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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

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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

If the LTD Administrator or Allsup determines that you are a candidate for Social Security Disability Income (SSDI), an Allsup 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.

Who is Allsup? Do I have to use them?

Allsup, who works with the LTD Administrator (Broadspire) is a nationwide provider of Social Security disability representation service helping people receive their SSDI benefits. Allsup will keep the LTD Administrator (Broadspire) up to date on the status of SSDI benefits.

If it is determined you are a candidate and choose not to use Allsup, you may apply for this benefit at your local Social Security Administration office, online at www.ssa.gov, or you may hire an attorney or non-attorney representative to help you with your claim for Social Security. If you do not use Allsup you are required to keep the LTD Administrator (Broadspire) up to date on the status of SSDI benefits.

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.

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 ASRS LTD Brochure button below.

ASRS LTD Employee Guide

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.

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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