Supplemental Disability Information for Faculty
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Click on the appropriate item below for more information.
Why Enroll in the Supplemental Disability Plan?
- Paid sick leave for faculty has limits.
- This benefit replaces up to 70% of your income during a disabling illness or injury.
- Cost is nominal for the level of coverage provided, especially for the 180-day waiting period.
- UC does not participate in California State Disability Insurance.
- The maximum UCRP long-term disability benefit is 40% with 12+ years of service credit (minimum eligibility is 5 years of service credit)
- The maximum UC-paid Short-Term Disability benefit is only $800 per month for six months.
- 30% of workers, aged 35-65, will become disabled for 90+ days.
- Half of all mortgage foreclosures result because a homeowner can’t work.
Why Not Enroll in the Supplemental Disability Plan?
- You have enough other continuing income – for example, a spouse's or domestic partner's income.
- You would elect to retire if you became seriously ill or injured.
- Your UCRP basic retirement income is currently 70% or more of your salary; e.g. if you are currently age 58, you would need 32 years of service credit to receive 70% of your salary.
Things To Consider When Choosing a Waiting Period
- Paid sick leave for faculty has limits.
- What is the likelihood (or current existence) of chronic or recurring illness? You may want a shorter waiting period. Note: pre-existing condition exclusions may apply for long-term coverage, but will not affect the first 12 months of coverage.
- Have you been a faculty member for less than one year? You might want to look at a 7- or 30- day waiting period initially, and change to a longer one after one year.
- You can change to a longer waiting period or cancel coverage at any time. You cannot enroll or shorten your waiting period without submitting a statement of health and receiving carrier approval.
- Most often a 30- or 180-day waiting period are appropriate for faculty. However, you need to choose the waiting period you feel best meets your needs.
Calculating Supplemental Disability Plan Premiums
You can calculate your own premium using the Disability Insurance Premium Calculator. Be sure to use only your covered compensation amount. This includes your salary plus any stipends. Do not count any additional compensation.
Premiums are based on your age and covered compensation. Rates are adjusted annually on the first of January.
Examples of Supplemental Disability Plan Benefits
| Pre-Disability Annual Covered Compensation | Pre-Disability Monthly Covered Compensation | UC-Paid Short-Term Disability Benefit only, monthly benefit | UC-Paid Short-Term plus Supplemental Disability, monthly benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| $ 50,000 | $4,167 | $800 | $2917 |
| $100,000 | $8,334 | $800 | $5834 |
| $150,000 | $12,500 | $800 | $8750 |
| $200,000 | $16,667* | $800 | $10,000 |
*Maximum disability benefit is $10,000/month. Maximum premiums are based on a salary of $14,286 per month.
Additional Resources:
- Disability Benefits Information for Faculty factsheet (PDF). Your Department Benefits Counselor can also provide you with a hard copy of this factsheet.
- Liberty Mutual, the disability plan insurance company, will answer questions about the plan at 800-838-4461.
- If you have additional questions or concerns that are not answered by these materials, please contact the Academic Personnel Office (642-5626) or the appropriate HR Benefits contact.
