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Effective January 1, 2008

Disability Insurance

A. The Standard Total Disability Benefits Plan
Faculty who participate in the FRP are eligible to receive income replacement benefits in the event they become totally disabled from The Standard Disability Benefit Plan. Total disability is defined by The Standard as the "inability of the employee, by reason of sickness or bodily injury, to engage in any occupation for which the employee is reasonably fitted by education, training or experience." The benefit begins the month following six consecutive months of total disability and continues for the duration of the disability or until one of the following age limits is attained:
Age When Total Disability Starts Maximum Duration of Benefits
Less than 60 to age 65
60 but less than 65 5 years
65 but less than 68-1/2 to age 70
68-1/2 and over 1 year

The plan provides a Monthly Income Benefit that is equal to 66-2/3percent (offset by any social security or workers' compensation benefits) of the covered member's monthly salary, but not to exceed $20,000 monthly. The plan also includes an annual 3 percent cost-of-living increment and continued contributions to the Faculty Retirement Plan.

The University pays the total cost of this insurance. Since the program is a group term plan, insurance terminates on the day on which active service terminates. The insurance may be converted to an individual policy with reduced benefits if application is made within 31 days of coverage termination.
Disability benefits for VRS participants are provided through the Virginia Sickness and Disability Program for VRS participants hired after January 1, 1999 who elected VSDP during the Spring of 1999, or the VRS Disability Insurance Program. All benefits are reduced by Social Security or Workers' Compensation.

B. Virginia Sickness And Disability Program
Effective January 1, 1999 all newly hired employees will be enrolled in the Virginia Sickness and Disability Program (VSDP). Effective each January 10 current salaried employees will receive 8 to 10 days of sick leave annually depending on the number of months of State service. Part-time employees, who work at least 20 hours per week on a salaried basis are eligible to participate in the VSDP and earn up to five days of sick leave annually depending on months of service. In addition to sick leave, full-time salaried and eligible part-time salaried employees will also receive up to five days of a new leave category called "Family and Personal Leave."

The Virginia Sickness and Disability Program provides income replacement after a seven calendar day waiting period. Short-term disability coverage provides income replacement of 100 percent for the first five days of disability, 80 percent of income for 20 days and 60 percent for 100 days. The maximum short-term disability benefit is 125 work days.

Percentage of Creditable Compensation and Days (Hours)
Months of Service 100% 80% 60%
Less than 60 5 days (40 hrs.) 20 days (160 hrs.) 100 days (800 hrs.)
60 - 119 25 days (200 hrs.) 25 days (200 hrs.) 75 days (600 hrs.)
120 - 179 25 days (200 hrs.) 50 days (400 hrs.) 50 days (400 hrs.)
180 or more 25 days (200 hrs.) 75 days (600 hrs.) 25 days (200 hrs.)

Long term disability coverage is provided after an employee completes the short-term disability period (six months). If approved for long term disability, 60 percent of income is paid until age 65 or until the disability no longer exists. If the disability began after age 60 the benefit period is five years.

Once an individual enters long term disability they are separated from university service. If at a latter date an individual is cleared from long term disability and wishes to return to service with the university, they must apply for a position through the normal competitive hiring process.

This program is at no cost to employees. The Commonwealth of Virginia has contracted the management of this program to a third party administrator, UNUM Life Insurance Company of America. For information on UNUM . call toll-free (800) 652-5602, visit the VRS website at http://www.varetire.org or contact the UHR Benefits Division for more detailed information.

C. Disability Insurance for VRS Participants
The Virginia Retirement System provides income replacement benefits through disability retirement.VRS members are eligible for disability retirement if the following conditions apply: the member becomes mentally or physically unable to perform present duties and the disability is likely to be permanent. Regular disability benefits are based upon the average annual salary paid during the highest 36 consecutive months of credited service.