The Temporary Disability Plan offers the financial protection of continuing part of your income on a short-term basis if you are sick or injured and are unable to work.
You can review and make changes to your benefits in Benefits Connect through Friday, Nov. 8. The benefits options on your Annual Enrollment reflect the 2025 Benefits Plan. Learn more about the 2025 plan enhancements here. You can also access the 2025 Benefits Plan for complete plan details.
If you are sick or injured and unable to work, the Temporary Disability Plan provides weekly income for up to 90 days from the date of your disability. Benefits may begin after you have been disabled and are unable to work for 14 consecutive days. The Board of Pensions partners with Lincoln Financial Group to administer these benefits.
Definition of disability
For purposes of the Temporary Disability Plan, being disabled means that you are unable to perform your regular work duties because you are sick or injured. Lincoln Financial must certify all disabilities.
Generally, your temporary disability benefit is equal to 60 percent of your effective salary (up to the IRS annual compensation limit); the benefit is paid weekly. Disability benefits are reduced by income sources such as state-mandated disability benefits and workers' compensation.
These benefits may be available for up to the first 90 consecutive days of your disability.
If you participate in Pastor’s Participation or Minister’s Choice, you will automatically be enrolled.
If you do not participate in either benefits package, your employer may
Either you or your employer may pay the full cost for temporary disability benefits coverage. If your employer pays the cost, temporary disability benefits are taxable when they are paid to you. If you pay for the coverage on an after-tax basis, temporary disability benefits are tax-free when they are paid to you.
Once you apply for temporary disability benefits, if your disability is approved, payments begin after you are out of work as a result of the disability for 14 consecutive days.
Disability benefits end
Your temporary disability benefits may also end if you start receiving long-term disability benefits in connection with your disability or when you are no longer eligible for this benefit.
Lincoln Financial reviews these benefits periodically during your disability and may ask for documents that verify your continued disability. To continue receiving benefits, you must undergo required evaluations, follow prescribed medical treatment, and provide requested documentation.
A valuable feature of this coverage is that the benefits you have as an active employee through the Board of Pensions will continue during your disability, subject to Benefits Plan rules and your employer’s policies.
Your employer will advise you of your cost for benefits while you are disabled.
You may apply for benefits if you are unable to work for more than 14 consecutive days while recovering from an illness or injury as long as a physician certifies your disability.
For planned absence, for example, elective surgery such as knee replacement, you may apply up to 30 days before the first day you are absent from work.
To start the application process, call Lincoln Financial at 888-970-2487 or log in to the Lincoln Financial website and select Report a New Claim. The first time you log in, you will need to register using the code: BOARDPEN.
If your application for temporary disability benefits is denied or your temporary disability benefits end before 90 consecutive days of disability, you have the right to appeal.