously enrolled in the MetLife Voluntary Long-Term Disability Plan, you are guaranteed approved for benefit amounts up to $1,000 with no medical underwriting. You have until the end of open enrollment to receive your guaranteed approved benefit. Members that were not previously enrolled in the MetLife Voluntary Long-Term Disability Plan have no guaranteed approved benefit and are subject to medical underwriting.
Your ability to earn an income and provide for your family is the most important asset you have. This plan helps you protect that asset if you cannot work due to a disability. While we have reviewed the policy and believe it to be the best coverage for our membership, the decision to take advantage of this benefit is your responsibility.
To enroll or learn more, please call the SMART TD VDP Enrollment Center at 224-770-5328. You are encouraged to call the Enrollment Center to discuss your options with a Benefit Specialist and select the benefit that best fits your needs and the needs of your family.
IMPORTANT: It is your responsibility to enroll in the new Voluntary Disability Plan, and if you don’t then you will not have coverage. Open enrollment ends on November 30th, 2019. Please call 224-770-5328 to enroll.
Because you were previously enrolled in the MetLife Voluntary Long-Term Disability Plan, you are guaranteed approved for benefit amounts up to $1,000 with no medical underwriting. You have until the end of open enrollment to receive your guaranteed approved benefit. Members that were not previously enrolled in the MetLife Voluntary Long-Term Disability Plan have no guaranteed approved benefit and are subject to medical underwriting.
Your ability to earn an income and provide for your family is the most important asset you have. This plan helps you protect that asset if you cannot work due to a disability. While we have reviewed the policy and believe it to be the best coverage for our membership, the decision to take advantage of this benefit is your responsibility.
To enroll or learn more, please call the SMART TD VDP Enrollment Center at 224-770-5328. You are encouraged to call the Enrollment Center to discuss your options with a Benefit Specialist and select the benefit that best fits your needs and the needs of your family.
IMPORTANT: It is your responsibility to enroll in the new Voluntary Disability Plan, and if you don’t then you will not have coverage. Open enrollment ends on November 30th, 2019. Please call 224-770-5328 to enroll.
Plan Documents
- Simple and convenient payroll deduction
For more information, click on the SMART LOGO link below.
