Effective January 1, 2024, the University's Short-Term Disability Plan is available to University of Missouri System benefit-eligible staff and certain non-regular academic positions to provide replacement income in the event of a qualified medical disability. It is not available to retirees.
The plan is administered by MetLife. For plan providers or health care provider information, visit our plan contacts page.
Base Plan
The Short-Term Disability (STD) Base Plan is paid by the university, and eligible employees are automatically enrolled.
💠 Plan Features
- Covers up to 60% of eligible Annual Base Benefit Rate (ABBR)* in the event of qualified medical disability.
- Available for use after meeting the elimination period of seven consecutive calendar days.
- Employees must use available accrued paid time off to cover unpaid time associated with short-term disability benefits, unless otherwise approved.
☑ Eligibility
- Available to regular benefit-eligible administrative, service and support positions and certain non-regular academic employees as approved by the chancellor and president.
- Eligible employees are automatically enrolled in the Base Plan when they first become benefit eligible.
- Date of disability must be on or after January 1, 2024.
💲 Premiums
- $0
- The Base Plan is paid by the university.
Buy-Up Plan
The Short-Term Disability Buy-up Plan allows you to reach 100% income replacement for an additional premium by covering the remaining 40% of eligible earnings on top of the coverage provided by the Base Plan.
💠 Plan Features
- Covers 100% of Annual Base Benefit Rate (ABBR)* in the event of qualified medical disability.
- Available for use after meeting the elimination period of seven consecutive calendar days.
- Employees must use available leave to cover the elimination period.
☑ Eligibility
- Available to regular benefit-eligible administrative, service and support positions and certain non-regular academic employees as approved by the chancellor and president.
- A statement of health form (evidence of insurability) may be required. See "Opportunities to Elect and Statement of Health Requirements."
- Date of disability must be on or after January 1, 2024.
💲 Premiums
- $0.74 per $100 of monthly income
📋 Opportunities to Elect and Statement of Health Requirements
You may elect the Short-Term Disability Buy-Up Plan at initial enrollment without providing a Statement of Health form provided you submit your enrollment within 31 days of your date of hire or eligibility date.
During Annual Enrollment for the 2024 plan year, you will have a one-time opportunity to elect the Short-Term Disability Buy-Up Plan without completing a statement of health form (evidence of insurability). A Statement of Health form will be required if enrolling in the Buy-Up coverage at a later date.
Learn more about the statement of health information required for enrolling in this plan.
*Annual Base Benefit Rate (ABBR)
The Annual Base Benefit Rate (ABBR) includes total income before taxes. Your ABBR does not include:
- Bonuses
- Car, housing or moving allowances
- Employer contributions to a qualified deferred compensation plan (e.g., for retirement, such as the DC Plan or DC component of the Hybrid Plan)
- Income received from part-time, non-benefit eligible university employment
- Overtime pay or shift differential
- Pre-tax contributions to:
- A qualified deferred compensation plan
- Section 125 (cafeteria) plan
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
- Any other extra compensation or income received from sources other than the university.
Statement of Health Requirements (Evidence of Insurability)
During Annual Enrollment for the 2024 plan year, you will have a one-time opportunity to elect the Short-Term Disability Buy-Up Plan without completing a statement of health form. If you elect the Buy-Up Plan during a future Annual Enrollment period, you will be required to submit a Statement of Health for evidence of insurability. The Statement of Health form is only available online for a limited period of time after your application for coverage. Please complete it as soon as possible.
To access your customized form, login to myHR (myhr.umsystem.edu). Once logged in, click on the “myBenefits” tile, select “Statement of Health Form (MetLife)” from the left-hand menu and click the “Statement of Health” link to connect to MetLife.
If you have questions about your customized Statement of Health form, please contact MetLife customer service. See the plan contacts webpage for additional information.
* In the event of a difference between this webpage and the plan document or summary plan description, the plan document and plan description prevail.
Reviewed 2023-12-04
