Disability Insurance Plan for Educators
CTA-endorsed Disability insurance from The Standard is designed especially for California educators. Here’s how it works:
- Replaces up to 75% of your daily income1 if you’re unable to work due to illness, injury, pregnancy or childbirth.2
- Starts paying benefits after you are out of work for 7 consecutive workdays3 — including a $25 per workday benefit on top of your fully-paid sick leave.
- Covers any preexisting conditions once you are enrolled and work for 10 consecutive workdays.
Participants in the CTA-endorsed Disability plan may also be eligible for additional Student Loan and Cancer Benefits from CTA while on an approved disability claim.
Watch this quick video about the CTA-endorsed Disability insurance plan:
Additional Benefits
- AD&D: includes $50,000 Accidental Death & Dismemberment coverage.
- Hospital Benefit: extra benefit of $35 per calendar day while you are confined to a hospital4 — with no benefit waiting period, paid in addition to any disability benefits.
- Education Benefit: assistance towards education costs for eligible dependents while you are out on disability.
- Childcare Benefit: assistance with childcare costs for eligible dependents for three years in the event you suffer an accidental death.
- Return to Work Assistance: Assistance with returning to work, including rehabilitation planning and ergonomic modifications for your work-site, subject to prior approval.
Maximum Benefit Period
The number of years of credited service you have under the California State Teachers Retirement System (CalSTRS) and/or the Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) will determine your maximum benefit period.
|
If you have more than 5 years of service |
You will receive benefits for up to two years following sick leave while you continue to be disabled. |
|
If you have less than 5 years of service |
After the second benefit year, educators receive 50% of regular monthly contract salary, less deductible income, to at least age 65. |
1 Daily income is based on your regular daily contract salary. Benefits will be reduced by deductible income. Examples of deductible income include: personal leave pay, severance pay, substitute differential pay, catastrophic/extraordinary leave bank, salary continuation, workers’ compensation, work earnings, social security, state disability, CalPERS/CalSTRS benefits.
2 For the first two benefit years.
3 Workdays means any Regular Day(s) of Required Attendance you are required to be actively at work based on the calendar dates of the school calendar and your employment contract in effect on the date you become disabled.
4 Note, the definition of hospital does not include nursing homes, convalescent homes or extended care facilities.
Your premium rate is based on your annual salary and the frequency of benefit deductions in your district.
Quickly calculate your Disability and Life Insurance Premium Amounts together.
Download the Premium Amounts for Educators flyer.
| Annual Contract Salary Ranges | Minimum Premium | Eleventhly Premium | Tenthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
|
$0 - $44,499 |
$19.14 |
$20.88 |
$22.97 |
|
$44,500 - $53,249 |
$23.02 |
$25.11 |
$27.63 |
|
$53,250 - $60,249 |
$27.20 |
$29.67 |
$32.65 |
|
$60,250 - $67,249 |
$30.75 |
$33.55 |
$36.89 |
|
$67,250 - $76,249 |
$34.19 |
$37.30 |
$41.03 |
|
$76,250 - $85,249 |
$38.36 |
$41.85 |
$46.03 |
|
$85,250 - $94,249 |
$42.63 |
$46.51 |
$51.16 |
|
$94,250 - $103,249 |
$46.91 |
$51.17 |
$56.29 |
|
$103,250 - $112,249 |
$51.18 |
$55.83 |
$61.42 |
|
$112,250 - $121,249 |
$55.46 |
$60.50 |
$66.55 |
|
$112,250 and over |
$59.73 |
$65.16 |
$71.68 |
Note: Frequency of required premium payments (monthly, etc.) is determined by your employer. While monthly, eleventhly and tenthly are common deduction frequencies, your district may deduct premiums on an alternative frequency.
When Can I Apply?
As a CTA member you can apply for coverage at any time by providing satisfactory proof of good health. In some circumstances, you may be eligible to apply without having to provide proof of good health, such as:
- Newly Hired Members
Newly hired educators who apply for coverage within 270 days of starting work. - Newly Eligible Members
Members who aren’t newly hired, but become eligible for coverage for the first time and who apply within 270 days of becoming newly eligible. For example, due to a job classification change that makes you newly eligible for CTA Membership and thus for coverage. - Members Who Change Districts
Members who have changed school districts and apply within 270 days of their date of hire have the opportunity to continue their existing coverage or they can apply for Disability Insurance under the new employment opportunity described above. - Family Change
Members who apply for coverage within 60 days following the date of a family status change, such as birth, adoption, marriage, divorce, loss of spousal employment, or other qualifying event.
In addition, there may be other opportunities for you to enroll in coverage, including chapter campaigns.
Ways to Apply
- Online: complete an online application and receive a confirmation email immediately.
- Mail/Fax: download a printable form, complete and mail or fax it to The Standard (address and fax number can be located at the top of the form).
- Email:1 scan and email your application to ctaservice@standard.com.
- Phone: call our dedicated CTA Customer Service Department at 800.522.0406 (TTY), Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Before applying for coverage, please make sure to review the Terms and Conditions.
1 Please note that email may not be a secure transmission unless you have the capability to encrypt your email when sent. Information once received by The Standard is protected.
