Disability Insurance

Under MetLife’s policies you will be considered disabled if, because of sickness, pregnancy or accidental injury, you are under the appropriate care and treatment of a physician and you are unable to earn 80% of your predisability earnings at your own job, or your own occupation for your own employer, or your own occupation for any employer in a defined geographic location, during the elimination period (during which no benefits are paid) and the first 24 months after that. The precise details will vary depending on your employer’s plan. Some plans also require you to be unable to do the material duties of your own job or occupation. After you have received benefits for 24 months, you will be considered disabled if you can show that you are unable to earn more than 60% of predisability earnings, commensurate with your training, education and experience, for any employer in a defined geographic location. Like all disability insurance policies, MetLife’s policies have certain exclusions and limitations and other conditions that you may need to satisfy. Please speak to your benefits administrator for the specific details of your employer’s plan.

Benefits begin on the day after you have met the elimination period.

Benefits will be paid until the standard maximum benefit period has been reached or until you are no longer disabled.

Disability coverage that replaces 60 percent of your after-tax income is generally recommended.

Small business owners have special concerns in addition to protecting their income with disability insurance and should consider obtaining professional advice about disability plan options that can help protect a business if an owner becomes disabled (e.g., business overhead expense insurance and disability buy-sell plans).

To estimate the benefit amount you would need if you became disabled, ask yourself how much monthly income would cover your living expenses. Household expenses may include mortgage and car payments, groceries and child care. Consider all these factors to help you come up with an appropriate amount.

The MetLife Disability Calculator is another handy resource you can use to estimate the amount of disability insurance income you would need to help maintain your current standard of living.

Social Security disability benefits may be available to eligible individuals who experience a disability that is expected to last longer than one year, in addition to other requirements. Social Security disability benefits are not intended for temporary conditions. You should also note that Social Security's disability rules are different from those of other government or private programs. For more information on Social Security disability benefits eligibility, visit the Social Security Administration's website at www.ssa.gov.

There are several ways to obtain disability insurance coverage. Check with your workplace benefits specialist to find out if your company offers group disability insurance, and if you are eligible. If so, your benefits administrator can provide you with plan details.

You will need written proof of your disability to file a claim. Your insurer may also require medical records from your doctors concerning the details of your disability. Your insurer may also want you examined at their cost and/or may require financial information from you.

Your benefits will begin accumulating after you have been disabled for the predetermined waiting period. If you return to work before the waiting period is over, you most likely will not be eligible for benefits. Note that the premiums for your disability plan are usually waived during your disability.