Group Long-Term Disability, Accident and Critical Illness Insurance (Excluded Employees Only)
The Standard offers Group Long-Term Disability (LTD) coverage along with Accident Insurance (AI) and Critical Illness (CI) benefits for eligible excluded state employees. These voluntary plans are designed to help protect your income and provide additional financial support in the event of a serious illness, injury or other qualifying health event.
Your Enrollment Options
- Enroll in LTD:
Includes income protection plus automatic enrollment in AI and CI at no cost to you (employee-only coverage). - Enroll in AI and/or CI only:
If you do not enroll in LTD, you may still choose AI and/or CI coverage at group rates (employee-paid premiums apply)
Long-Term Disability
Group Long-Term Disability (LTD) is a voluntary insurance plan that is available to eligible excluded state employees only. This benefit replaces a portion of your income in the event you cannot work for six months or more due to a covered illness or injury. By protecting your income and helping you to meet your financial commitments in a time of need, this benefit can be key to maintaining your standard of living. Eligible excluded state employees can enroll online by visiting the Standard Insurance website and select the “Enroll Now” tab.
You can find more information about benefit plan options, including new features, enhancements, and costs, in the Virtual Library – Voluntary Benefits Bookshelf.
If you enroll in LTD, you are automatically enrolled in supplementary benefits (Accident Insurance and Critical Illness Insurance) for yourself, along with affordable coverage options for your spouse or domestic partner. If you are not enrolled in LTD coverage, you may still enroll and pay for AI and/or CI coverage at affordable group rates.
Optional Coverage for Spouse or Domestic Partner
If you are enrolled in the AI and CI plans, you can buy optional coverage for a spouse or domestic partner. This added cost is deducted from your paycheck. (Coverage for other children or other dependents is not included.)
Health Maintenance Screening (HMS) Benefit
You can get $100 each year when you or your covered spouse or domestic partner complete qualifying screenings, like preventive care and routine checkups. To receive this benefit, log in to the Standard’s website, go to the HMS section and click “Start a New Claim.”
Education Reimbursement
The LTD plan also includes a $300 education reimbursement benefit to help cover eligible dependents’ education expenses if you become disabled.
Accident Insurance
AI helps ease financial stress after an accident. If you or your covered spouse or domestic partner has an accident-related injury, the plan pays a benefit based on the injury and the treatment needed, including emergency room care and related surgery. It can help offset the out-of-pocket expenses that traditional medical insurance may not cover, including non-surgical and surgical incidents, follow-up care and more.
If you enroll in LTD you will be automatically enrolled in AI coverage at no cost to you if you are eligible. If you are not enrolled in LTD coverage, you may still enroll and pay for AI coverage at affordable group rates.
You can find more information about coverage, group rates and other details in the Virtual Library – Voluntary Benefits Bookshelf.
Critical Illness Insurance
CI provides financial help if you or your covered spouse or domestic partner is diagnosed with a serious illness. It can help you and your family focus on recovery, not bills. Covered critical illnesses include cancer, heart attack, stroke, major organ failure, coma, paralysis, loss of sight and more.
If you enroll in LTD you will be automatically enrolled in CI coverage at no cost to you if you are eligible. If you are not enrolled in LTD coverage, you may still enroll and pay for CI coverage at affordable group rates.
You can find more information about coverage, group rates and other details in the Virtual Library – Voluntary Benefits Bookshelf.
Plan Overview and Details
Eligibility
Eligibility information can be found on the Standard Insurance website.
Website
Benefit Coverage
Benefit coverage information can be found on the Standard Insurance website.
Website
Premium Increase
Premium increases are triggered by salary increases including, but not limited to, merit salary adjustments, range changes, general salary increases, etc. Additionally, on January 1, employees’ premiums will increase if they move from one age category to the next age category.
Premiums
Premiums are based on employees’ age and plan.
