For Judges - For Judges

LONG-TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE FOR FLORIDA STATE COURTS SYSTEM JUDGES

Words from those who have received benefits

(Age and premiums calculated for plan year 2025.)

(Want to fill out an application? Click the Enroll Button.)

(Need to file a claim directly with UNUM? Click here)

(Forms & Benefit Booklet for Plan 24035)

24035 (Judges) - Plan Provisions

ELIGIBILITY

You are eligible for LTD coverage if you are a full-time active employee working 20 or more hours per week.

GUARANTEED ISSUE

If you enroll during your initial enrollment period, or during a specified re-enrollment period, coverage is available to you without answering any medical questions or providing evidence of insurability. If you enroll after your initial enrollment period and not during a specified re-enrollment period, your coverage will be medically underwritten, and you will be required to qualify based on information you provide regarding your health history. Re-enrollments are conducted biennially.

ELIMINATION PERIOD

The Elimination Period is the length of time of continuous disability which must be satisfied before you are eligible to receive benefits. LTD benefits would begin after 90 consecutive days of total disability, as described in the definition below. If you attempt to return to work within the 90 day elimination period for a period of 30 days or less and go back out on disability, for the same disability, your elimination period will be cumulative.

BENEFIT AMOUNT

Monthly LTD Benefit:

choice of 25, 40, or 50% of your basic monthly earnings
to a maximum of $5,000

“Basic monthly earnings” means the insured’s monthly rate of earnings from the employer in effect just prior to the date disability begins. It does not include commissions, bonuses, overtime pay and other extra compensation.

BENEFIT
DURATION

Your duration of benefits is based on your age when the disability occurs. Your LTD benefits are payable for the period during which you continue to meet the definition of disability up to age 65. If disability occurs from age 60 – 64 benefits are payable for 5 years, ages 65-69 until age 70 (but not less than one year), age 70 and over, for 1 year.

PREMIUM

Monthly premium is based on age and salary. At the beginning of each plan year (Jan. 1) the premium is adjusted for salary increases (as your salary increases so does your monthly benefit). Every 5 years, on ages ending in 0 or 5, premium is adjusted for age (click on “Rate Calculation” link to see rate chart). This adjustment is also made at the beginning of the plan year. Premiums are paid through payroll deduction each month and continue as long as your coverage remains in force. Once enrolled, coverage continues from year to year with no further action on your part until terminated (see section on “Termination of Coverage” below).

DEFINITION OF DISABILITY

You would be considered disabled and eligible for LTD benefits if, because of covered injury or sickness:

you cannot perform each of the material duties of your regular occupation, and
after benefits have been paid for 24 months, you cannot perform each of the material duties of any gainful occupation for which you are reasonably fitted by education, training or experience.

GAINFUL OCCUPATION

Gainful occupation means an occupation that is, or can be expected to provide you with an income of, at least 60% of your indexed monthly earnings within 12 months of your return to work.

TAXATION

Under current tax laws your LTD benefit will not be taxed because you are paying for the coverage with post-tax dollars.

INSTANCES WHEN BENEFITS WOULD NOT BE PAID

Benefits will not be paid for disabilities caused by, contributed to by, or resulting from:

intentionally self-inflicted injuries;
active participation in a riot;
war, declared or undeclared, or any act of war;
pre-existing conditions (see definition below).

UnumProvident will not pay benefits for any period of disability during which you are incarcerated.

PRE-EXISTING CONDITION EXCLUSION

A pre-existing condition is a sickness or injury for which you received medical treatment, consultation, care or services including diagnostic measures, or took prescribed drugs or medicines in the 6 months prior to your effective date of coverage. If you suffer a disability caused by, contributed to by, or resulting from a pre-existing condition and it begins in the first 12 months after your effective date, that disability would not be covered by this policy.

MENTAL & NERVOUS

LTD benefits would be paid for 24 months per lifetime for disabilities caused by mental illness that meet the definition of disability. Mental and nervous benefits would continue beyond 24 months only if you are institutionalized or hospitalized as a result of the disability.

GENERAL EXCLUSIONS

This summary of benefits does not cover any disability due to:

war, declared or undeclared, or any act of war;
intentionally self-inflicted injuries;
active participation in a riot.

WAIVER OF PREMIUM

You will not be required to pay LTD premiums as long as you are receiving LTD benefits.

TERMINATION OF COVERAGE

Your coverage under the policy ends on the earliest of the following: the date the policy or plan is canceled; the date you no longer are in an eligible class; the date your eligible class is no longer covered; the last day of the period for which you made any required contributions; the last day you are in active employment except as provided under the covered layoff or leave of absence provision.

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

assist america

If you or your family travel more than 100 miles from home or in a foreign country, for business or pleasure, assist america’s global network of professionals will provide a full range of emergency services, 24 hours-a-day, 365 days-a-year. Some of these include: medical consultation and evaluation by Western-trained, English-speaking physicians, hospital admission guarantee, emergency prescription services, legal services and lost luggage assistance. (Note that spouses traveling on business are not eligible.)

This plan highlight summary is provided to help you understand your insurance coverage from Unum.

If the terms of this plan highlight summary and the policy differ, the policy will govern.

The policy has exclusions and limitations which may affect any benefits payable.

Unum Legal and Privacy Notices

Updated January 2021

Underwritten by the following subsidiary of the Unum Group:
Unum Life Insurance Company of America
2211 Congress Street
Portland, Maine 04122

Disclaimer: This is not intended to be a complete description of Unum Group’s Long Term Disability Income Protection insurance policy, and is presented for informational purposes only. Policy terms will control all benefit descriptions. Please refer to Your Plan page on this website for limitations and exclusions which may affect any benefits payable.

The Honorable Judge Foster Speaks

I was at the peak of my life, working my dream job, married to the love of my life, with two adorable children. A flyer came in my mail saying "what if?" illness? disability?

I could be guaranteed a decent income even if I had to give up my job due to some unforeseen circumstance. I could protect my family, who counted on my income.

It was the best decision I ever made. I signed up for the policy. Years later I came down with multiple sclerosis, a terrible disease. My disability policy has made all the difference.

Florence Foster

Retired Judge

Thank You

I just want to thank you again for convincing me to purchase long term disability insurance. At age 44, when I got the first of two policies, becoming disabled was the last thing on my mind. In the 1980’s I was running up to ten miles per day, cycling and working out at the Y. I ran the Blue Angel marathon and rode the Sentinal Safari across Florida twice. Now it’s an effort to walk across a room. As you know, I had to give up my job as a County Court Judge due to a sudden deterioration of my back. The insurance wasn’t cheap; however, it has enabled my wife and me to carry on in the same manner as when I was employed.

What happened to me could happen to any one at any age. I hope you can keep this product available for these Florida judges who have the foresight to plan ahead and who don’t want to gamble with their family’s financial future.

Thanks also for your help with the claims forms and documentation. It has been a real pleasure working with you.

G.J Roark

Retired Judge