Disability Benefits

Disability Benefits and Salary Continuation Plan

As a benefits-eligible employee, you may be protected by disability or salary continuation benefits provided by the University. You may also choose to purchase a supplemental long term disability policy.

On this page:

Disability Benefits for Non-Exempt Employees

For information regarding disability and maternity leave benefits for non-exempt employees, please contact the University’s Office of Risk Management.

Salary Continuation for Faculty and Exempt Staff

The University’s Salary Continuation Plan for faculty and exempt staff provides benefits for qualifying short term disabilities, including maternity leaves and long term disabilities. There is no employee contribution required.

An exempt employee will be eligible for the following semimonthly payments from Syracuse University, which are taxable:

Period of Salary Continuation
Weeks 0 - 16100% of current salary*
Weeks 17 - 2660% of current salary*
Weeks 27 - 5250% of current salary*
Weeks 53+50% of current salary* if Social Security disability award has been granted before Week 53, and if the eligible employee has completed at least 12 months of active employment.
*Current salary as defined in the Salary Continuation Plan

The Salary Continuation Plan benefits will be reduced by Social Security disability benefits, Workers’ Compensation benefits and certain other payments specified in the Salary Continuation Plan document.

The Salary Continuation Plan has several other requirements that must be satisfied in order to receive benefits. Please review the Salary Continuation Plan document, which can be obtained by contacting HR Shared Services at 315.443.4042.

A period of coverage under the Salary Continuation Plan generally will be counted against allowable leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act.

To initiate a disability leave, please contact the Leave Administrator in the Office of Human Resources.

Supplemental Long Term Disability Policy

In addition to the University-provided disability benefits, benefits-eligible faculty and staff (both exempt and non-exempt) may purchase a voluntary Long Term Disability (LTD) Plan insured through The Standard.

Should you have any questions, or require accommodations to access any information on this webpage, please reach out to our HR Shared Services team at 315.443.4042.

Helpful Links


Every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained within this website is accurate. However, benefits are governed by legal documents (which, in certain circumstances, may include insurance contracts). If there is any difference between the information in this website and the official documents, the official documents will control. As is the case with all of Syracuse University’s employee benefit plans, the University reserves the right to modify or terminate these benefits at any time.