Disability Insurance
Disability insurance replaces a portion of your income in the case of illness or injury. NAU offers employees both Short-Term and Long-Term Disability coverage.
Short-Term vs Long-Term Disability
- Short Term Disability is optional, and directly pays you a portion of your income for up to 6 months after a 30-day waiting period.
- Long Term Disability is part of your Primary Retirement benefit. It directly pays you a portion of your income after a six-month waiting period.
Short Term Disability
NAU offers you a choice of two STD plans that have different plan features and costs. You pay the entire premium with after-tax dollars, so benefits are tax-free. IMPORTANT: Work related illness or injury is not covered.
NAU – Unum Accordion Open
Costs more but provides a larger benefit.
- Replaces up to 70% of your weekly covered pay for up to 6 months, including any waiting period.
- Choose from 3 options with different weekly maximums:
- Option A: $750 maximum weekly benefit based on a maximum covered salary of $55,714.
- Option B – $1,000 maximum weekly benefit based on a maximum covered salary of $111,429.
- Option C – $1,500 maximum weekly benefit based on a maximum covered salary of $148,571.
- 30 day waiting period before benefit begins.
- Waiting period waived for out-patient surgery or if hospitalized for more than 24 hours.
- Pre-existing condition exclusion if deemed disabled 90 days prior to when coverage begins. Pregnancy is not considered a pre-existing condition.
- In addition to your Unum benefit payments, you can use paid time off including sick, vacation and compensatory time.
- Includes $5,000 of term life and $30,000 of AD&D coverage
State of AZ – MetLife Accordion Closed
Costs less, but the benefit is smaller.
- Replaces up to 66.66% of your weekly covered pay for up to 6 months, including any waiting period.
- Maximum weekly benefit of $897.43
- 30 day waiting period before benefit begins.
- Waiting period increased to 60 days if elected after initial enrollment period.
- Waiting period is waived for injury.
- Provides a working while disabled benefits.
- Before your benefit payments from Met Life begin, you must first use all accrued paid time including sick, vacation and compensatory time.
Long Term Disability (LTD)
Your primary retirement plan determines your LTD program.
Arizona State Retirement System Participants Accordion Open
- Administered by Broadspire Services.
- Both you and NAU pay for the coverage. Your premium is paid with after-tax dollars, so a portion of the benefit is not taxed.
- Replaces up to 66 2/3% of your earnings.
- 6-month waiting period before benefit payments begin.
- Duration of the benefit determined by Broadspire and is based on supporting medical documentation.
ORP & PSPRS Participants Accordion Closed
- Provided through MetLife.
- NAU pays the premium so the entire benefits are taxable.
- Replaces up to 66 2/3% of your annual salary.
- Maximum benefit of $10,000 a month.
- 6-month waiting period before benefit payments begin.
- Duration of the benefit determined by MetLife base and is based on supporting medical documentation.
Still have questions??
Contact the Benefits Team at nauhrbenefits@nau.edu or call (928) 523-2223.