How to calculate monthly premium:
Monthly base salary (x) age factor (+) 0.80 administrative fee = monthly premium
Plan Options
Option A = 65 Percent (075-111)
|
Age |
Factor |
|
Under Age 30 |
0.00026 |
|
30 – 39 |
0.00073 |
|
40 – 49 |
0.00173 |
|
50 – 59 |
0.00347 |
|
Over 60 |
0.00384 |
Option B = 55 Percent (075-119)
|
Age |
Factor |
|
Under Age 30 |
0.00012 |
|
30 – 39 |
0.00037 |
|
40 – 49 |
0.00087 |
|
50 – 59 |
0.00175 |
|
Over 60 |
0.00195 |
Example of Premium Level
In order to determine which plan option is best for employees, they should visit the Standard Insurance website and calculate their cost by using the LTD Premium Calculator.
|
Employee Age 50 |
Option A – 65 Percent |
Option B – 55 Percent |
|
Monthly Salary $6,500 |
$22.56 |
11.38 |
|
Plus $0.80 Admin Fee |
$0.80 |
$0.80 |
|
Total Monthly Premium |
$23.36 |
$12.18 |
Enrollment
Effective January 1, 2026, enrollment is available year-round for Long –Term Disability, Accident Insurance and Critical Illness Insurance for eligible employees.
Effective Date
The effective date of coverage will begin on the first day of the month, following the first premium deduction.
If the enrollment application is processed by the 10th day of the month, the insurance coverage will become effective on the first day of the next calendar month.
If the enrollment application is processed after the 10th day of the calendar month, the insurance coverage will become effective on the first day of the second calendar month following the date the employee applied.
Example:
Hired January 1 (60-day eligibility period ends March 1)
Enrolled online January 1
Effective February 1
Premiums will be taken from the January pay warrant
Hired January 1 (60-day eligibility period ends March 1)
Enrolled January 11
Effective March 1
Premiums will be taken from the February pay warrant
Hired January 1 (60-day eligibility period ends March 1)
Enrolled March 2
Employee missed enrollment opportunity and must wait until Open Enrollment to enroll.
Department personnel office is responsible to provide active eligible employees appropriate notifications when employees are:
- Newly Hired or Newly Eligible
- On a Leave of Absence (LOA) or return from LOA
- Premium deductions are not being paid from employee’s pay warrant
- Employee loses coverage
- Employee returning from Workman’s Compensation
How To Enroll
Active Eligible
Employees are encouraged to enroll online.
Military Department – Active Military State Employees Only
Due to their Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) and Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS), Active Military personnel are not eligible to enroll online and must enroll using the enrollment form.
Direct Pay Departments – California Exposition & State Fair, California Fairs Services Authority, and the Legislative Analyst’s Office
Employees of the California Exposition & State Fair, California Fairs Services Authority, and the Legislative Analyst’s Office are not eligible to enroll online and must enroll using the enrollment form.
Employees can obtain the enrollment form from their departmental personnel office. Employees must return the completed enrollment form to their departmental personnel office.
Cancellation
Active Employees and Active Military State Employees
Employees may cancel their plan anytime.
Direct Pay Departments – California Exposition & State Fair and California Fairs Services Authority
Employees must complete the enrollment form and check the cancel box. Employees must work with their department personnel office for more information.
Retirement
LTD coverage will be automatically canceled the month the employee retires. Employees must work with their department personnel office should they wish to cancel sooner.
How to File a Claim
Employees who are enrolled into the LTD Plan can file a claim if they have an injury or illness that will prevent them from working six months or longer.
Note: The employee does not need to wait six months to file a claim. The employee should file as soon as they know they will be out, to prevent a delay in benefits. The employee should work with their departmental personnel office to start the process of filing a claim.
LTD Waiting Period
There is a six-month waiting period. Premiums must be paid during the waiting period or until the claim has been approved.
Group Accident Insurance
If the employee is enrolled into the LTD Plan, then the employee will automatically be enrolled in the Accident insurance at no additional cost. If you are not enrolled in LTD coverage, you may still enroll and pay for AI coverage at affordable group rates.
Accident insurance includes more then 70 benefits for covered injuries and treatments. For more information, visit the Standard Insurance website.
Group Critical Illness Insurance
If the employee is enrolled into the LTD Plan, then the employee will automatically be enrolled in the Critical Illness insurance at no additional cost.
Coverage Amount
Employee: $10,000
Child(ren): $5,000
For more information on the Group Critical Illness Plan features, visit the Standard Insurance website.
Note: Employees may continue their coverage past age 64. However, employees cannot apply for new coverage past age 64.
Contact Information
For information about the plan, how to enroll, issues, cancel or file a claim employees should contact their departmental personnel office.
