Short-term disability plan comparison

Compare STD coverage details

Coverage Details	Unum: ASU plan effective Sept.1, 2014	MetLife: Arizona state plan effective until Dec. 31, 2025	The Hartford: Arizona state plan effective Jan. 1, 2026
Maximum covered salary	Option A: $55,714. Option B: $111,429. Option C: $148,571.	$70,000	$70,000
Weekly tax-free benefit	Pays 70% of your actual salary or the maximum covered salary of your chosen option, whichever is less, up to the maximum of the following: Option A – up to $750. Option B – up to $1500. Option C – up to $2000.	Pays 66⅔% of base pay, up to a maximum of $897.43. Reduced by the amount of any paid leave benefit received from ASU Payroll while you are collecting short-term disability benefits.	Pays 66⅔% of base pay, up to a maximum of $897.43. Reduced by the amount of any paid leave benefit received from ASU Payroll while you are collecting short-term disability benefits.
Group Life-Accidental Death and Dismemberment	$5,000 life plus $30,000 accidental death and dismemberment.	None	None
Coordination of Benefits	Benefits are coordinated with Compassionate Transfer of Leave. You can receive both Unum short-term disability benefit and ASU paid leave benefit.	Benefit payment is reduced by 100% of any paid leave benefit after the elimination period. As a result, you may receive only the $67.31 minimum benefit under the MetLife plan.	Benefit payment is reduced by 100% of any paid leave benefit after the elimination period. As a result, you may receive only the $67.31 minimum benefit under The Hartford plan.
Benefits start date	Begins on the first day if hospitalized for 24 hours or more, or outpatient surgery. 31st day if not hospitalized.	Begins on the first day if a disability is due to a non-work-related injury. Begins day 31 if due to illness or childbirth. If coverage is elected after the initial new hire or eligibility enrollment period and disability begins during the first 12 months of coverage, benefits start on day 61 if a disability is due to illness or pregnancy.	Begins on the first day if a disability is due to a non-work-related injury. Begins day 16 if due to illness or childbirth. If coverage is elected after the initial new hire or eligibility enrollment period and disability begins during the first 12 months of coverage, benefits start on day 31 if a disability is due to illness or pregnancy. Open Enrollment 2026: You have a one-time opportunity to enroll in STD coverage without an elimination period penalty.
Pregnancy benefits	C-section pays up to eight weeks. Normal birth pays up to six weeks. Read more about pre-existing conditions below.	C-section pays up to eight weeks. Normal birth pays up to six weeks.	C-section pays up to eight weeks. Normal birth pays up to six weeks.
Minimum weekly benefit	None.	$67.31	$67.31
Maximum weekly benefit	26 weeks.	Disability due to injury is 26 weeks. Disability due to illness is 18 weeks if benefits start on day 31 or 22 weeks if benefits start on day 61.	Disability due to injury is 26 weeks. Disability due to illness is 18 weeks if benefits start on day 16 or 22 weeks if benefits start on day 31.
Pre-existing condition exclusion	A pre-existing condition is not covered the first six months after the initial election or after the option level increase. Exception: Pregnancy is not considered a pre-existing condition. Can elect while pregnant and collect benefits when the baby is born. However, pregnancy complications are considered a pre-existing condition.	None	None
Recurring disability benefits	Periods of disability due to the same cause count as one period, unless separated by six months or more of full-time active work.	Periods of disability due to the same cause count as one period unless separated by 30 days or more.	Periods of disability due to the same cause count as one period unless separated by 30 days or more.
Return-to-work benefits	Benefits will stop if working in any capacity.	Partial benefits paid if working less than full time.	Partial benefits paid if working less than full time.
Premium waiver	Premiums waived while collecting benefits.	Premiums waived while collecting benefits.	Premiums waived while collecting benefits.
Premium cost	$0.77 per $100 of base pay in 2025. $0.695 per $100 of base pay in 2026.	$0.31 per $100 of base pay.	$0.25 per $100 of base pay.
Premium calculation examples	Annual salary or the maximum covered salary divided by $100 multiplied by $0.77 then divided by 26 equals your pay period deduction in 2025. Annual salary or the maximum covered salary divided by $100 multiplied by $0.695 then divided by 26 equals your pay period deduction in 2026.	Annual salary or the maximum covered salary divided by $100 multiplied by $.31, then divided by 26 equals your pay period deduction.	Annual salary or the maximum covered salary divided by $100 multiplied by $.25, then divided by 26 equals your pay period deduction.
Portability	Upon separation from employment, the life-add coverage is portable or convertible to an individual policy; however, the STD portion of the plan is not.	None	None