The loss of income due to illness or injury can cause serious financial hardship for your family. Disability benefits provide income protection if you become disabled as a result of a non-occupational injury or illness and are unable to work.
As a valued Sonos employee, we want you to be informed and prepared in the event you should require disability leave. Consult the Disability Leave Guide for the information you need prior to your leave and upon your return to work.
Sonos provides basic STD insurance at no cost to you.
| Administered by New York Life (New for 2024: Lincoln Financial) | |
|---|---|
| Weekly Benefit | 66.67% of your weekly pre-disability earnings + salary continuation from Sonos to provide a total of 100% weekly disability earnings |
| Waiting Period | Accident: None; benefits begin on the 1st day Illness: Benefits begin on the 8th calendar day Note: Available sick time is applied to cover your waiting period, if applicable. If you have exhausted your sick time balance, the waiting period will be unpaid. |
| Maximum Benefit Period | 2023: 13 weeks (accident) or 12 weeks (illness) 2024: 90 days |
| Benefits end when you terminate employment or retire. | |
Your Sonos disability benefits will coordinate with the Sonos salary continuation plan and any state disability benefits available. You’ll be responsible for filing any claims directly with New York Life (or Lincoln Financial in 2024). All disability leave requests should be communicated to the Human Resources Department as soon as possible.
Sonos provides basic LTD insurance at no cost to you. However, because your coverage is company paid, basic LTD benefits are always taxable.
| Administered by New York Life (New for 2024: Lincoln Financial) | |
|---|---|
| Benefit Coverage | Your benefits will begin 90 days following a sickness or accidental injury |
| Monthly Benefit | 66.67% of your monthly pre-disability earnings |
| Maximum Benefit | $10,000/month |
| Definition of Disability | You may be eligible for disability benefits if you are unable to perform the material duties of your own regular occupation and you are unable to earn 80% or more from working in your own regular occupation. |
| Imputed Income | Your long-term disability benefit of up to $10,000 per month will remain the same. However, Sonos will be imputing the cost of coverage. This means you pay for coverage now with after-tax dollars from your paychecks, so that LTD benefits will not be taxable if you become disabled. |
Income From Other Sources – Impact to Your STD and LTD Benefits
If you receive any income from other sources, your STD and LTD disability benefits will be reduced so that your benefits from all sources do not exceed 100% of your base pay. Examples of other income include, but are not limited to:
- Pension benefits
- Unemployment compensation
- Workers’ compensation
- Statutory disability benefits
- Social Security retirement income
- Sonos salary continuation
The list above includes some of the more common sources of deductible income; it excludes other income benefits that are payable to your spouse, children, and dependents due to your disability or retirement.
Employees in Washington state pay up to a maximum 0.58% of annual wages through payroll taxes into a state fund for Long-Term Care (LTC) insurance benefits. These payments are withheld quarterly by Sonos. Long-term care insurance helps cover the costs of care when you have a chronic medical condition, a disability, or a disorder such as Alzheimer’s disease. This includes coverage for care given at a variety of places such your home, a nursing home, an assisted living facility, or an adult day care center.
In order to qualify for the state-funded LTC benefits, employees must pay into the program for three of the past six years or a total of 10 years (five of which must be consecutive). This program provides up to $36,500 in lifetime benefits (up to $100/day). At the time of claim, employees must be a Washington resident and receive care within the state. The first claim for benefits can begin on July 2026.
If you have private LTC insurance coverage, you may opt out of the Washington's state program. To learn more and explore options, you can visit www.mercerltc.com.