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.
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.
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.
Open enrollment for the new SMART Transportation Division Long-Term Voluntary Disability Plan (VDP) is underway. Enrollment started in May and runs through Nov. 30, 2019. All dues-paying members of SMART TD living in the United States and working at least 20 hours per week can apply for coverage. Members can enroll online by visiting www.smart-vltd.com, contacting their local field supervisor or by calling the SMART TD VDP Enrollment Center at 224-770-5328. Since May 2019, SMART TD members have had a new disability benefit available to them. Enrollment for the new Long-Term Voluntary Disability Plan (VDP) ends November 30, 2019. Members can apply for coverage if they are a dues-paying member of SMART TD living in the United States and working at least 20 hours per week. Previously, SMART TD members had long-term disability insurance available to them through MetLife, but the MetLife plan ended April 1, 2019. The new plan is underwritten by Amalgamated Life Insurance Company. Members who were enrolled in the previous MetLife plan are guaranteed approved for a monthly benefit of up to $1,000 per month (2 or 5 years’ duration). “Applying for the new Long-Term Voluntary Disability Plan (VDP) is easy, because Amalgamated Life Insurance Company uses simplified medical underwriting,” stated Carl Galdine, the VDP enrollment director. “With simplified underwriting, there is no medical exam, only a few medical questions on the application.” Enrollment packets including a letter, a summary of benefits, and information on how to enroll were mailed to SMART TD members in May and June. Members can enroll online by visiting www.smart-vltd.com contacting their local field supervisor or by calling the SMART TD VDP Enrollment Center at 224-770-5328 and speaking with a benefit specialist. Below are highlights of the new Long-Term Voluntary Disability Plan (VDP):
Members can choose between a 2- or 5-year option
Members can enroll in a monthly benefit ranging from $300 to $5,000 ($100 benefit increments) (monthly benefit may not exceed 60% of gross earnings)
Previous MetLife participants are guaranteed approved for a monthly benefit of up to $1,000
Benefit does not offset and pays in addition to all other benefits
Benefit starts paying after 180 days (6 months)
Pre-existing conditions are covered after 12 months on the plan
Benefit covers members on and off the job (24-hour coverage)
Benefit is not subject to repayment upon receipt of a FELA or personal injury settlement
Members can retain coverage even if they are furloughed or suspended (portable)
“This new plan was designed to work well with the benefits that SMART TD members already have available to them,” Galdine said. “It stacks on top of all other benefits including the Voluntary Short-Term Disability Plan and RRB benefits. Also, this plan starts after a 6-month waiting period when RRB Sickness Benefits typically end.” Open enrollment ends Nov. 30, 2019. 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.
Open enrollment has begun for SMART Transportation Division bus and rail members in the union’s new Voluntary Disability Plan (VDP). The plan, now underwritten by Amalgamated Life Insurance Company, is available for long-term protection against a sudden loss of income due to an illness or injury. Although Open Enrollment will run through Nov. 30, 2019, members may sign up at any time during the enrollment period. Coverage will commence upon successful completion of the enrollment process. This plan has been established to provide yet another level of financial security to members in the event that a long-term recovery from an illness or injury leaves them unable to work. Members can customize their 24-7 coverage by selecting the benefit option best suiting their individual needs and then pay for coverage through payroll deductions. VDP benefits are payable after a 180-day elimination period and are paid in addition to any other benefits such as the TD Voluntary Short-Term Disability (VSTD) plan, worker’s comp, Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) sickness benefit or others. The new VDP has two- and five-year options with monthly benefits starting at $300 up to $5,000 available in $100 increments that can cover up to 60% of an enrollee’s earnings. Approval of benefits from Amalgamated is subject to participation requirements and/or simplified medical underwriting. This VDP coverage is portable for all members, and it won’t be lost if an enrollee is furloughed or suspended. Benefits remain payable in addition to other disability benefits, exceed those of standard long-term disability plans and will give financial security in a time of need. This plan is optional and voluntary. If a member does not enroll, he or she will not be covered. Information concerning benefit options and rates for all SMART TD members is available at www.smart-vltd.com, by emailing info@smart-vltd.com or by calling the SMART TD VDP Enrollment Center at 224-770-5328.
