Employees who leave SUNY service before vesting are eligible for a refund of their contributions. All employees are covered by Social Security. Taxes are withheld from salary up to the Social Security base as determined each calendar year. The one year waiting period is waived when it is verified that, within three months prior to appointment with State University, the previous employer covered the employee under a similar group disability insurance program. In either case, employees are automatically notified as their coverage becomes effective.
Benefits begin after six months of total disability.
Guaranteed income is inclusive of Social Security and retirement system benefits, if applicable. Benefits are based on the monthly earnings at the time the disability was incurred. The individual recovers sufficiently to return to gainful employment, the individual reaches age 65, or the individual dies. A tax-deferred annuity program is available to all University employees. Under the contract with TIAA-CREF, employees may elect to set aside a portion of their salaries before taxes as a retirement investment.