AFLAC update and question

[vmars]

So I spoke to the rep and he told me that there is a 30 day waiting period so basically I can't get pg until May 1st. He also said I can't cancel until the next enrollment period which is April 1, 2014. The hospital plan (pays for when I am admitted into hospital to have baby - approx $1k) is $8.60 pre-tax bi-weekly. The STD is $23 after-tax bi-weekly (a $2,250 - $3,000 payout). WWYD? We are going to continue to ttc no matter what but dunno if we should take the risk. I signed up but have until tomorrow to pull the plug.

[simpsongal]

So the STD is about $600, and they'll pay out $2250-3000? And you would have to give birth before you drop the coverage on April 1 2014? Or would you have to give birth several weeks before April 1 2014 so you're covered continuously before you can drop the coverage?

[vmars]

Mar 27, 2013 14:13:24 GMT -5 simpsongal said:

So the STD is about $600, and they'll pay out $2250-3000? And you would have to give birth before you drop the coverage on April 1 2014? Or would you have to give birth several weeks before April 1 2014 so you're covered continuously before you can drop the coverage?

Coverage is based on when you conceive and I can't conceive within 30 days of the effective date of the policy. Also, that's a good point and I am not sure what happens if I give birth in march do I have to pay past April 1st? I am Guessing so. I am leaning towards just the hospital plan bc it's cheap and can cancel in April if I Don't use it

[simpsongal]

Other question - do you have accrued vacation and sick time that you could use for maternity leave?

If you got PG right away in May, you'd be due in Jan/Feb. That puts quite a bit of pressure to get KU quickly. I'd probably be prepared to pay for two years if you decide to pay for the STD.

[vmars]

Mar 27, 2013 14:51:01 GMT -5 simpsongal said:

Other question - do you have accrued vacation and sick time that you could use for maternity leave?

If you got PG right away in May, you'd be due in Jan/Feb. That puts quite a bit of pressure to get KU quickly. I'd probably be prepared to pay for two years if you decide to pay for the STD.

Yes but not quite sure how it works I know I have to take it but idk if I give birth in December if I have to take my new time that I get in January. So far I only have 11 days left for this year and we can't really accrue time off we basically use it or lose it.

[vmars]

Mar 27, 2013 15:38:52 GMT -5 AutumnRose25 said:

this seems like a lot of stressing for something that hasn't even happened yet....

That said, the rates don't seem ridiculous, about $60 monthly total right?

So if you want it (which it seems you do) and you can afford it then just get it.

I am not stressed just need another perspective an Simpson brought up some points I never thought about. I think I will go for the hospital but forego the std because if I have to pay for 2 years its not much of a benefit anymore and too much risk. I'd rather save for disability myself.

[awick14]

If you forgo the STD. (Which it sounds like you will) put that $60 a month into savings and if it takes you two years to get pregnant you will have some money saved that you would have spent on the std.

[vmars]

Mar 27, 2013 16:14:13 GMT -5 TR said:

I'd take the risk. Even at the low end of the STD payout, you could pay into it for 4 years and still get more in benefits than you've paid in.

With the hospital plan you could pay in for 5 years before you'd be overpaying your benefit.

But I would absolutely NOT TTC until the you should because otherwise you're tied in to paying for a year for nothing.

Yeah, see that's why I def. don't want to do the STD now that I think about it more b/c I don't want to stop TTCing. I feel like the hospital plan is pretty cheap so even if I end up paying a year & get nothing it's not too much OOP, but if I do get PG in May/beyond I can cancel it before the next enrollment date. 

[simpsongal]

Glad we could offer some additional perspective. I would just do the best you can to save. If you intend to go back to work (it soudns like you do) there must be some cushion in your budget to cover daycare. I would just try to save that amount during the pregnancy months to help with your time off.

Definitely find out the specifics of your leave policy. Feds have use or lose but there are ways to get around that (e.g., time off awards don't count). After 5 years of federal service I've accrued enough leave to cover FMLA and maybe a few more weeks. I feel very fortunate though - FMLA was a great step forward 15-20 years ago, but a lot of people can't afford to go 12 weeks without a pay check.

We also have donated leave policies - you should ask if that's an option, just in case.

[vmars]

Mar 28, 2013 9:28:56 GMT -5 simpsongal said:

Glad we could offer some additional perspective. I would just do the best you can to save. If you intend to go back to work (it soudns like you do) there must be some cushion in your budget to cover daycare. I would just try to save that amount during the pregnancy months to help with your time off.

Definitely find out the specifics of your leave policy. Feds have use or lose but there are ways to get around that (e.g., time off awards don't count). After 5 years of federal service I've accrued enough leave to cover FMLA and maybe a few more weeks. I feel very fortunate though - FMLA was a great step forward 15-20 years ago, but a lot of people can't afford to go 12 weeks without a pay check.

We also have donated leave policies - you should ask if that's an option, just in case.

I will def go back to work but I def want to save up to take as much time as possible off (I think I can take a max of 18-20 weeks off). I can accrue leave time but only up to 10 days and it has to be used the following year. I won't accrue time off while I am out but when I get back I will have vaca time - i will earn 2.3 days per month. We already have a healthy e-fund so I know we will be okay no matter what.