Better Short-Term Disability Benefits Coming in 2026

If you’re enrolled in SMART-TD’s Voluntary Short-Term Disability (VSTD) plan, an important change to your benefits is coming in the new year that means greater coverage for you and more money in your pocket.   
 
If you become disabled on or after January 1, 2026, the maximum weekly benefit payable by the plan will increase for both rail and bus members.  
 
Rail members will see an increase of $78 (19%), and bus members will see an increase of $60 (28%) per week.  

Monthly premium payments will not change, and the cost for coverage continues at the current rate. 

Rail Member Details ►

Bus Member Details ►

The benefit improvement constitutes a change to the schedule of benefits outlined on Page 1 of your Plan Booklet and Summary Plan Description. 
 
The VSTD plan is self-funded by SMART and provides a basic “safety net” of coverage for members that’s designed to work in combination with either Railroad Retirement Sickness Benefits or state-mandated disability programs.  
 
New SMART-TD members are automatically enrolled unless they choose to opt-out via a waiver that must be returned to headquarters, and the monthly cost of coverage is collected through payroll deduction. 
 
Questions about this announcement or any VSTD issues, please call the Plan office toll- free at (844) 880-1071.  
 
You can also find more VSTD information on the Member Portal by clicking on the box labeled “Short-Term Disability (VSTD).”