Disability Insurance

Short-term Disability Insurance

The state is pleased to offer Short -Term Disability Insurance benefits to full-time state and higher education employees. Disability benefits are provided by MetLife. Call 855.700.8001 or go to MetLife State of Tennessee Employee page for more information.

Those who enroll will pay 100% of the premium with after-tax dollars. By paying with after-tax dollars, any benefits paid to you will result in a tax free benefit.

If you are unable to work due to illness or injury, disability insurance can help pay your most important expenses. These include:

• Mortgage or rent
• Car payments
• Food
• Child care/tuition
• Utilities

Short Term Disability Insurance replaces a portion of your income during a disability, which could last up to 26 weeks. It may be good for those who:

• Have little Annual or Sick Leave
• Take part in high-risk activities
• Do not have six-month emergency funds

You must use all of your Accrued Leave (Sick, Annual and Compensatory time) before your disability payments begin.

The State Group Insurance 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.-10 p.m., Central time. Or visit, MetLife State of Tennessee Employee page.

Long-term Disability (LTD) Insurance

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. 

• Employees will be automatically enrolled in long-term disability option 3, and the state will pay 100% of the premiums.
  • 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.
• Employees will be automatically enrolled into 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 won’t have to answer medical questions.
• Employees cannot be waived because it is 100% employer paid.
• Employees, long-term disability coverage options 1, 2 and 4 are also available, but employees are responsible for 100% of the premium.
• 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. Employees will automatically be enrolled in long-term disability option 3 when they return to work.
• 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 eligible newly hired employees, you may choose to enroll in options 1, 2, 3 or 4 during your first 30 days of becoming eligible for enrollment without answering medical questions. After 30 days, application for enrollment during the annual enrollment period 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 insurability. Premiums will be paid by the employees.