Long Term Disability
The need to be better prepared for life events that keep us out of work has become more important than ever before. Long term disability insurance may help provide a steady stream of income to help cover your bills and expenses when an injury or illness keeps you away from work.
Safeguard your salary with long term disability insurance
Life has changed, but the need to protect and provide for loved ones has not. More than ever, it’s important to help ensure that you and your family are prepared to meet essential living expenses should you become unable to work.
Help replace a portion of your income if you cannot work1
If you lost your ability to earn income, how would you pay for your bills and provide for your family? In the event of a disability, you need coverage that's quickly accessible and payments that help you to cover everyday expenses. Enrollment is simple but the benefits are significant.
- Long term disability (LTD) insurance is designed to provide you with continuing monthly income during an extended period of time while you are out of work due to an illness or accident.
- Benefit payments are made directly to you and you decide how to spend the money.
Did you know disability insurance and workers’ compensation are not the same thing? Workers’ compensation only applies if you are hurt at work. Disability insurance covers you when you’re unable to work because of illness or injury — whether suffered at work or not.
Here's how it works:
Long Term Disability Insurance
Long term disability insurance is available to replace 60% of your monthly earnings subject to the plans monthly maximum of $5,000.
If you are not currently enrolled, you may enroll by providing a statement of health. * More details are available in the plan summary.
The long term disability insurance program is a voluntary benefit in which you pay the entire premium.
Cost of coverage
Premiums for long term disability insurance is based your age. Premiums shown below are the monthly rate per $100 of covered monthly earnings.
| Under 25 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70-74 | 75+ |
| $0.033 | $0.066 | $0.129 | $0.196 | $0.271 | $0.366 |
$0.492 | $0.566 | $0.422 | $0.150 | $0.150 | $0.150 |
To determine the bi-weekly amount: Twelve-month employees multiply the Monthly Cost x 12/26; Eleven-month employees multiply the Monthly Cost x 12/24, Ten-month employees multiply the Monthly Cost x 12/22
Disability Insurance FAQs
Consider any expenses you may incur in the running of your household, including car payments, mortgage payments, groceries, child care, tuition and more, 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 an affordable way that may 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.
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 online or on the MetLife US App. Search "MetLife" on iTunes® app Store or Google Play to download the app.
As one of the nation’s leading providers of disability benefits,2 you can count on MetLife to provide you with caring, compassionate and accurate claims service, if and when you experience a disability.
Special Considerations
If you work in a state with state-mandated disability or paid medical leave benefits (“State Benefits”), you should carefully consider whether to enroll for this coverage. In California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Washington (and Connecticut starting 1/1/22, Oregon starting 1/1/23, and Colorado starting 1/1/24), if eligible, you must apply for State Benefits. 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. Please consider, based on your individual circumstances, whether you need additional coverage beyond the State Benefit.
1 Like most disability income insurance policies, MetLife’s policies contain certain exclusions, waiting periods, reductions, limitations and terms for keeping them in force. Ask your MetLife representative about costs and complete details. For policies issued in New York: These policies provide disability income insurance only. They do NOT provide basic hospital, basic medical or major medical insurance as defined by the New York State Department of Financial Services. 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.
* All applications for coverage are subject to review and approval by MetLife. If you choose to apply for increased coverage, the increase may be subject to underwriting. MetLife will review your information and evaluate your request for coverage based upon your answers to the health questions, MetLife’s underwriting rules and other information you authorize us to review. In certain cases, MetLife may request additional information to evaluate your request for coverage.
2 LIMRA, U.S. Workplace Disability Insurance Sales and In Force Survey, Year-End 2020.