Benefits » Other Insurance » Permanent Disability Benefits
If your disability is permanent or expected to last 12 months or longer, you can apply for benefits from the LANS Defined Benefit Eligible Disability Program (DBED). LANS benefit income is calculated differently than Short-Term or Supplemental Disability—it is based on service credit and final salary. LANS provides benefits for qualified members with at least five years of service credit.
This is not meant to be a retirement benefit but a replacement benefit until the employee is eligible to retire. You should apply for LANS disability income before leaving LANS employment.
| Do You Receive Social Security? | ||
|---|---|---|
| If... | then your disability income is | The percentage of your final salary will depend on |
| Yes | a percentage of your final salary, minus a reduction for the Social Security benefit | your LANS service credit |
| No | a percentage of your final salary | your LANS service credit and the number of your eligible children |
If you contribute to Social Security now or have done so, contact Social Security to find out about benefits you may be eligible to receive. You may also be eligible based on contributions by your spouse or former spouse.
If you are approved for LANS disability income, you may be eligible to continue your LANS medical, dental, and/or legal coverage.
| If you | you will receive | |
|---|---|---|
| were hired in a career position before January 1, 1990, and have not had a break in service of > 120 days |
100% | of your employer's maximum contribution toward the plan's monthly premium |
| were hired in a career position on or after January 1, 1990, or you were rehired after that date following a break in service of > 120 days |
a percentage, based on years of service | of your employer's maximum contribution toward the plan's monthly premium |
Note: Before you take any kind of leave without pay, please contact the Lab's Benefits Office at 505-667-1806 to ensure your insurance(s) remain active.
This is only an overview of the Permanent Disability insurance plan. For more information about Permanent Disability, read the Benefits Program Summary or contact the Lab's Benefits Office at 505-667-1203 to speak with a disability specialist.