CalHR
Email: LTD@CalHR.ca.gov
Fax: (855) 238-3276
Standard Insurance
National Accounts Service SOC Team
Standard Insurance Company
900 SW 5th Avenue
Portland, OR 97204-9805
Email: socltdforms@standard.com
Claims Mailing Address
Employee Benefits Department
Standard Insurance Company
PO Box 2800
Portland, OR 97208
Phone
Direct Customer Service Line: (971) 321-8150 for ALL information
Toll-Free Customer Service Line: (888) 641-7193 only for LTD
Toll-Free Customer Service Line: (800) 634-1743 only for Group Accident and Critical Illness
Hours of Operation: Monday 5:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time
Website
Forms and Resources
- LTD Claim Packet
- Health Maintenance Claim Form
- Accident Beneficiary Designation/Change form (only for Group Accident Insurance)
- CalHR Open Enrollment Resources
- CalHR Open Enrollment Virtual Library
- Group LTD Insurance Certificate
- Group LTD Benefits Guide
- Group Accident Coverage Highlights
- Group Critical Illness Coverage Highlights
- Health Maintenance Screening Benefit
Frequently Asked Questions
Can employees elect coverage for their dependents?
If employees are enrolled in the AI or CI plans, they can buy optional coverage for their spouse or domestic partner. This added cost is deducted from your paycheck.
The CI plan also offers a benefit of the employees’ child(ren) being automatically covered at 50%
When can employees change or cancel their coverage?
Effective January 1, 2026, eligible employees can enroll or make changes to their coverage option at any time.
The departmental personnel offices are responsible for providing program information and required notifications when employees are:
- Newly Hired or Newly Eligible
- Going out on a LOA or returning from a LOA
- Premium deductions are not being paid from employee’s pay warrant
- Employee loses coverage
- Employee returns from Workman’s Compensation
Will employees have to provide medical history to apply for LTD?
- No.
Note: To file a claim, medical information will be required.
How do employees know if they are eligible for LTD?
This plan is available only to Excluded Employees, which generally include Constitutional Officers and Managerial, Supervisory, and Confidential employees who are excluded from union representation. If you are unsure whether you meet these eligibility criteria, please provide your full name (as listed with the State Controller’s Office), position number, date of hire, and Social Security number for verification.
Represented (rank-and-file) employees are not eligible to enroll; however, they may contact their union for information about union-sponsored disability benefits.
Is Long Term Care the same as Long Term Disability?
No. The Long-Term Care (LTC) Program offered through CalPERS provides coverage for employees who need extended care due to a chronic disease, age, or serious accident. For information about the CalPERS LTC Program, please visit their website.
What if employees have moved to a represented position?
If they cease to be eligible due to a CBID change, they can continue coverage for up to 24 months by making payments directly to Standard Insurance.
Employees must request this continuance in writing within 60 days of the date they lose eligibility by completing the Request for Long Term Disability 24 month Direct Pay Coverage (SI 13898-643146) at standard.com/mybenefits/california.
Mail or Email completed form to Standard Insurance at:
National Accounts Services SOC Team
Standard Insurance Company
900 SW 5th Ave
Portland, OR 97204-9805
Email: socltdforms@standard.com
For more information, view the Coverage Continuation on Standard Insurance website.
What happens if the employee separates from state service?
If an employee separates from state service, they may be eligible to convert their plan to an individual plan providing they have been enrolled for at least 12 months and are not disabled from performing the duties of their occupation at the time of separation. The conversion is subject to approval by Standard Insurance.
For more information, contact Standard Insurance at (888) 641-7193.
Employees have 31 days from separation to apply for the conversion. Employees must complete the Request for Group LTD Conversion Material (SI 4781-643146).
Mail or Fax completed form to Standard Insurance at:
National Accounts Services SOC Team
Standard Insurance Company
900 SW 5th Ave
Portland, OR 97204-9805
Fax (971) 321-6744
What if employees are on a Leave of Absence (LOA)?
Employees have 31 days from the date they went out on a LOA to convert their plan. They must have been enrolled for at least 12 months and not be disabled from performing the duties of their occupation at the time their LOA began. The conversion is subject to approval by Standard Insurance.
For more information, contact the Standard Insurance at (888) 641-7193.
To apply or receive conversion materials, employees must complete the Request for Group LTD Conversion Material (SI 4781-643146).
Mail or Email completed form to Standard Insurance at:
National Accounts Services SOC Team
Standard Insurance Company
900 SW 5th Ave
Portland, OR 97204-9805
Email: socltdforms@standard.com
