It's what we've been dreading--UPDATE pg 3

[RitaZ.]

Minky~ Are you certain that he can't keep his life insurance policy? When DH left his first employer for another job, he was allowed to keep his life insurance policy. Years later the company was bought by another company and we still have the policy. We are billed twice a year by the insurer. Look into it.

Good luck with everything.

 

[stinkerbelle's mom]

So sorry! Prayers are coming your way!

 

[Pooh Girl 71]

He has an auto-immune disease called sarcoidosis. Usually it's a pretty benign self-limited disease, but it has been very aggressive in him. He has it in his lungs(stage4, fibrosis), heart, joints and brain. The lung involvement is the worst--he only has about 40% lung capacity so he tires quickly. His stamina is limited and he takes 18 meds a day just to stay stable. Stress definitely makes everything worse. So far, DH has been ineligible for SS although since this happened, we may need to contact an attorney and see if we can pursue it more aggresively

I'm sorry to hear about this. I work with people with disabilities (voc rehab). The norm is for SSA to deny people 3 times before granting SSI/SSDI. Has your DH had a Functional Capacity Evaluation done? It's a series of tests to determine his stamina level. A Dr. has to write a prescription for it. It could help tremendously in getting SSDI.

 

[minnieandmickeymouse]

 

[tiff211]

 

[MsEeyore]

I'm so sorry and hope that better luck comes your way soon.

 

[mrsltg]

He has an auto-immune disease called sarcoidosis. Usually it's a pretty benign self-limited disease, but it has been very aggressive in him. He has it in his lungs(stage4, fibrosis), heart, joints and brain. The lung involvement is the worst--he only has about 40% lung capacity so he tires quickly. His stamina is limited and he takes 18 meds a day just to stay stable. Stress definitely makes everything worse. So far, DH has been ineligible for SS although since this happened, we may need to contact an attorney and see if we can pursue it more aggresively

Oh my gosh! He should definitely be on disability. Read the tag in your siggie to yourself - it is true. You can do anything!

Good luck

 

[mrsv98]

He has an auto-immune disease called sarcoidosis. Usually it's a pretty benign self-limited disease, but it has been very aggressive in him. He has it in his lungs(stage4, fibrosis), heart, joints and brain. The lung involvement is the worst--he only has about 40% lung capacity so he tires quickly. His stamina is limited and he takes 18 meds a day just to stay stable. Stress definitely makes everything worse. So far, DH has been ineligible for SS although since this happened, we may need to contact an attorney and see if we can pursue it more aggresively

In IL, to get LTD, you basically have to have lawyer involvement. If you apply on your own, 99.9% of the time, you are turned down. OTOH, with a lawyer your chances are much better but it does take time. My DMom has a laundry list of medical issues and in December was finally approved for disability after 42 months of waiting. It has been a long haul but at least she will get a nice backdated check.

Good luck to you and your DH.

 

[ZipaDeeDooDah]

 

[The Mystery Machine]

 

[paigevz]

Aw, minkydog, I''m sorry. That stinks.

Dh is beginning to have trouble getting his work done............I think we may have this issue ourselves before long..........

 

[minkydog]

Holy cow! I took DH out for breakfast and when i came back this is up to page 3! Thank you all for so much support. I really appreciate the lift.

DH is talking to HR now, trying to get that ball rolling. I'm not sure about the life insurance, but he's very savvy about that stuff. I'm sure he will push for as many benefits as possible. His employer is in the position of having let go a long-time employee with chronic health problems--they are stepping very carefully through this with him. I'm sure they understand how badly this could go for them.

About a year or so ago the company "restructured" his department. He told me then it was the beginning of the end of the road for him. Gradually his assignments have been changed and he was put on "special projects"--very few return from that place Apparently all those projects ran out and they just don't have a place for him anymore. On their behalf I have to say, the company has been very flexible. He has been hospitalized 5 times over the last 3yrs and each time requires several months recovery time. I guess they just feel they can't continue to carry him. It's too bad. He knows where the bodies are buried.

