DLax85

So they pay LTD until 67 even though one can no longer fly as a crew member at Fedex past 65...???

I thought one would just be converted to our normal A fund retirement plan at that point

???

MaydayMark

I'm not so sure about that JJ. When I went out on LTD the ALPA benefit folks said to expect to remain on LTD until I turned 65 and retired?

Corkscrew

I would still appreciate it if someone could answer the original question, as I have been awarded a line that has this actual scenario.

FDXLAG

I think you need to lay out your complete bio to get a comprehensive answer or call the union people listed above.

Jetjok

Like I said in my earlier post, if you go out on LTD after your 60th birthday, the company will keep you on LTD for 5 years from the date you went out, unless they've changed their policy since I had my heart thing back in 2007. I was 61 at the time and the company continued to send me checks until I was almost 67. When I called them to confirm that this was normal, they told me that, "yes, it's correct," and that I should expect them until 5 years from my original LTD start date.

golfandfly

JJ,

You could stay past 65 because we had FEs then and they weren't required to retire at any specific age.

I think you go on retirement at 65 now. My best guess...

Jetjok

golfandfly,

Nope. You could remain on LTD, not because the company had 3-seaters, but because you had started LTD after you had turned 60 and they graciously (believe it or not) allowed you to collect for 5 years from the LTD start date.

For all you doubting Thomas' out there, the below is directly from the Pilot Benefit Book (January 2013 edition), under the "Disability tab", under "LTD", under "When benefits end": it starts by saying "Your LTD benefits end when:", then there are 13 bullet points, of which the below is number 6. For those of you who care, but have an attention deficit disorder, the paragraph in question is on page D-9, directly in the middle of the page, right opposite the center clasp.

"You reach age 65 if your disability commenced prior to 10/30/2006 and you are deemed to be totally disabled. If your disability commenced prior to October 30, 2006, began at age 60 or older, and you are deemed to be totally disabled, disability benefits end after 5 years."

There you have it.

av8rdude

That's kinduva moot point, isn't it? Your disability would have had to start before 10/30/2006 AND you would have to have been over 60 at the time. That 5 years, at best case, would have ended in 2011.

Nowadays, the longest you can collect from the FedEx LTD is 24 months, but it stops when you hit 65 or retire (plus some other circumstances). The max amount is $13,000 a month (max of $260,000 base amount, times 60%, divided by 12).

After you run out of LTD, you go on Supplementary Disability. It pays a max of $10,833 a month (max of $260,000 base amount, times 50%, divided by 12). As long as you continue to be disabled, it runs till you hit 65 or retire (plus the other circumstances referred to above).

Once you go on Supplementary Disability, it might make sense to stay on it till age 65 even if you could retire before then on a full pension (50%). That way, your health care premiums are at active employee rates and not retiree rates. And there are probably other benefits to still being an employee rather than a retiree as well. On the other hand, most can begin receiving Social Security if they retire at age 62 and that may offset the increase in health care premiums.

Disclaimer: This is just my 2¢ worth. Your mileage may vary. Consult your own financial advisor.

FXDX

Good info but the compensation limit is $250K not $260K for both FedEx plans, unless they have adjusted it upward.

Airbus flex

Does the company ( Fed Ex ) reduce your LTD benefit if you receive
disability insurance payments?