Long-Term Disability Insurance

WVU offers a long term disability plan through Standard Insurance Company provides a nontaxable monthly income to age 65 in the event of total disability. If total disability occurs at age 60 or older, different rules apply.

New hires may enroll the month of hire or the following month. Employees who enroll after that time period will be required to submit an LTD Evidence of Insurability Form and be subject to review and approval by Standard Insurance Company.

Total disability under this policy is defined as follows:

• During the first 24 months - being completely unable due to sickness, bodily injury or pregnancy to perform in your normal occupation.
• After the first 24 months - being unable due to sickness, bodily injury or pregnancy to perform any occupation for which you are reasonably suited by education, training or experience.

If total disability is due to mental illness, alcoholism and/or drug abuse, benefits are limited to no more than 24 months.

Premiums are based on the employee's base salary and paid by the employee. This is not a pre-tax premium so the benefit is not taxable.

Income Benefit

The income benefit is based upon the employee's base salary and begins after six months of total disability. The income benefit is 60% of the employee's base salary up to $5,000 - less any offsets, such as any income payable from Social Security, Worker's Compensation, and any disability benefit payable under any insurance or retirement plan sponsored by WVU or any salary continuance programs. The minimum monthly benefit under this plan is $100.

There is an annual benefit adjustment, which begins 36 months after the date Standard benefits are first payable. The adjustment reflects the percentage change in the U.S. Consumer Price Index but will never be greater than 3 percent.

Monthly Annuity Premium Benefit

Employees enrolled in the plan also receive a "Monthly Annuity Premium Benefit". The annuity benefit provides for a monthly contribution of an amount equal to 12 percent of the employees' salary to TIAA and/or CREF Retirement Accounts. If the employee does not have a TIAA/CREF Retirement Account, an account will be established for him/her.

Survivor Income Benefit

The plan also includes a "Survivor Income Benefit" payable as of the first day of the month after the employee's death. The "Survivor Income Benefit" equals the last monthly income benefit received, multiplied by three. It will be paid to surviving dependent(s) if the following criteria are met:

• Employee was totally disabled for the full 12 months prior to death; and
• Employee is survived by one or more surviving dependents. (A spouse or unmarried child who was dependent on the employee for support and maintenance, under age 19; or 19 but less than age 23 and enrolled in school as a full-time student.)

2008 Premium Rates

Please click on the following link in order to view WVU's 2008 LTD Rate Table.