Disability and Life Insurance

Harvard offers disability benefits and life insurance to help you take care of yourself and provide for your family in the case of loss of income.

  • Some programs are provided at no cost, as long as you meet the eligibility criteria, while others are optional, with costs based your age and/or the amount of your coverage.
     
  • In addition, most employees are covered by workers’ compensation during their employment for work-related incidents causing injury or illness.

Effective March 20, 2024 - We Are Moving!

On March 20, Harvard Benefits will be moving to 124 Mount Auburn Street.

Our new location does not allow for unscheduled walk-in traffic, so in-person meetings will be by appointment only. We strongly encourage virtual Teams/Zoom appointments when possible.

Virtual and in-person appointments for faculty, staff, and retirees can be scheduled by calling 617-496-4001 or by emailing benefits@harvard.edu.

Coverage Options

Short Term Disability (STD)

Harvard provides eligible employees with STD benefits of up to 26 weeks in a 52-consecutive week period due to injury or illness. You do not need to enroll and there is no cost to you. Please refer to our STD Overview for more information.

Long-Term Disability (LTD)

LTD helps you replace your salary and protect your financial security if you are unable to work due to injury or illness for more than 180 calendar days. You must enroll in this benefit to be eligible to receive coverage. Please refer to our LTD Overview for more information. Harvard's carrier for STD and LTD is Lincoln Financial Group.

Disability claims prior to June 1, 2017: If you became disabled before June 1, 2017, your claim and benefits will continue to be handled through The Standard (Harvard's previous disability coverage carrier).

Life Insurance

Harvard provides eligible employees with Basic Coverage equal to one-half annual base salary. You do not need to enroll in this coverage. You may also purchase Supplemental Life Insurance for yourself as well as Dependent coverage for eligible dependents. Please refer to our Life Insurance Overview for more information. 

You must designate a beneficiary for your life insurance, which can be done online on the MetLife website; see Information on Designating/Updating Beneficiaries for details and learn more in these MetLife Online Beneficiary FAQs.

If you enroll in Supplemental Life Insurance, you and your spouse/domestic partner can access free will preparation and estate resolution/probate services as well as additional services. Call 800-821-6400; use group number 109929.

Harvard provides free Business Travel coverage if you die or are seriously injured or disabled as the result of an accident that occurs while you’re traveling on University business.

Long Term Care (LTC) Insurance

LTC insurance helps you and your family members pay for nursing or at-home care in case of chronic illness or physical or cognitive disability. Harvard provides access to group LTC insurance through Genworth Life Insurance Company. Other family members may also be eligible to apply for LTC. You can apply at any time, though evidence of insurability may be required. Please visit Genworth Life Insurance website for Harvard employees for full details. You will need to enter your name, email, state of residence, date of birth, and whether you are the employee, spouse/partner, or other family member. For future logins, you will just need to provide your name and email address.

 

Workers’ Compensation

This state-mandated program provides temporary income in the event you experience a work-related injury or illness that prevents you from performing your job. No enrollment is necessary for this coverage. The third-party administrator is PMA Companies.  Please refer to our Workers’ Compensation Overview for more information.