Voluntary Disability Plan Archives

All previously declined members and future enrolled members of the SMART-TD Long-Term Voluntary Disability Plan (VDP) now have access to up to $1,000 of guaranteed approved coverage.

North Olmsted, Ohio (April 16, 2020) — In May 2019, the SMART Transportation Division rolled out a new Voluntary Disability Plan (VDP) to all dues-paying members living in the United States and working at least 20 hours per week. This plan, underwritten by Amalgamated Life Insurance Company, was subject to simplified medical underwriting, which led to some members not receiving medical qualification for this important coverage.
SMART leadership has been in negotiations with Amalgamated to resolve this issue, and the company has agreed to provide $1,000 of guaranteed approved coverage to all future enrollees, including those who previously had been medically denied coverage.
This enhancement to the SMART TD Long-Term Disability Plan (VDP) applies to all members who had applied previously and were denied coverage and to all future new enrolled members.
The following conditions will be made effective on Aug. 1, 2020:

Those enrolled members must currently be actively at work
Members who previously enrolled and were declined may find themselves in a new age group based on the new effective date of coverage. This will impact their premiums.

The $1,000 guaranteed approved benefit plan will have the following design:

$1,000/month maximum benefit
180-day elimination period
2-year maximum benefit duration
12/12 pre-existing limitation (pre-existing condition clock will start Aug. 1, 2020)

For more information about the enhanced VDP plan or to enroll, visit www.smart-vltd.com or call the SMART-TD VDP Enrollment Center at 224-770-5328.
About SMART TD: The SMART Transportation Division (SMART-TD) is comprised of approximately 125,000 active and retired members of the former United Transportation Union, who work in a variety of different crafts in the transportation industry. With offices in North Olmsted, Ohio, and Washington, D.C., SMART TD is the largest railroad operating union in North America.
For more information regarding this press release, please contact:
Carl Galdine
224-770-5328
carl@smart-vltd.com

The open-enrollment period for the new SMART TD Long-Term Voluntary Disability Plan (VDP)<strong? has been extended until Jan. 15, 2020. The high call volume that occurred as last week’s deadline approach allowed the negotiation of a longer period for members to take advantage of this benefit.
You can enroll by talking to a Benefit Specialist by calling 224-770-5328 or self-enroll by visiting www.smart-vltd.com.
Below are a few highlights of the new plan:

The new plan is replacing the old MetLife Long-Term Disability Plan that was canceled in April.
The new plan differs from the old MetLife plan because it does not offset with other benefits such as the RRB or the VSTD. This plan stacks on top of and pays in addition to other benefits.
Unlike the old plan, the new VDP is an individual policy that is guaranteed renewable. Your coverage can’t be canceled. (It remains in force up to age 72 as long as premiums are paid).
Premiums are locked in when you enroll. Your premiums do not increase as you get older.
Previous MetLife participants are guaranteed approved for a monthly benefit of up to $1,000.

Open enrollment has been extended to Jan. 15, 2020.
For more information or to enroll, contact your local field supervisor, visit www.smart-vltd.com, or call the SMART TD VDP Enrollment Center at 224-770-5328.