2024 Open Enrollment Period: October 9 - 27, 2023
Disability Insurance Options
GW offers disability insurance that can provide you with income replacement in the event that you cannot work due to illness or disability.
Short-Term Disability (STD) Insurance
The STD Program provides you with income replacement if you are unable to work due to a non-occupational disability after a defined period of time, called the benefits elimination period. The STD benefit will replace up to a percentage of your benefits salary as outlined in the group policy or program document.
Staff |
Eligible For |
Benefit |
Benefit Elimination Period |
Paid By |
Regular Part-Time Staff and Residents* (regardless of benefits eligible years of service) and Full-Time Staff with less than two years of benefits eligible service |
Voluntary Short-Term Disability (must elect) |
60% of benefits salary up to $3,000 per week and up to 166 days |
14 days |
Employee |
Full-Time Staff with more than two but less than five years of benefits eligible service |
50% income replacement Short-Term Disability Plan (automatically enrolled) |
50% of benefits salary up to 166 days |
14 days |
GW |
Full-Time Staff with five or more years of benefits eligible service |
100% income replacement Short-Term Disability Plan (automatically enrolled) |
100% of benefits salary up to 166 days |
14 days |
GW |
* Residents: Please refer to your Resident manual for additional paid disability program offerings.
If you are not currently enrolled in Voluntary Short-Term Disability and are electing coverage for the first time during Open Enrollment, you will be required to provide Evidence of Insurability (EOI). Coverage is dependent upon Lincoln Financial Group approving your EOI.
For information, please visit hr.gwu.edu/benefits.
Basic LTD
All full-time faculty and staff receive basic LTD insurance after one year of employment (pre-existing conditions apply).
- Basic coverage provides you with 60 percent of your monthly benefits salary, up to a maximum of $10,000 per month, after 180 days of disability.
- Your benefit may be reduced if you receive Social Security or other income supplements while you are disabled.
- The maximum duration of your benefit is determined by your age when you start receiving benefits.
- If you have been on LTD for more than two years, you will be considered disabled if you are unable to perform any gainful occupation for which you are reasonably fitted by education, training or experience.
LTD Buy-Up Option
As a full-time faculty or staff member, you have the option to elect a higher level of LTD coverage, known as the "Buy-Up" option.
- If you elect this option, your coverage provides you with 66 2/3 percent of your monthly benefits salary, up to a maximum of $12,000 per month, after 180 days of disability.
Review 2024 contribution rates for Short-Term Disability and Long-Term Disability.