Definition of Disability

A. Medical Leave Benefit Definition of Disability

You are required to be disabled only from your own occupation. You are disabled from your own occupation if, as a result of physical disease, injury, pregnancy or mental disorder, you are unable to perform with reasonable continuity the material duties of your own occupation.

B. Disability Benefit Definition of Disability

You are disabled from your own occupation if, as a result of physical disease, injury, pregnancy or mental disorder:

1. You are unable to perform with reasonable continuity the material duties of your own occupation; and
2. You suffer a loss of at least 20% in your predisability earnings when working in your own occupation.

Applying for Benefits

To receive paid medical and disability benefits, you must file a claim with The Standard by calling 1-888-414-0377, a dedicated University of Minnesota customer service line, after two weeks of absence. Failure to file a claim with The Standard may result in a suspension of paid leave.

Commencement of Benefits

Medical leave benefits will commence with the first day of absence and may continue up to three calendar months. The period of three months is not extended by a partial work effort. Medical leave is paid by the department after your disability is certified by The Standard.

Long-term disability begins with the fourth month of partial or total disability and is paid through the University payroll system for the first year. Beginning with the second year of disability, benefits are paid monthly by The Standard.

In the event that your claim is not approved by The Standard, you will be considered on an unpaid leave of absence and you will be responsible for the full cost of your medical and dental coverage.

Termination of Benefits

If you are under the age of 63 at the onset of your disability, you are eligible to receive disability benefits up to your Social Security Normal Retirement Age (SSNRA), with the continued certification of your disability. Your normal retirement age is listed in the chart below:

Year of Birth	Normal Retirement Age
1937 and prior	65
1938	65 and 2 months
1939	65 and 4 months
1940	65 and 6 months
1941	65 and 8 months
1942	65 and 10 months
1943-54	66
1955	66 and 2 months
1956	66 and 4 months
1957	66 and 6 months
1958	66 and 8 months
1959	66 and 10 months
1960 and later	67

If you become disabled after age 63, the maximum number of months that you would receive disability benefits is:

Age at Onset	Maximum Benefit Period
63	To SSNRA, or 36 months, whichever is longer
64	To SSNRA, or 30 months, whichever is longer
65	24 months
66	21 months
67	18 months
68	15 months
69 or older	12 months

If you are working part-time, you will no longer be certified as disabled if your work earnings meet or exceed 80 percent of your predisability earnings.

Other Sources of Income

Your disability benefit may be reduced by benefits received from other sources that provide you with income while you are on a total or partial disability. Some of these sources include, but are not limited to: Social Security disability or retirement; Minnesota State Retirement System; Federal Civil Service Retirement; Workers' Compensation; and any other act, law, or benefit of like intent.

Disability benefits received from a group insurance plan not subsidized by the University or benefits received from an individual policy will not offset your Academic Disability Program benefit.

If you are working part-time during the first year of disability, the combination of your disability benefit and work earnings may not exceed 100 percent of your predisability earnings. After the first year, your disability benefit will be reduced by 50 percent of your work earnings.

Recurrence of a Disability

Successive periods of total or partial disability due to the same or related causes will be considered one continuous period of disability unless separated by a two-year period of full-time work in your regular occupation or profession.

If the interval between your previous return to work and your current onset date is less than two years, you will be eligible to reopen your previous claim and resume disability benefits immediately. You will not receive another medical leave if the current condition is the same as the previous claim.

Nonrenewal of Appointment

If your appointment is nonrenewed while you continue to be certified as totally disabled, your disability benefits continue under the program.