Our POD is superior to the ALPA plan and ALPA has nothing like PMA. You are on your own the first year of a disability. Ostensibly you just max out your credit cards or burn your emergency savings then replace it with the lump sum payout in 12 months. If you recover before then you get nothing.

Regarding PMA (just like POD) you are not required to take the maximum. If you don't like the rate increases and are building reasonable emergency savings on third year+ pay then feel free to select a lesser benefit amount.

On the flip side the layered options allow for 100%+ income replacement if fully utilized. Personally I appreciate that safety net and don't mind paying for it. Others are free to make different choices depending on their desires.

ALPA doesn't offer anywhere near 100% replacement for incomes much greater than $300k.