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Overview

The loss of income due to illness or injury can cause serious financial hardship for your family. Disability insurance replaces a portion of your income to help you continue paying your bills and meeting your financial obligations during this difficult time. Short-term disability and basic long-term disability are provided automatically by DSM at no cost to you — enrollment is not required.

Short-Term Disability Insurance (STD)

  • Coverage begins after 5 days of disability. Paid Time Off (PTO) must be used for the first 5 days.
  • The benefit covers 100% of your salary up to 13 weeks and the next 13 weeks are paid at 70%.
  • If you have been with DSM for three months, but have less than one year of service, the first four weeks are paid at 100% and the next 22 weeks are paid at 60%.

Long-Term Disability Insurance (LTD)

  • Pays benefits after 180 days of disability
  • LTD core coverage replaces 60% of your monthly base pay up to a maximum of $10,000 per month.

LTD Buy-Up

  • You can purchase additional coverage that replaces additional base pay, for a total of 70% of your monthly base pay up to a maximum benefit of $15,000 a month.
LTD Pre-Existing Conditions Limitation

You will not be eligible for LTD benefits for a pre-existing condition if you received medical treatment, consultation, care or services, took a prescribed medication, or followed treatment recommendations for the three-month period just before your coverage under the LTD plan becomes effective. Likewise, you will not be eligible for LTD benefits for a pre-existing condition if you had symptoms for which an ordinarily prudent person would have consulted a health care provider in the three months before your coverage under the LTD plan becomes effective. The pre-existing limitation applies if you have not been covered by Core or Buy-up LTD for at least 12 months.

If you become disabled, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance. To learn more about how to apply, visit the Social Security website, or you can call the toll-free number: 1-800-772-1213. You should apply for benefits as soon as you become disabled.