Disability Income Plan of North Carolina (DIPNC)
The Disability Income Plan of North Carolina (DIPNC) is available, at no cost, to all full-time permanent employees participating in either the Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System (TSERS) or the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) upon completion of certain length-of-service requirements. The plan is divided into Short Term and Long Term Disability benefits.
To be eligible for Short Term Disability, the employee must have at least one year of contributing membership in either TSERS or the ORP, earned within 36 months prior to the onset of the disability. The monthly short-term benefit has a 60-day waiting period and is equal to 50% of 1/12 of the employee’s annual base rate of compensation, up to a maximum of $3,000 per month for 12 months (may be extended).
Long Term Disability is available to the employee who has at least five years of contributing membership in either TSERS or the ORP, earned within 96 months prior to the end of the Short Term Disability period. Prior to the termination of short-term benefits, the eligible employee may apply for long-term benefits. The monthly long-term benefit is equal to 65% of 1/12 of the employee’s annual base rate of compensation, to a maximum of $3,900 per month.
These benefits would coordinate with any additional benefits received from Social Security or Workers’ Compensation. For additional information, please contact Human Resources at ext. 5009.
Liberty Mutual
This supplemental long-term disability insurance, offered by Liberty Mutual, was designed to provide coverage for those employees who are not yet eligible for the State’s plan, or who wish to supplement the State’s disability benefits. The plan is available, at a nominal cost, only to employees who are participating in TSERS.
After a 90-day waiting period, an eligible employee may receive a benefit equal to 66-2/3% of their monthly salary up to a maximum monthly benefit of $10,000. New employees may enroll within sixty days without completing a medical questionnaire.
This plan coordinates with benefits received from Social Security, Workers’ Compensation, and DIPNC (once the employee becomes eligible for the State’s short- and/or long-term benefits).
The Standard Long Term Disability Insurance Plan
This supplemental long-term disability insurance plan, offered at a nominal cost by The Standard, is available only to participants in the Optional Retirement Program. Designed to help fill the gaps left by the State’s plan, this program replaces up to 66-2/3% of the employee’s monthly wage base up to a maximum of $15,000 per month.
In addition, the plan protects the employee’s retirement by providing a contribution equal to the monthly employee and employer retirement. New employees may enroll within sixty (60) days without completing a medical questionnaire.
This plan coordinates with benefits received from Social Security, Workers’ Compensation, and DIPNC (once the employee becomes eligible for the State’s short- and/or long-term benefits).