VRS Handbook for Members - Virginia Retirement System

Long-Term Disability Coverage
Long-term disability coverage provides income replacement if you become
disabled and cannot work for an extended period. The long-term disability
benefit begins after you have been on short-term disability for 125 workdays, as
determined by Unum. Income replacement for long-term disability is equal to 60
percent of your pre-disability income, including any salary increases you receive
while on short-term disability. If your condition becomes catastrophic, you may
be eligible for an adjustment to your income replacement (see right column).
You are eligible for long-term disability coverage if you cannot work at all or can
work at least 20 hours a week but cannot perform your full duties. To be eligible
to work a reduced schedule while on long-term disability, you must have been
working a reduced schedule during your short-term disability period.
Coordination with Other Benefits
Workers’ compensation. If you suffer a work-related illness or injury and your
condition is determined to be compensable under the Virginia Workers’
Compensation Act, your VSDP work-related disability benefit will be adjusted
by any workers’ compensation benefits you receive.
If Your Condition is
Catastrophic – If you are
on short-term or long-term
disability receiving 60 percent
of your pre-disability income,
your income replacement will
increase to 80 percent if your
condition is determined to be
catastrophic. If your condition
improves and is no longer
considered catastrophic, your
income replacement will return
to 60 percent.
A catastrophic condition means
you are unable to perform at
least two of the following six
activities of daily living without
substantial assistance:
Family and Medical Leave Act. You are eligible to take authorized unpaid leave
under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for certain personal or
family situations. This leave will be coordinated with your sick leave, family and
personal leave and VSDP disability coverage. For more information, contact your
human resource office.
Social Security disability benefits. If you are on long-term disability, you may be
required to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. The
VSDP third-party administrator, Unum, will assist you with the application
process as well as the appeal process if your application is denied.
Health insurance credit. If you are on long-term disability, you are eligible for a
health insurance credit of $120 per month or $4 per year of service credit per
month at the time you become disabled, whichever is higher, not to exceed the
amount of your individual health insurance premiums. The health insurance
credit is a tax-free benefit that assists with health insurance premiums you pay
for single coverage, excluding any portion of the premiums covering a spouse or
dependents. For more information about the health insurance credit, see Chapter
13-Insurance in Retirement.
1. Bathing
2. Transferring, such as
getting in and out of bed
3. Dressing
4. Toileting (using the
bathroom)
5. Continence
6. Eating (ability to feed oneself)
For more information, call Unum
toll free at 1-800-652-5602 or
visit www.unum.com/claimant.
37 | CH 6 • VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEM Plan 1