This will be the last opportunity this year for members to get protected. The last date for enrollment is Sept. 28 for an Oct. 1, 2023, effective date. Coverage highlights are detailed below:
SMART-TD VLTD
Protects members’ income if they cannot work due to injury, illness or surgery.
Tax-free benefits with no medical exams/questions required to enroll.
Up to $5,000 of monthly benefits for up to five years.
Benefits start paying after the SMART VSTD stops — 238 days for rail members and 365 days for bus members.
VLIFE
Members can elect up to $250,000 with no medical exams/questions required.
Benefits double in the event of an accidental death.
Enrollees receive 24/7 on- and off-the-job protection.
For railroad members, the plans are designed to provide financial protection during lengthy RRB occupational disability or FELA case resolutions. For all members, these plans underwritten by Sun Life are available exclusively for full dues-paying members of SMART-TD and offer comprehensive coverage for our members.
Effective from August 1st, 2023, all members are guaranteed VLTD and VLIFE coverage, regardless of their medical condition.
Here are the key features and benefits of each plan for bus and rail members, respectively:
Bus members
Railroad members
Voluntary Long-Term Disability (VLTD) benefits
Voluntary Long-Term Disability (VLTD) benefits
• $5,000 disability coverage enrollment without the need to answer medical questions. • Up to 5 years of tax-free benefits. • 24/7 coverage for covered injuries, illnesses, and surgeries. • Coverage for pre-existing conditions after one year of continuous enrollment. Benefits begin after a 365-day elimination period.
• $5,000 disability coverage enrollment without the need to answer medical questions. • Up to 5 years of tax-free benefits to support you during extended periods of disability. • 24/7 coverage for covered injuries, illnesses, and surgeries. • Coverage for pre-existing conditions after one year of continuous enrollment. • Benefits begin after a 238-day elimination period. • No repayment of VLTD benefits for FELA injury settlements.
Voluntary Group Life (VLIFE) features
Voluntary Group Life (VLIFE) features
• Guaranteed life insurance amounts up to $250,000 for members, $50,000 for spouses, and $10,000 for dependents under 26. • Equivalent Accidental Death & Dismemberment coverage, with the amount doubled for accidental death.
• Guaranteed life insurance amounts up to $250,000 for members, $50,000 for spouses, and $10,000 for dependents under 26. • Equivalent Accidental Death & Dismemberment coverage, with the amount doubled for accidental death.
In addition to the VLTD and VLIFE plans, SMART-TD also offers extra protection options through UTUIA (United Transportation Union Insurance Association), effective from September 1st, 2023. These options include Cancer Insurance, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance and Accident and Hospital Indemnity Insurance.
To enroll in the SMART-TD VLTD plan, please visit www.smart-vltd.com. If you require any assistance during the enrollment process, you can reach our dedicated Customer Service Center at (224) 770-5328.
Please note that only members who are not currently participating in the SMART-TD VLTD plan are eligible to enroll at this time. Members who are already enrolled will have an opportunity to enroll at a later date.
It’s important for interested members to review the complete details and terms of the plans to make an informed decision about their coverage. This first open enrollment period ends on July 27, 2023.
Recently, you may have received (or may receive) a letter from Amalgamated stating that you can keep your coverage with Amalgamated on an individual basis by setting up “a direct payment arrangement through your checking account” with them. While you may stay covered by Amalgamated if you prefer, you will automatically remain covered by the SMART-TD Voluntary Disability Plan with Sun Life. SMART-TD will continue payroll-deducting your monthly VLTD premium and will remit those premiums to Sun Life on your behalf, so nothing is required of you to remain covered.
Below is important information for your reference:
Enrolled SMART-TD members have been covered by Sun Life since March 1, 2023.
Your monthly payroll deducted premiums have been paid to Sun Life and your coverage is current.
Members covered by the new Sun Life plan do not owe Amalgamated any premiums.
If you are currently on a claim with Amalgamated, you will maintain your monthly benefits through Amalgamated for the duration of your claim.
If you have any questions, please contact the SMART TD Customer Service Center at 224-770-5328.
SMART Transportation Division members now have the chance to get up to five times the guaranteed coverage in the Union’s new VLTD plan.
Beginning March 1, 2023, Sun Life Financial will administer the VLTD Plan and provide the 24-hour coverage plan participants enjoy now, with up to $5,000 of guaranteed approved tax-free coverage.
In the coming days, members with the current Amalgamated plan will be receiving a detailed summary of benefits & rates, which will outline the new plan design and provide updates on premiums, to be effective March 1, 2023. If you have any questions, please direct them to the SMART VLTD customer service hotline at (224) 770-5328.
As information, disability claims filed prior to March 1, 2023, will continue to be handled and underwritten by Amalgamated.
Sun Life VLTD Plan Highlights(Current Amalgamated enrollees)
• Guaranteed continuation of coverage at existing amount
• 12-month pre-existing condition clause is being transferred to Sun Life (time on Amalgamated plan will be honored).
• 2-year and 5-year benefit durations will be offered by Sun Life. – Maximum Monthly Benefit ranges from $1,000 to $5,000.
• 24-hour coverage (members are covered for both on- and off-duty incidents)
• Stackable with other benefits (including RRB sickness benefits) for up to 80% of pre-disability earnings
• Benefits are not subject to repayment upon receipt of FELA and/or personal injury settlements.
• Benefits paid are tax-free.
• Benefits begin after 238 days (Rail) & 365 days (Bus), matching the duration of the SMART Voluntary Short Term Disability (VSTD) plan, so there is no gap in coverage for members who are enrolled in both plans.
• Premiums will increase as members age.
• Benefits are not portable (SMART-TD members-only benefit).
• Mental illness & substance use benefits are increased to 12 months (previously limited to 3 months for mental illness, and 15 days for substance use).
For members who are not currently enrolled, an Open Enrollment is planned in the coming months. Additional details will be announced once those dates are confirmed.
Sun Life VLTD Plan Highlights(New enrollees)
• Sun Life will offer two open enrollments per year – First open enrollment planned for spring 2023 and another in fall.
• 2-year benefit duration – Guaranteed approved enrollment for up to $2,000 in monthly benefits – Maximum monthly benefit of $2,000
• 5-year benefit duration – Guaranteed approved enrollment for up to $5,000 in monthly benefits – Maximum monthly benefit of $5,000
• 24-hour coverage (members are covered for both on- and off-duty incidents)
• Stackable with other benefits (including RRB sickness benefits) for up to 70% of pre-disability earnings
• Benefits are not subject to repayment upon receipt of FELA and/or personal injury settlements.
• Benefits paid are tax-free.
• Benefits begin after 238 days (Rail) & 365 days (Bus), matching the duration of the SMART Voluntary Short Term Disability (VSTD) plan, so there is no gap in coverage for members who are enrolled in both plans.
• Premiums will increase as members age.
• Benefits are not portable (SMART-TD members-only benefit).
• Mental illness & substance use benefits are increased to 12 months (previously limited to 3 months for mental illness, and 15 days for substance use).
• Pre-existing conditions covered after 12 months of enrollment in the plan.
