Short-term disability
Short-term benefits can bridge the early weeks or months of a covered disability after the waiting period.
Employee income protection
Help protect the paycheck your team depends on.
We compare short- and long-term disability benefits by income replacement, waiting period, duration, definitions, and tax treatment.
What this covers
Income protection when work has to stop.
The right policy starts with the details of how the organization works and what it needs to protect.
Long-term disability
Long-term coverage is designed for extended income interruption and depends heavily on benefit duration and policy definitions.
What income is covered
Salary, bonus, commission, benefit caps, and who pays the premium all affect the employee’s real replacement income.
Typically included
What a useful review should include.
We compare the parts together so a lower price does not hide a larger gap.
Benefit percentageMonthly maximumWaiting periodBenefit durationDefinition of disabilityCovered compensationOffsetsReturn-to-work provisionsNot sure? Ask us
Where policies fall short
Where coverage can fall short.
Most problems begin with an assumption that was never checked against the policy.
A cap below key salaries
A stated percentage may replace far less income once the plan’s monthly maximum is applied.
Bonus and commission excluded
Employees whose income extends beyond base salary may have a larger gap than the headline percentage suggests.
Tax treatment never explained
Who pays the premium can affect the taxation of benefits. Employers should review plan design with their tax advisor.
Common questions
Questions clients ask first.
Straight answers before a decision is made.
What is the difference between short- and long-term disability?
They cover different periods. Short-term benefits address an earlier interruption; long-term benefits begin later and may continue much longer.
Does workers’ compensation replace disability coverage?
No. Workers’ compensation focuses on work-related injuries and illness; disability benefits may address covered conditions outside work.
Can employees add individual coverage?
Yes. An individual policy may help cover income or features the group plan does not fully protect.
Our review
What we review with you.
Employee earnings
Monthly maximum
Waiting period
Benefit duration
Definition of disability
Bonus and commission
Premium payer
Enrollment communication
Let’s review group disability benefits together.
Bring the current plan or policy. We will explain what it does, identify gaps, and compare the options that fit.