Disability Insurance

NJEA Endorsed Disability Insurance Plan

Protecting Your Paycheck in Times of Disability

Like most school employees, staff members in the Paterson Public School system do not make payments into the State Disability plan. As a result, when long term injuries or illnesses strike and accumulated sick time is used up, staff can be left without income.

PruProtect and PruProtect Plus were designed especially for NJEA members. Both plans were designed around the benefits you already have. Best of all, these income protection plans put you in control of your disability coverage-you decide the best way to protect yourself. You choose the amount of coverage you need, when benefits begin, and how long they last.

You are eligible to enroll for coverage if you are an NJEA member and you work at least 15 hours per week. You can keep your coverage if you change districts, provided you notify us of the transfer within a certain period of time. Your coverage will begin on the first day of the month after collection of one full monthly deduction, provided you are actively at work. Monthly deductions will be collected for 10 months (based on the school year), but you will be covered for 12 months.

You can select monthly benefits up to a percentage of your salary. The benefit amount you select will be reduced by other income you receive due to your disability (excluding sick leave pay). Benefits will begin based on your plan's elimination period. An elimination period, sometimes referred to as a waiting period, is the time that must pass from the day you become disabled to the day the benefits can begin.

Individual Disability Insurance coverage replaces a portion of your salary if you become disabled and cannot work. Without it, you may have to spend your retirement savings, college funds, and other assets for everyday living expenses. A variety of unexpected medical problems can leave you unable to go to work for a period of time. If this happened to you, how would you pay your bills and support your family?

Review the sources of income available to you if you should become disabled.

• Check the disability provisions in your employee benefits plan. Is this coverage adequate?
• Build an emergency cash fund that can cover living expenses for at least six months.
• The Importance of Disability Insurance

Your chances of suffering a disability are greatest during your working years-significantly greater, in fact, than your risk of a premature death. According to a 2002 report by the Disability Insurance Resource Center, a 42-year-old has an almost 4 to 1 chance of becoming disabled for at least 90 days. Can you afford not to have an income for three to six months-or more?

To enroll for this important coverage. Contact Prudential at 800-727-3414 and an Enrollment Representative will be happy to assist you!