Short-Term Disability Insurance Comparison (2026)

Short-term disability pays if you are unable to perform your job due to non-work-related accident or illness. The insurance cost is an after-tax deduction on your paycheck, while benefit payments are tax-free.

Unum

MetLife

Monthly cost $0.695 per $100 of salaryMonthly cost $0.25 per $100 of salary
Maximum payment duration up to 26 weeksMaximum payment duration up to 26 weeks 

Pays weekly benefit of lesser of

  • 70% of base weekly earnings
  • Option A $750 (max. salary $55,714)
  • Option B $1,500 (max. salary $111,430)
  • Option C $2,000 (max. salary $148,571)

Minimum benefit payment of $25

Pays weekly benefit of lesser of

  • 66.67% of base weekly earnings
  • $897.43

Minimum benefit payment of $67.31

STD Payment Reduction: Payments are not reduced by sick or vacation accruals or parental leave payments, allowing you to collect full disability benefits and sick, vacation, or parental leave pay at the same time.STD Payment Reduction: Payments are reduced by any sick or vacation accruals or parental leave payments. 

Benefits begin on

  • First day, if hospitalized for at least 24 hours.
  • First day for outpatient surgery.
  • 31st day if not admitted to the hospital.

Benefits begin on

  • First day, if disability is due to an accident.
  • 15th day, if disability is due to illness or pregnancy.
  • 30th day if you elect coverage after your initial new hire/eligibility enrollment period and if disability is due to illness or pregnancy.
Pre-existing condition exclusion Pre-existing condition exclusion for the first six months after initial election or after option level increase.

Pre-existing condition exclusion No pre-existing condition exclusion.

If you elect coverage after your initial new hire/eligibility enrollment period and become disabled during the first 12 months of being covered under the plan, your benefits will start on the 30th day of disability due to illness or pregnancy.