Mostly because no matter what contract we have people will say to vote no and then cherry pick the things that other airlines have better and then only talk about those things. Even Contract 2000 had no voters. In retrospect, if we would have voted that down, we would have never got a contract.

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.

Andy,
I hope everything is good news from here on out.
Josh

Thanks; I'll be fine. Everyone encounters less than ideal circumstances from time to time in their lives. There are others who have faced much more adversity than me.

If anyone is balking at paying for LTD, keep in mind that it's not much different in price than what you pay for auto insurance.

Great points and hope you have a smooth recovery and get back to work soon.

In a situation like yours, all you should be thinking about is getting better. There are a number of pilots on disability with life threatening diseases or long waits for re-certification.

Under our plan, a pilot can get another job or work in the family business without working for free, by having their disability offset dollar for dollar.

I have a good friend at Delta that has a small disability and cannot get a side job or he loses the benefit due to offset. He does get a DC contribution, but he would rather be able to work on the side a little due to his meager disability payment.

Our plan does have the SSDI offset to keep plan expenses lower. Realistically, most LTD recipients won't qualify. The 8 month/SSDI issue is being addressed and will be an issue only if there is a reasonable chance of success.

The family disability is a huge deal for our pilots with young children. Being able to get that benefit in addition to the LTD benefit makes a substantial difference.

Good luck and hope you are back soon.