Disability Page

CTA-endorsed Disability Insurance Overview

Members of California Teachers Association (CTA) get access to lots of great benefits like discounts on travel and entertainment, access to financial services and the opportunity to protect your income with CTA-endorsed Disability insurance from The Standard. 

Disability insurance replaces a portion of your income when an illness, injury, pregnancy or childbirth keeps you out of work for an extended period of time.

Did You Know?

• More than 25% of today’s 20-year-olds will become disabled during their career.³
• 40% of U.S. adults don't have enough savings to cover three months of living expenses.⁴

That’s where Disability insurance can help. Disability insurance is a benefit paid directly to you when you're not able to work because of illness, injuries, pregnancy or childbirth. It can be used to pay expenses that medical insurance doesn’t cover – like rent or mortgage, utilities, groceries, child care or other bills. It can be helpful to think about it this way: health insurance pays your doctor, while disability insurance pays you.

CTA-endorsed Disability Insurance Highlights

CTA-endorsed Disability insurance from The Standard is designed especially for California educators. Here’s how it works:

• Replaces up to 80% of your daily income¹ if you’re unable to work due to sickness, injury, pregnancy or childbirth.
• Starts paying benefits after you are out of work for 7 consecutive workdays⁵ — including a $25 per workday benefit on top of your fully-paid sick leave.
• Benefits are paid directly to you and can be used to pay for things health insurance doesn’t cover — your rent or mortgage, car payments, student loans, utilities, groceries, child care, etc.

Additional Benefits at No Extra Cost:

With CTA-endorsed Disability insurance, you may be eligible for additional benefits paid on top of disability benefits from The Standard. This means extra cash in your pocket if your approved claim qualifies for these benefits:

NEW! Summer Benefit²
$500 per week (maximum of $4,500) during the months of June and July for eligible members who become or continue to be Disabled with a Disability date on or after September 1, 2022.

Student Loan Benefit
Active CTA members approved for a disability claim under the CTA-endorsed Disability insurance plan with an active student loan may be eligible for an additional benefit of up to $400 a month (for a maximum of $2,400, not to exceed the balance of the student loan).

Cancer Benefit
Active CTA members approved for a disability claim due to cancer under the
CTA-endorsed Disability insurance plan may be eligible for an additional benefit of up to $400 a month (for a maximum of $2,400).

As an active CTA member, you can apply for CTA-endorsed Disability insurance at any time – no need to wait for an open enrollment opportunity. Get started by completing our short Online Application. You may also need to compleate a Medical Health Statement for proof of good health. Our team will let you know if you do once we review your application. 

1 Daily income is based on your regular daily contract salary. Benefits will be reduced by deductible income. Examples of deductible income include: personal leave pay, severance pay, substitute differential pay, catastrophic/extraordinary leave bank, salary continuation, workers’ compensation,
work earnings, social security, state disability and CalPERS/CalSTRS benefits.

2 Summer Benefit is offered by CTA to eligible members who meet the Definition of Disability with a Disability date on or after 9/1/2022 who meet additional specific criteria. Summer Benefit is only payable during the calendar months of June and July, for up to two Benefit Years for each instance of qualifying Disability. Summer Benefit is not provided under the Voluntary Disability insurance policy. CTA provides this benefit at no extra cost and The Standard acts only as the claims administrator of this benefit.

3 Social Security Administration, Disability and Death Probability Tables for Insured Workers Born in 2001, Report as of November 2021. www.ssa.gov/oact/NOTES/ran6/index.html

4 Report on the Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households in 2021 - May 2022. www.federalreserve.gov/publications/report-economic-well-being-us-households.htm

5 Workdays means any Regular Day(s) of Required Attendance you are required to be actively at work based on the calendar dates of the school calendar and your employment contract in effect on the date you become disabled.

For costs and further details of the coverage offered by Standard Insurance Company, including the exclusions, any reductions, benefit waiting periods or limitations and terms under which the policy may be continued in force, please view the sample Disability Insurance Certificate and Summary Plan Description or contact Standard Insurance Company at 800.522.0406.

