Section 31IAC5-9-21. Continuation of benefits

   (a) Group health, dental, vision, and life insurance will be continued in force for employees on short-term and long-term disability. Employee contributions toward the premiums shall be deducted from the disability payments.

  (b) An employee who qualifies for the short-term or long-term disability program but whose benefits would be zero (0) because of the offset provisions of section 22 of this rule shall receive a guaranteed minimum benefit sufficient to make the employee contribution to group medical, dental, vision, and life insurance offered by the state that the employee was enrolled in at the time the disability began.

  (c) The long-term disability premium contribution shall be waived for employees receiving the long-term disability benefit.

  (d) No sick, vacation, personal, or other paid leave accrues while the employee is on short-term or long-term disability.

  (e) Time spent on short-term or long-term disability is credited as service for retirement fund purposes.

  (f) Retirement fund benefits will be calculated only once while the employee is on short-term or long-term disability. Retirement fund benefits will not be recalculated until the short-term and long-term disability benefits cease. However, any increases in benefits granted by the Indiana general assembly will increase the employee's pension payments. (State Personnel Department; 31 IAC 5-9-21; filed May 10, 2012, 2:32 p.m.: 20120606-IR-031110446FRA)