Short Term Disability
This product is designed to protect a participant from losing total income of some level on a weekly basis. There are characteristics of Short Term Disability that would fit the needs of most employees whether they are compensated on a salary level or on an hourly basis. Things to consider when designing your Short Term Disability benefit are as follows:
- Many times this product is used in place of a Salary Continuation program sponsored by the employer and in most cases less expensive.
- Benefits are for a sickness or non-occupational accident.
- Replacement benefits are usually based on 60% of pre-disability weekly income.
- Maximum weekly benefits are usually a variable of the group population; the larger the group the bigger the maximum benefit.
- Elimination periods can vary from 1-8-13, which reads 1st day accident, 8th day sickness,13 weeks maximum duration all the way up to a two year benefit duration period.
- Short Term Disability products dovetail nicely into an extended benefit plan which we will discuss entitled Long Term Disability, designed specifically to accommodate a beneficiary when the disability is significantly extended.