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Long Term Disability

ASRS Member LTD Information

Active members making contributions to the Arizona State Retirement System also participate in the ASRS Long Term Disability (LTD) Income Program, funded by a separate contribution from members and employers to the ASRS.

The LTD plan provides for a monthly benefit designed to partially replace income lost if you are unable to work due to an illness (including some pregnancies) or injury.

The ASRS has contracted with Broadspire Services, Inc. for administration of the LTD plan. Prior to Sept. 1, 2016, Sedgwick CMS had been the plan administrator.

Members who are receiving LTD benefits are eligible to participate in the ASRS Retiree Group Health Insurance program and possibly receive a premium benefit supplement to offset some of the cost of eligible medical and/or dental insurance. More information will be provided by the ASRS once your LTD claim has been approved.

You may be eligible for LTD benefits while receiving other benefits, such as Social Security or workers’ compensation. You are required to report any additional income received to Broadspire in a timely manner to avoid LTD benefits being overpaid. The amount of your LTD benefit will be impacted by income you receive from other sources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible?

Active, contributing members of the Arizona State Retirement System are required to contribute to the Long Term Disability Income Plan. Members will see separate deductions on their paychecks for the ASRS defined benefit plan and for LTD. The pension plan is a pre-tax deduction and LTD is a post-tax deduction. Inactive members – those not contributing can potentially still qualify for LTD, if it is determined the date of disability is within the time frame the member was contributing. Retirees receiving a monthly benefit are not eligible for LTD. Check your own eligibility by logging in to your secure account on myASRS

myASRS Login 

How is disability determined?

A member is determined to be disabled based on "objective medical evidence." This is defined as evidence that establishes facts and conditions as perceived without distortion by personal feelings, prejudices or interpretations, and includes quantitative tests, x-rays, laboratory findings, data, records and reports from attending and consulating physicians.

After a six-month waiting period, and for the following 24 months, you are considered disabled if you are under the care of a licensed physician and are unable to perform all of the duties and/or the full-time schedule of the occupation you held when you became disabled.

After you have received benefits for 24 months within a five-year period, you are considered disabled if you are under the care of a licensed physician and unable to perform any work for compensation or gain (greater than or equal to two-thirds of compensation at the onset of disability) for which you are reasonably qualified by education, training or experience.

What disabilities are not covered?

Monthly LTD income benefits are not payable to a participant whose disability is due to, or a result of, any of the following:
  • An intentionally self-inflicted injury;
  • War, whether declared or not;
  • An injury incurred while engaged in a felonious criminal act or enterprise.
    • If your most recent ASRS membership began on or after July 1, 2008, you may not be eligible for LTD if you have received medical treatment for the condition that renders you disabled in the six months prior to your ASRS membership (contributing) date under the LTD program.

When do benefits begin?

Benefits will begin after a waiting period of six consecutive months from the date of disability, which is determined by the LTD administrator once your application is reviewed and approved. In some cases, you may be able to work in a limited capacity or intermittently while your application is being processed.

What do I have to do during my disability?

To ensure you receive all LTD benefits to which you are entitled, you must:
  • Complete, sign, and return the LTD claim application to your employer as soon as possible.
  • See your healthcare providers on a regular basis and ensure that the providers complete any disability progress reports requested by Broadspire
  • Ensure that your healthcare provider specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of your disabling condition and attend at least one appointment per year.
  • Provide information as requested by Broadspire

How much is my benefit going to be?

The monthly benefit is 66 2/3 percent of your monthly compensation (based on your contributions to the ASRS) up to the date of disability in the fiscal year in which you become disabled. However, income from other sources, such as Social Security, employment-related pay, or workers' compensation may impact the amount you receive.

Who do I call if I do not receive my LTD benefit payment or if I have questions about my payment?

Call Broadspire, at (877) 232-0596 if you have any questions about your LTD payment.

How long will benefits be paid?

You will receive LTD benefits as long as you continue to meet the disability criteria and provide perodic documentation requested by the LTD administrator. You can continue to receive LTD benefits until you attain normal retirement criteria, or five years, whichever is later. There are some exceptions based on your age at the time of disability.

Is my LTD benefit taxable?

Fifty percent of your LTD benefit payment will be taxable.

Do I have to report other income?

Yes, while you are receiving LTD benefits, you are required to notify us if you have or will receive other income from your employer, self-employment, any federal, state, county or other governmental agency, including Social Security and Workers’ Compensation. For any months in which you received both LTD benefits and other income, you will be overpaid.

What if I am on workers' compensation?

You may be eligible for LTD benefits while on workers' compensation. However, the amount of your LTD benefit will be impacted by workers' compensation payments. In some cases, you may be able to work at a limited capacity or intermittently while on workers' compensation and remain eligible for LTD benefits.

