Disability Insurance

Short-term disability insurance may be good for those who:

• Have little annual or sick leave.
• Take part in high-risk activities.
• Don’t have six months of emergency funds.

In 2027, one STD plan will be available. The STD plan replaces 60% of your income for up to 13 weeks during an approved disability and has a waiting period of 14 days. Employees pay the full monthly premium if they choose to enroll.

• If you are currently enrolled in STD options A or B, you’ll automatically move to the 2027 STD plan unless you cancel this coverage.
• Employees not enrolled may apply during Annual Enrollment by answering health questions or enroll as new hires without answering health questions if selected within 30 days of initial eligibility.

For 2026, two STD coverage options are available. STD replaces a portion of your income during a disability, which could last up to 26 weeks.

1. Option A: Up to 60% of your predisability salary, 14-day waiting period
2. Option B: Up to 60% of your predisability salary, 30-day waiting period

Enroll in STD

• Pick the benefit in Edison under STD at: edison.tn.gov
• Answers to medical questions will not be required if you enroll within 30 days of initial eligibility.
• After 30 days, application for enrollment during Annual Enrollment or other authorized time period will require completion of a MetLife Statement of Health form, and your application will be subject to review and approval by MetLife based on their underwriting rules for evidence of insurability.

In 2027, one LTD plan will be offered, and all eligible employees will be automatically enrolled. LTD replaces a portion of your income during a disability that is expected to last more than 90 days.

• The state pays 100% of the LTD plan premiums for state government and higher education employees.
• All current employees enrolled in LTD who are not currently on an approved disability claim will move to the 2027 LTD plan on Jan. 1, 2027.
• Approved benefits pay 63% of your covered monthly salary, up to $10,000 per month after a 90-day waiting period.
• The maximum covered monthly salary is $15,873.02 per month.
• Coverage is guaranteed issue and does not require medical questions.
• Coverage cannot be waived because it is 100% employer paid.
• The gross base annual salary you make on Sept. 1 of each calendar year determines the benefit you are eligible for beginning Oct. 1 of each calendar year.

In 2026, the state pays 100% of the monthly premium for LTD insurance option 3.

Four coverage options are available for you to voluntarily select:

Option 3: Up to 63% of your predisability salary, 90-day waiting period

Option 1: Up to 60% of your predisability salary, 90-day waiting period
Option 2: Up to 60% of your predisability salary, 180-day waiting period
Option 4: Up to 63% of your predisability salary, 180-day waiting period

Enroll in LTD

Eligible state government and higher education employees are automatically enrolled in long-term disability option 3 in Edison for coverage effective on the first day of the month following the completion of one full calendar month of employment. This is guaranteed-issue coverage, and employees don’t have to answer medical questions

• The state pays 100% of the premiums for eligible  state government and  higher education employees enrolled in LTD option 3.
• Employees who use this benefit receive 63% of their covered monthly salary, up to $10,000 per month, following a 90-day waiting period. The maximum covered monthly salary is $15,873.02. 
• This is guaranteed-issue coverage and  state and higher education employees don’t have to answer medical questions.
•  State government and  higher education employees cannot waive coverage because it is 100% employer-paid.
• For  state government and  higher education employees, benefits received from LTD option 3 are considered taxable income and will appear on your W-2 because the premiums are paid by your employer. (Benefits received from short-term disability or long-term disability options 1, 2 and 4 are not taxable income because premium payments are deducted post tax and paid by the employee.)
• For  state government and  higher education employees, LTD coverage options 1, 2 and 4 are also available, but employees are responsible for 100% of the premium.

You can find all disability insurance premiums on the Premiums webpage under Disability premiums – State Plan Only.

STD Premiums

• Members pay the full monthly premium for short-term disability insurance coverage.
• STD insurance premiums adjust as of Oct. 1 if your salary is different from the prior Sept. 1.

2027 LTD premiums

The state pays 100% of the LTD plan premiums for eligible state government and higher education employees.

2026 LTD premiums

• Eligible state government and higher education employees will pay the full monthly premium if they choose to enroll in long-term disability insurance options 1, 2 or 4.
  • The state pays 100% of the monthly premium for long-term disability insurance option 3 for eligible state government and higher education employees. 
• For state government and higher education employees, member-paid premiums for long-term disability options 1, 2 and 4 adjust as of Oct. 1 each year if your salary is greater on Sept. 1 compared to the prior Sept. 1., or if you move into a higher age bracket.

Visit the Publications webpage. Scroll down to Disability Insurance and click on the arrow to review the MetLife Disability Claims Process Overview for State.

Short-term Disability Exclusions

Long-term Disability Exclusions

Additional resources to help you better understand your STD and LTD benefits, as well as premiums, can be found on the Publications and Premiums webpages.

NOTE:  A complete description of the benefits, provisions, conditions, limitations and exclusions for the MetLife disability plans will be included in their respective certificates of coverage. If any discrepancies exist between the information listed above and the certificates of coverage, the certificates of coverage will govern. We recommend you review these documents. Find them on the Publications webpage under Disability Insurance.