Disability Insurance

The state offers short-term disability and long-term disability insurance to full-time central state government, state higher education and state offline employees through MetLife.

Disability insurance helps cover your living expenses by protecting a portion of your pre-disability income lost due to sickness, pregnancy or as a direct result of accidental injury. All sick leave, annual leave and comp time must be used before benefits are payable.   

The following is 2024 disability benefits information. Find 2023 disability insurance coverage information in the 2023 New Hire Guide – State and Higher Education.

Members pay the full monthly premium for short-term disability insurance coverage. The state pays the full monthly premium for long-term disability insurance option 3 for eligible central state government and state higher education employees. Eligible central state government and state higher education employees pay the full monthly premium for long-term disability insurance options 1, 2 and 4. State offline employees should consult with their agency benefits coordinator about premiums.

For central state government and state higher education employees, member paid premiums adjust as of October 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 for long-term disability options 1, 2 or 4.

For state offline employees, premiums adjust as of October 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 for long term disability options 1, 2, 3 or 4.

• For a helpful list of responses to frequently asked questions, you can view this page: State Disability FAQ

Short-Term Disability: Replaces a portion of your income during a disability, which could last up to 26 weeks. Two coverage options are available for you to voluntarily select if desired. Employees pay the full monthly premium if enrollment is selected. Click here to see premium rates.

• During Annual Enrollment, you can apply for short-term disability coverage or apply to change between options, if already enrolled. You may change from Option A to Option B, if already enrolled, without answering medical questions on a Statement of Health form. Pick the benefit in Edison you want under STD.
• Action Required: MetLife will mail you a Statement of Health form with medical questions if you are applying for short-term disability coverage or a change in enrollment from Option B to Option A. The form will also be posted online at metlife.com/StateOfTN. Complete the form and submit it via email or mail.
  • Your application is subject to review and approval by MetLife based on underwriting rules. After receiving your form, MetLife may need more information from you.
• Find answers to frequently asked questions here, including information about disability due to pregnancy.

Long-Term Disability: Replaces a portion of your income during a disability that is expected to last longer than 90-180 days. Four coverage options are available. Click here to calculate rates.

• New in 2024! Eligible central state government and state higher education employees will be automatically enrolled in long-term disability option 3, and the state will pay 100% of the premiums. This does not apply to employees of state offline agencies.
• Employees who use this benefit will receive 63% of their monthly salary*, up to $10,000 per month, following a 90-day waiting period.
  • *The maximum covered monthly salary is $15,873.02.
• All eligible central state government and state higher education employees will automatically be defaulted into long-term disability option 3 in Edison for coverage effective on Jan. 1, 2024. This is guaranteed issue coverage, and employees won’t have to answer medical questions.
• The coverage for central state government and state higher education employees cannot be waived because it is 100% employer paid.
• For central state government and state higher education employees, long-term disability coverage options 1, 2 and 4 are also available, but employees are responsible for 100% of the premium.
• For central state government and state higher education employees, benefits received from long-term disability 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 or 4 are not taxable income because premium payments are deducted post tax and paid by the employee.
• Employees off work on a long-term disability claim as of Dec. 31, 2023, will continue under that claim. Central state government and state higher education employees will automatically be enrolled in long-term disability option 3 when they return to work.
• Time enrolled in state or higher education long-term disability plans prior to Jan.1, 2024 will count toward the pre-existing exclusion of the long-term disability option 3 provided to employees on Jan. 1, 2024.
• For state offline employees, you may choose to enroll in options 1, 2, 3 or 4, if not already enrolled, or you may switch to a different option if already enrolled. Premiums will be paid by the employees.

 Why is Having Disability Insurance Important?

If you are unable to work due to sickness, pregnancy or as a direct result of accidental injury, disability insurance can help you pay your most important expenses. These include:

• Mortgage or rent
• Car payments
• Food
• Child care
• Tuition
• Utilities

Important Information if You’re Thinking About Applying to Enroll in Coverage:

• You must use all your accrued leave (sick, annual and compensatory time) before your disability payments begin.
• Benefits payable during the benefit period may be reduced by other sources of income, such as worker's compensation, unemployment insurance and sick leave bank. See the certificate of coverage for a comprehensive list of other sources of income which may reduce the short-term and/or long-term disability benefit.

The state group insurance long-term and short-term disability insurance plans are managed by MetLife. Please call the MetLife state of Tennessee dedicated customer service line with questions: 855.700.8001, Mon.-Fri., 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., CT, or visit, https://www.metlife.com/stateoftn/