Programs & Services - Long Term Disability

Yes, all staff members of URJ-affiliated congregations are eligible for RPB Long Term Disability (LTD) coverage if they work for their congregation at least 18 hours per week. RPB LTD coverage is available to all employees of URJ-affiliated congregations who work at least 18 hours per week, unlike the pension and life insurance programs, which have restrictive eligibility criteria.

The RPB LTD plan provides income replacement insurance to participants in the event they become disabled and are not able to work. Statistically, an individual is much more likely to be disabled than to die during his/her working years, making LTD coverage a critical necessity for plan participants. Having adequate income replacement coverage provides important protection in the event a participant has a disabling injury or illness.

The RPB offers two open enrollment periods for LTD per year:

• Annual: Open enrollment period begins in November and ends on December 31.
• Semi-annual: Open enrollment period begins in July and ends on August 31.

The RPB LTD program runs on a calendar year schedule; coverage is from January – December of each year. The RPB sends renewal invoices for LTD coverage directly to LTD participants in November of each year for coverage for the following year. We notify congregations that we have sent the renewal invoices to the participants simultaneously so that they are informed as well.

Benefits are tax-free when the employee pays the premium with post-tax dollars. Benefits are taxable income if the employer pays the premium with pre-tax dollars unless the amount of the premium is deducted from the employee’s salary as a post-tax deduction.