What happens if my employer asks me to resign or I am terminated?

Resignation or termination will not impact your LTD claim or the processing of your LTD claim. If you are no longer employed when you start the application process, you may still be eligible as long as you were an active, contributing ASRS member as of the potential date of your disability.

You will continue to accrue ASRS service credit toward your retirement if your LTD claim is approved and you begin receiving LTD benefit payments.

Will I be eligible for the ASRS Health Insurance Program?

If you are receiving an LTD benefit payment, you are eligible to elect health coverage under the ASRS Retiree Group Health Insurance Program. If your LTD claim is approved but you then become ineligible to continue receiving LTD benefit payments in the future, you may continue health insurance for yourself and your covered dependents for up to 12 months from the date you become ineligible for ongoing LTD benefits.

If you have at least five years of credited ASRS service and receive your group health insurance coverage through an ASRS employer or through the ASRS Retiree Group Health Insurance Program, you may also be eligible for a premium benefit to supplement the cost of your health insurance. If you become ineligible for ongoing LTD benefit payments, the premium benefit supplement will end on the date you become ineligible for ongoing LTD benefits, and you will be financially responsible for the full amount of your health insurance premiums.

Contact your employer or the ASRS Member Services Division for more information regarding the health insurance programs and the Health Insurance Premium Benefit Program.

Do I have to apply for Social Security Disability (SSD)?

If the LTD Administrator or one of their Social Security Disability advocacy groups determines that you are a candidate for Social Security Disability Income (SSDI), a representative will contact you to discuss your SSDI eligibility. The LTD Plan requires that you file for and fully complete any benefits for which you may qualify, including SSDI. Therefore, if it is determined you are a candidate for SSDI, you are required to apply and fulfill all necessary steps throughout the process and follow through with all appeal levels through the Social Security Administrative Law Judge.

Does the ASRS provide assistance with the Social Security Disability process?

Yes, Broadspire contracts with Social Security Disability advocacy firms to assist you in the process of applying for Social Security Disability. Your claim will be referred to one of the contracted firms for review. If you are deemed a good candidate for Social Security Disability, you will be contacted by one of the firms.

How can I check the status of my LTD claim?

Once Broadspire, has received your completed claim packet from your employer, you may call Broadspire, at (877) 232- 0596, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to check the status of your LTD claim.

You can get payment information, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, online using the Broadspire Member Portal at www.myleavetech.com. You can create a login and password for your LTD claim which allows secure access to your claim information.

Information and Application

You should receive an LTD Claim packet if one or more of the following apply:

  • Intermittent or full-time FMLA or Medical Leave based on a medical condition for yourself
  • Working in a different job, due to a medical condition
  • Restricted work duties due to a medical condition advised by a medical provider
  • Work-related injury
  • Unable to work due in any capacity due to a medical condition

For more detailed information, click on the button below.

ASRS LTD Employee Guide 

For more detailed information on Arizona Revised Statutes and Arizona Administrative Code that constitute the laws and regulations governing the ASRS Long Term Disability program, click on the Arizona Revised Statutes and Administrative Code button below.

Arizona Revised Statutes and Administrative Code

Your employer's human resource or benefits department will provide you with the application packet necessary to file a Long Term Disability (LTD) claim. The application includes forms that must be completed by you and your physician. After completing these, you will need to take them to your employer, who will complete the remaining forms needed for filing. Your employer will then send the entire packet to the LTD administrator for processing.

If you have submitted an LTD claim and have questions regarding the process or any details regarding your LTD claim, contact the ASRS LTD administrator, Broadspire. Contact information is provided below.

The Broadspire Member Portal gives members the option of doing business online, in real-time. No waiting on hold, no waiting in line. Once your claim has been received and loaded into the system, a claim number will be established.

Once you receive your claim number you will be able to register on the Broadspire Member Portal to retrieve status updates of your claim or payment information. This status information is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Broadspire Information

The ASRS has contracted with Broadspire Services, Inc. to provide claim management services for the LTD income plan.

If you are currently on LTD and have questions about your LTD benefit, please contact Broadspire at (877) 232-0596. Broadspire has live customer service representatives ready to answer your questions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Broadspire Portal Video Thumbnail    Watch the Broadspire Portal instructional video.    

Alternatively, once you receive your disability claim number you will be able to register on Broadspire Member Portal to retrieve status updates of your claim or payment information. This status information is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For LTD members who wish to update tax withholdings or direct deposit arrangements, the following forms are provided for your convenience. You may enter your information onto these forms, and submit it to Broadspire using one of the following:

PDF Icon Federal Tax Withholding form W-4

PDF Icon Arizona Tax Withholding form A-4

PDF Icon Broadspire Direct Deposit Form

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