Standard Insurance Company, 1100 SW Sixth Avenue, Portland, OR 97204    GP190-LTD/S399/CTA.3

Do I really need Disability insurance?
If you're unable to work due to an injury, illness (including mental health conditions and substance abuse), pregnancy or childbirth - ask yourself how long you could go without your paycheck. Where health insurance pays your doctor - disability benefits are paid directly to you. You can use them for any expenses including rent/mortgage, groceries, utilities, etc.

Want to learn more? Watch this short video.

Take a few minutes to protect your paycheck.

Note: If you are considering switching your disability insurance coverage from another carrier to the CTA-endorsed plan, be sure you understand any differences between the plans' terms, exclusions and benefits and how they could apply to your personal situation.

1 Based on the claims decisions data developed by The Standard for a period of 9/1/18 -8/30/21.

2 Report on the Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households in 2021 - May 2022. www.federalreserve.gov/publications/report-economic-well-being-us-households.htm

For costs and further details of the coverage offered by Standard Insurance Company, including the exclusions, any reductions, Benefit Waiting Periods or limitations and terms under which the policy may be continued in force, please view the sample Disability Insurance Certificate and Summary Plan Description for educators

GP190-LTD/S399/CTA.1

Disability Insurance Premium Amounts Effective July 1, 2023

Disability Insurance Premium Amounts Prior to July 1, 2023 

1 How premiums are deducted (monthly, etc.) is determined by your employer.

For costs and further details of the coverage offered by Standard Insurance Company, including the exclusions, any reductions, benefit waiting periods or limitations and terms under which the policy may be continued in force, please view the sample Disability Insurance Certificate and Summary Plan Description or contact Standard Insurance Company at 800.522.0406.

Standard Insurance Company, 1100 SW Sixth Avenue, Portland, OR 97204

GP190-LTD/S399/CTA.3   

Rate Reduction Frequently Asked Questions

Q: If I enrolled in coverage prior to July 1, 2023, will I receive the new rates?
A: Yes. All members currently insured in CTA-endorsed Voluntary Disability insurance will receive the new rates based on their salary effective July 1, 2023.

Q: Are the new rates only for CTA members enrolling in coverage after July 1, 2023?
A: No. The new rates are for anyone currently enrolled in coverage and for anyone who enrolls in coverage now or after July 1, 2023. The new rates takes effect July 1, 2023.

Q: What action do I need to take to get the lower rate?
A: Nothing! Your first paycheck after July 1, 2023 should include your new rate. If you’re individually billed, your bill will reflect the new rate on your August bill (for July coverage).  

Q: Who do I contact if my rate hasn't changed after my first paycheck after July 1, 2023?
A: Please contact your district payroll department if you don’t see your new rate. If you’re individually billed, please contact The Standard at 800.522.0406, Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Q: How will my district know to change my rate?
A: The Standard will work directly with your district to make the needed changes. It's a good idea to check your paystub on the first paycheck after July 1, 2023, to make sure your rate has been reduced.

Q: Will my rate go up next year?
A: This is the first rate change to the CTA-endorsed Voluntary Disability Plan in fifteen years. There are no additional changes planned.  

Q: Am I eligible for CTA-endorsed Disability insurance?
A: Over time, employment situations change in ways that impact your eligibility for coverage (for example, your hours, schedule or role changed since you enrolled). Check to make sure you still meet the eligibility requirements. This will help ensure your coverage isn’t at risk when you may need it.

Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for coverage, you must be an active employee who:

• Has an annual contract with your employer, or the equivalent of an annual contract, as agreed to by The Standard and CTA;
• Is a member in good standing of CTA;
• Is a citizen or resident of the United States or Canada;
• Is scheduled to work an average of at least 15 hours a week over a four-week period, or during your period of employment if less than four weeks.

Student members of CTA, non-members of CTA, retired CTA members and full-time members of the armed forces of any country are not eligible for coverage.

If you’re unsure if you meet the eligibility requirements, please call us at 800.522.0406, Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. or send us a message.

Q: What if I have more questions?
A: Call us at 800.522.0406, Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. or send us a message.

For costs and further details of the coverage offered by Standard Insurance Company, including the exclusions, any reductions, benefit waiting periods or limitations and terms under which the policy may be continued in force, please view the sample Disability Insurance Certificate and Summary Plan Description or contact Standard Insurance Company at 800.522.0406.

Standard Insurance Company, 1100 SW Sixth Avenue, Portland, OR 97204

GP190-LTD/S399/CTA.3