Short Term Disability
Short Term Disability (STD) insured by Aetna Life Insurance Company. Income protection for employees in employer-sponsored or voluntary (employee-paid) group plans.
Aetna Group Short Term Disability Insurance
Nearly 90% of disabilities aren’t work-related.1
Disabilities lasting a few weeks or longer are more common than most people realize and they can have a serious financial impact on an employee. Providing the financial security of Short Term Disability helps employers attract and retain experienced workers at an affordable cost.
| Policy Provisions | STD Plan |
| Group Size | 10 or more (standard) |
| Eligible Employee | 30+ hours per week, or as deemed by the employer and acceptable to WMC/Aetna |
| Eligibility Waiting Period | ¤ Effective date for current active employees ¤ First of the month participating employer’s specified service requirement for all others Evidence of insurability is required for all late enrollees. |
| Employer Premium Contribution | Non-contributory, contributory & voluntary options are available. |
| Benefit Percentage % of Basic Weekly Earnings2 |
50% 60% 66 2/3% |
| Maximum Weekly Benefit | Options to $1,500 (varies by group size & salaries of top enrollees) |
| Minimum Weekly Benefit | None (standard) Options – $25 or $50 per week |
| Elimination Period | Injury Benefits – 0, 7, 14 or 31 days Sickness Benefits – 7, 14 or 31 days |
| Benefit Duration | 13 or 26 weeks (standard) – Other options are available |
| Definition of Disability | Residual Disability (standard) – follows the elimination period, but a period of full disability does not apply while earning more than 20% but not more than 80% of pre-disability earnings. |
| Temporary Recovery | Return to work is allowed without needing to satisfy a new elimination period (15 days – standard). |
| Limitation for Occupational Disabilities | Non-occupational coverage only |
The benefits provided under the policy have exclusions, limitations, reductions of benefits, and terms under which the policy may be continued in force or discontinued.
Short term disability coverage does not cover any disability that: is due to intentionally self-inflicted injury (while sane or insane); results from commission of, or attempting to commit, a criminal act; results from driving an automobile while intoxicated (“Intoxicated” means: the blood alcohol level of the driver of the automobile meets or exceeds the level at which intoxication would be presumed under state law.); is due to war or any act of war (declared or not declared); is due to: insurrection; rebellion; or taking part in a riot or civil commotion; on any day during a period of disability that a person is confined in a penal or correctional institution for conviction of a criminal or other public offence: the person will not be deemed to be disabled; and no benefits will be payable.
WMC is Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce. WMC is the sponsor and policyholder for the WMC benefit plans. Short term disability plans are underwritten by Aetna Life Insurance Company. “Aetna” is the brand name also used for products and services provided by one or more of the Aetna group of subsidiary companies.
For cost and complete details of the coverage, call or write your independent agent, or WMC directly at (800) 236-5414.
Disability Awareness Questions
1 Injury Facts 2008, National Safety Council.
2 Basic weekly earnings means 1/52 of an employee’s annualized basic monthly earnings. Basic monthly earnings mean an employee’s monthly rate of pay from the participant employer, excluding overtime and other extra pay. Basic monthly earnings include commissions and/or bonuses which are averaged for the most recent 24 months.