Long Term Disability Insurance
During IBM’s Annual Benefits Enrollment, October 26 through November 9, 2026, active IBMers can enroll in Long-Term Disability through NetBenefits. Coverage will be effective on January 1, 2027.
Protect your paycheck if you can’t work
If an illness or injury kept you out of work for months, how would you cover your bills? Long-Term Disability (LTD) insurance replaces part of your income, so you and your family can keep up with essentials like your mortgage, rent, and groceries.
Keep income coming in if you can't work because of a covered disability, LTD replaces 50% or 66⅔% of your eligible income.
Long Term Disability
Under the IBM Long Term Disability Plan (the “LTD Plan”), you may be eligible to receive a monthly benefit, if you meet the Plan’s definition of disability and have completed the 26 week Elimination Period. The LTD Plan options you are eligible to choose during the enrollment period depend on your years of service.
Employees with less than 5 years of service
Employees with less than 5 years of service can elect no coverage or a benefit providing either 50% or 66 2/3% of eligible pay while on LTD.
Employees with more than 5 years of service
IBM automatically provides coverage that replaces 50% of your eligible income at no cost to you, when you attain five (5) years of service. Employees with more than 5 years of service can elect a benefit providing 50% of eligible pay while on LTD (which is paid for by IBM) or a benefit providing 66 2/3% of your eligible pay while on LTD.
The 50% coverage option has a maximum monthly benefit of $20,000 and the 66 2/3% coverage option has a maximum monthly benefit of $26,667. LTD benefits are considered taxable income and will be reduced by any Social Security Disability Income you receive.
Evidence of Insurability may be required when you enroll in or increase coverage after your initial eligibility opportunity.
Your cost depends on your age, eligible pay, years of service, and the coverage you choose. Check your personalized cost on netbenefits.com during Annual Enrollment. For questions about LTD coverage, please contact the IBM Benefits Center Provided by Fidelity at 1-866-937-0720.
Evidence of Insurability (EOI)
EOI is not required when you are first eligible to enroll in the LTD Plan, the enrollment period after you reach 5 years of service, or if your level of coverage is unchanged. However, it will be required if you choose to enroll or increase your coverage at any time after your initial opportunity to enroll.
Special Considerations for short-term disability:
If you work in a state with state-mandated disability or paid medical leave benefits (“State Benefits”)1, you should carefully consider whether to enroll for this coverage. If you are eligible for State Benefits, you must apply if required by state law. If permitted, your STD benefit will be reduced by State Benefits or other government benefits that apply. Depending on your compensation, the amount of the State Benefit, and other factors, you may only receive the minimum weekly benefit. You should consider, based on your individual circumstances, whether you need additional coverage beyond the State Benefit.
Long Term Disability Insurance FAQs
Consider any expenses you may incur in the running of your household, including car payments, mortgage payments, groceries, childcare or tuition that would still need to be covered in the event of a disability.
Enrolling in a plan is not mandatory, but it is a good idea and can be a cost-effective way to help protect your income. Without disability insurance, you may need to use your savings or tap into other assets to cover your essential living expenses while you recover from an accident or illness.
Depending upon the amount of coverage you choose, payment will be made directly to you — not your employer, hospital, doctor or insurance company.
MetLife offers various ways to submit your claim based on your plan, including online, mail and phone options. Plus, you can track the status of your claim and submit claim updates online or on the MetLife US App. Search "MetLife" in the App Store or Google Play to download the app.
Special Considerations for short-term disability: If you work in a state with state-mandated disability or paid medical leave benefits (“State Benefits”)2, you should carefully consider whether to enroll for this coverage. If you are eligible for State Benefits, you must apply if required by state law. If permitted, your STD benefit will be reduced by State Benefits or other government benefits that apply. Depending on your compensation, the amount of the State Benefit, and other factors, you may only receive the minimum weekly benefit. You should consider, based on your individual circumstances, whether you need additional coverage beyond the State Benefit.
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Help Keep Your Income Coming In
Receive a portion of your pre-disability income if you’re unable to work.
Like most group disability insurance policies, MetLife policies contain certain exclusions, exceptions, waiting periods, reductions, limitations and terms for keeping them in force.
Please refer to the IBM Summary Plan Description for complete costs and details by visiting www.NetBenefits.com/IBM or call the IBM Benefits Center - Provided by Fidelity at 1-866-937-0720.
1 These jurisdictions include, but may not be limited to, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Washington (and Maryland as of 1/3/28).
These policies provide disability income insurance only. For policies issued in New York, they do NOT provide basic hospital, basic medical, or major medical insurance as defined by the New York State Insurance Department. The expected benefit ratio for these policies is at least 50%. This ratio is the portion of future premiums that MetLife expects to return as benefits when averaged over all people with the applicable policy.
MetLife Group Disability Income Insurance is issued by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, 200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166, under Policy Form GPNP23-2T DI.