SSDI IS an offset on the UCH plan -SS family disability doesn't apply to me since my wife works and my children are grown. I had to apply for SSDI after being out on LTD for 8 months. Still waiting for a response from SS, but if rejected, the UCH plan administrator (Harvey Watt) will 'assist' me in reapplying for SSDI. While UCH's LTD is self-insurance, it's administered by Harvey Watt. There is zero benefit to me for applying for SSDI; it will be taxable income.

The calculation for LTD is 50% x 85,5 hrs x your hourly pay at time of LTD. Max $8K/mo. This is post-tax payments. Since it's post-tax payments, it should be enough of an offset from your lost income.

The thing that I would like is DC plan contributions, but that's not something one needs to get through dark times after losing your medical.


As for the larger discussion, anyone who drops LTD is insane.


My story: I'm a LUAL double furloughee (over 50 years old) who went to work at LCAL Mar 12. My doctor ordered me a PSA test Nov 12. Numbers came in just below 10. My AF retirement physical in Aug 10, my PSA was ~1.7.

Had biopsy mid-Dec and it came back positive for prostate cancer. Went on LTD in late Dec.
There is a 90 day waiting period to receive benefits. Burned up all of my sick leave and (was forwarded earned) vacation time in Jan. Went without pay Feb and Mar (mil retiree; easy enough for me to survive since I've always lived below my means). I had >125 hrs of sick leave from LUAL but they wouldn't let me burn it.

Since April, I have been receiving LTD pay of just under $5K/mo. All post-tax.

Had my prostate removed in May and had to deal with incontinence (still some issues there). Currently undergoing radiation treatment since cancer was found 'at the margins' when the biopsy was done on my prostate. Won't be done with radiation treatment until ~Christmas.

I will have to wait 6 weeks after completion of radiation treatment, with a zero PSA, prior to applying for a Special Issuance medical. I've been told it takes ~6 weeks to get a Special Issuance. So I won't be back until at least mid-March. That's 11 1/2 months of $5K/mo; $57,500 post-tax.

Just to toss in some more math. Assuming that the SS admin approves my SSDI application, I'll get ~$2200/mo taxable which will be subtracted from my LTD pay. I'm in the 28% marginal tax bracket so that would net me $1584/mo after taxes. $1584 x 11.5 = $18,216.00

So if I get SSDI, I will have received $57,500 - $18,216 = $39,214 in post-tax benefits from LTD. I can't currently open my previous pay statements on Flying Together (UCH website) but I think I paid just over $100/mo post-tax monthly for LTD. Even if SSDI pays me, I will never pay back the amount I will have received from LTD benefits before I retire.

I bank all of my LTD payments every month into savings, but if you need your paycheck to live on, you are insane if you do not have LTD.

I hope this clarifies anyone's decision on whether or not to keep company LTD. Read section 24-H of the contract so that you understand fully the LTD plan. Our current LTD plan's not perfect but it's a must-have.