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What would happen if your income stopped tomorrow?
Your ability to earn an income may be your most valuable asset. Your family's lifestyle, your home, your children's education and your retirement may all hinge on your ability to work and earn an income. What if you suddenly became too sick or hurt to work, how would you continue your lifestyle? Without an income, years of hard-earned savings could evaporate in a matter of months, even weeks. That's why we want to help you to protect your income and your family's financial security with Disability Income Protection insurance.
Reduction of Benefits |
The amount of monthly benefit selected is the maximum benefit you will receive under the group policy. The benefit will be reduced by any other benefits you are entitled to receive that month from:
- an employer or self-employment
- an employer retirement plan, if such plan is elected by the member
- the retirement system of any government agency
- the Federal Social Security Act, the Railroad Retirement Act, the Canada Pension Plan or the Quebec Pension Plan
- an employer benefit plan providing disability income benefits, if such benefits do not reduce the member's life insurance amount or if such plan is elected by the member
- the Veterans Administration or any other government agency
- a workers' compensation or similar law.
In no event will the monthly benefit paid under the group policy exceed 66 2/3% of your basic monthly salary or be less than $100.In addition, benefits are reduced by one-third upon attainment of age 60.
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When Coverage Ends
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Your Short Term Disability Insurance Plan is renewable through age 70 provided the group policy remains inforce. Earlier termination can only occur if you (1) fail to pay the required premium when due (2) retire or cease to be actively engaged in full time employment of at least 20 hours per week in your profession for reasons other than total disability (3) your disability benefits have been paid for 12 months, or (4) are no longer a Member of the APWU.
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| Exhaustion Of Benefits |
Once you have received benefits under the plan for one disability, coverage will automatically terminate once the benefits are exhausted. Additional injuries or sickness contracted during the disability will not extend the coverage beyond the 12 month benefit period. You may reapply for coverage once you have returned to active full-time employment for at least 30 days.
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| Successive Disability |
Successive periods of total disability from the same or related causes, will be considered one period of total disability, unless separated by at least 6 continuous months or more of active employment or due to entirely unrelated causes.
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| Additional Survivor Benefits |
If you are totally disabled for at least 90 consecutive days and die while receiving benefits for such disability, the monthly benefit will be paid for 2 more months to your spouse or children.
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| Premium Waived |
Once you qualify for total disability you will not be required to pay any premiums for the Short Term Disability coverage while you are receiving benefits. When the disability ends and you return to full-time work, you may keep the coverage in force by resuming premium payments.
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| Waiting Period |
The waiting period means the period of consecutive days between the date that a covered total disability begins and the date the benefit period starts. There is a 30-day waiting period for each injury or sickness except Pregnancy. For pregnancy-related disabilities, there is a 90-day waiting period. Benefits are not payable at any time during the waiting period.
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| Benefit Duration |
For all injuries and sicknesses other than pregnancy, benefits are payable up to 12 months after the 30-day waiting period, provided you remain totally disabled and give required proof of continuing total disability. For disabilities that are the result of a pregnancy that begins after you are insured for 12 months following the certificate's effective date, benefits are payable for a maximum period of six weeks after the 90 day waiting period. Complications of pregnancy are covered as any other sickness.
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| Maternity Benefits |
Maternity benefits are paid as any other sickness for a maximum period of six weeks. There is a 90-day waiting period for each pregnancy. If pregnancy begins within 12 months of the certificate's effective date, pregnancy-related disabilities will not be covered. Disabilities resulting from complications of pregnancy will be treated the same as any other sickness.
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| Exclusions |
Disabilities are not covered if they result from: war or acts of war; intentionally self-inflicted injuries; mental, nervous or emotional disorders; committing a crime or an attempt to do so; or any impairment or disease specifically excluded from the insureds' coverage.
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| Pre-Existing Condition Limitation |
Pre-existing conditions are defined as any injury or sickness for which a person incurred charges, received medical treatment, consulted a physician or took prescribed drugs within 12 months prior to the date his or her insurance took effect. Disabilities resulting from pre-existing conditions are not covered under this plan until the person has not incurred charges, received medical treatment, consulted a physician or took prescription drugs for such conditions, or any complication of it, for 12 continuous months or the person stays insured under the plan for 24 continuous months.
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| What's A Total Disability? |
Total disability means a complete inability to perform the material duties of your regular occupation. The total disability must be a result of an injury or sickness, and you must be under the regular care of a doctor and not working at a gainful occupation.
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| How To Determine Your Benefit Amount And Cost |
- To determine your maximum monthly benefit amount, multiply your basic monthly postal salary by .667 to equal $___________________. Round this number down to the nearest $100.
- From the rate chart (Click here to view) locate your current age and benefit amount from step 1 above. The corresponding amount will be your bi-weekly premium amount that will be deducted from your paycheck upon receipt and approval of your application. You may, of course, apply for an amount equal to or lower than the amount in step 1.
- Complete and sign the application and return it. It's that easy!
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When Coverage Begins
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All coverage is subject to approval by New York Life. Once approved, your coverage will become effective on the first payday the premium is deducted from your paycheck. You must be at work on that day, otherwise, coverage is effective the day you return to work.
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| Who May Apply For The Plan? |
You are eligible if
- You are an active APWU Member in good standing
- You have been working full time of (at least 20 hours per week) for at least 90 consecutive days
- You're not yet age 65
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| Here's How To Apply |
- Complete the application which includes medical questions and authorizes payroll deductions. [Click here] for an application. Please make sure you complete all the information requested. An incomplete application will be returned, resulting in a delay in processing your application. Send no money.
- Return your application to: The Voluntary Benefits Plan, P.O. Box 1471, Waterbury, CT 06721 or fax to 1-203-754-7847
Once you receive your certificate of insurance, if you're not 100% satisfied within the first 30 days, we'll send you a full refund of any premiums paid during that period and your certificate will be considered never issued. You will be under no further obligation.
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| What Are The Benefits? |
You may select a monthly benefit amount from $500 to $3000 in $100 increments. Benefits you will be paid cannot exceed 66 2/3% of your basic monthly pay when combined with all other Income Benefits you are entitled to from any other source. See the Reduction of Benefits Section.
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| Basic Monthly Pay |
Basic Monthly Pay is the monthly rate of pay from your employer. The rate will be that in effect on the day before total disability begins. Basic monthly pay does not include overtime pay, bonuses, or other extra compensation.
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| Advantages To You |
- Pays up to 66 2/3% of your basic monthly pay, to maximum of $3,000 per month
- For members totally disabled, benefits continue up to 12 months (after 12 months, benefits may be paid by the Voluntary Benefits Plan Long Term Disability Plan if you have that coverage)
- Benefits may start after a 30 day waiting period (90 days waiting period for pregnancy-related disability)
- Economical APWU Group Rates are payable through payroll deduction
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| Any Questions? |
Call the following toll-free number
1-800-422-4492
• TDD 1-203-754-4410
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| Please Note |
You must notify the Voluntary Benefits Plan of any address change, employment status change, life status change (i.e., marriage, divorce, beneficiary or name change), or benefit changes requested. Notice must be in writing.
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| Administered By |
The Voluntary Benefits Plan
P.O. Box 1471
Waterbury, CT 06721
Phone: 1-800-422-4492
Fax: 1-203-754-7847
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| Underwritten By |
| New York Life Insurance Company 
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