Originally Posted by Jetjok

DLax,

As an example, say a 56 year old goes out. He will be allowed 5 years (it might have changed now, because of the age 65 rule, but I DON'T KNOW for sure) of LTD, whereas a guy 45 would get 15 years before he had to retire. The idea I believe is that if you're still on property past your 60th birthday, they give you 5 years of LTD from the date you went out. For those younger, you get LTD until your 60th birthday, then you must retire. We have a pilot whose still on LTD, and has been, since I got here in 1990. He obviously went out well prior to his 60th birthday.

As for the FEDEX MEC LTD Supplemental Insurance Plan, I personally don't have it, but thanks for the information about the open enrollment period. Hopefully those who have this insurance will take advantage of the age change if they decide to continue to work.

Yes, without question, the LTD is a tremendous benefit to those of us who cannot work and are under the legal retirement age of 60 AND who have not reached their 25 years of service. For those who have reached their 25 years, it's still a nice benefit, depending on how much they would make if they elected to retire and take their normal retirement. You must remember that the company pays you 60% (on LTD) for the first two years and then it drops to 50% for the remainder of your LTD, where the payment is based on the average of your highest 12 months, IN THE LAST 3 YEARS. So it's conceivable that someone could have had a higher high 5, which didn't include the last 3 years, and so they might be taking a large pay cut, to stay on LTD.

Suppose you have a guy who was a captain, for perhaps 10 years, until he couldn't hold a First Class medical, so he's been in the back seat for the past 3 years. In this case, he'd be getting much less on LTD than he would if he retired, especially if he had his 25 years. If he didn't, it might serve him to stay until he had to retire, so that he would increase his years of service, which would be seen in his retirement pay. I'd recommend speaking with the folks in Employee Benefits to get a true handle on this LTD stuff.

JJ