Disability Benefits

Your disability benefits depend on the Virginia Retirement System Plan in which you're enrolled:

Plan 1 and Plan 2

Core limited-term disability coverage is provided at no cost to regular employees working a minimum of 30 hours per week who are enrolled in the Virginia Retirement System in either Plan 1 or Plan 2. Core short-term disability (STD) provides a benefit of 60% of monthly salary, for a maximum of 180 days, after a 14-day elimination period. Core long-term disability (LTD) provides a monthly benefit of 60% of monthly salary, for a maximum of 12 months, after a 180-day elimination period.

Hybrid Plan 3

Most new regular employees hired on or after January 1, 2014 working a minimum of 30 hours per week are enrolled in Hybrid Plan 3. The minimum benefit amount for core short-term disability (STD) under Hybrid Plan 3 is 60% of monthly salary, for a maximum of 125 days, after a 7 day elimination period. Core long-term disability (LTD) under Hybrid Plan 3 provides a monthly benefit of 60% of monthly salary, until VRS Service Retirement, after a 125-work day elimination period. The benefit increases based on the below chart after 60 months of continuous participation in the plan.

•  Core long-term disability (LTD) under Hybrid Plan 3 provides a monthly benefit of 60% of monthly salary, until Social Security Normal Retirement Age (SSNRA), after a 125-work day elimination period.
  Long Term Disability Buy-Up Plan

An LTD buy-up plan is also available to eligible employees for purchase. Under the buy-up plan, benefits are extended up to social security normal retirement age with an increased monthly maximum benefit. This plan is administered by The Standard. You can estimate your biweekly premium by using the LTD Buy Up calculation (PDF). 

Hazardous Duty Employees

Employees who are covered by enhanced benefits for hazardous duty employees are not eligible for the Hybrid Plan.