Update--
DH just got off the phone with HR. Apparently they will be offering him a choice of either a one-time severance package(we don't know the details of that, but he estimates it would be 2yrs salary in cash--a big chunk of change) or long-term disability, full life insurance & health benefits, with the option of full retirement with full pension at age 55 (he's 50 now). the only caveat is that if he goes into remission at some point, he will lose the LTD and will not have any severance.

If by a miracle he recovers in the next few years, he will still be an over-50yo man with a hot health history and no recent work experience. It's a chance I think we should take. I'm thinking LTD is the way to go. It would cover 70% of his current pay and allow him to keep his life insurance, a $250,000 policy. It would beat SSDI by a mile any way you slice it. Plus he would continue to accrue years toward his pension. Potentially, if he chooses not to retire until age 65, we could be talking about 15yrs of LTD (assuming he lives that long )

 

[Sandy V.]

I'm very sorry. Best wishes to you and your family. At least the company is offering some decent options. I agree with you; the second one seems like the better choice.

 

[mickeysgal]

Best wishes to you and your DH. I'm happy to hear the company is offering you something. All too often, they just give the employee the boot with Cobra and thats it. You have some very decent choices in hand and that should give you some comfort.

 

[arminnie]

I'm thinking LTD is the way to go. It would cover 70% of his current pay and allow him to keep his life insurance, a $250,000 policy. It would beat SSDI by a mile any way you slice it. Plus he would continue to accrue years toward his pension. Potentially, if he chooses not to retire until age 65, we could be talking about 15yrs of LTD (assuming he lives that long )

FYI - Many LTD policies offered via an employer require the employee to apply for SSD after a year or two.

That is not necessarily a bad thing. If SSD is granted medicare is automatically available as secondary to the primary insurance. The LTD is offset by the amount of SSD (which is why the LTD provider often requires it to be sought), but not all of SSD is taxed = more after tax income. If the employer has been providing the premiums for LTD then the amount received is taxed as ordinary income.

Also SSD is based on his earnings to date. If he does not take SS for 15 years there is the possibility of 15 years of zero income being used in the calculation of benefits.

I would not worry about his re-entering the job market after being out for a few years if he totally recovers (which I hope he does). I have not worked for 5 years now (retired at 55), and I get approached by people all of the time feeling out if I want to work again - and I am in Little Rock, AR not exactly a work hot spot. And I am OLD.

It sounds like a great deal for your family. Maybe the pressure of not having to go to work will help him recover. Best wishes.

 

[paigevz]

Update--
DH just got off the phone with HR. Apparently they will be offering him a choice of either a one-time severance package(we don't know the details of that, but he estimates it would be 2yrs salary in cash--a big chunk of change) or long-term disability, full life insurance & health benefits, with the option of full retirement with full pension at age 55 (he's 50 now). the only caveat is that if he goes into remission at some point, he will lose the LTD and will not have any severance.

If by a miracle he recovers in the next few years, he will still be an over-50yo man with a hot health history and no recent work experience. It's a chance I think we should take. I'm thinking LTD is the way to go. It would cover 70% of his current pay and allow him to keep his life insurance, a $250,000 policy. It would beat SSDI by a mile any way you slice it. Plus he would continue to accrue years toward his pension. Potentially, if he chooses not to retire until age 65, we could be talking about 15yrs of LTD (assuming he lives that long )

Minkydog, I agree take the chance with the LTD. It would be a better deal all the way around, and if the miracle occurs, you'll figure the rest out then...........and that will be such a much smaller problem than the ones you've faced so far.

 

[Saphire]

Hoping it all works out for you and DH, minkydog. It sounds like you have some good options to consider! Best wishes.

 

[helenabear]

I'm sorry you are going through all of this... it sounds like you have some good options ahead of you though

 

[barkley]

sounds like they've given you some good options to consider. i'm hoping when you say that they will give him ltd that means they are guaranteeing it-not that he will have it, and have to go through the entire process to apply and have it granted (if so make sure to check out the waiting period and the qualifications-it's not unusual to have up to a 90 waiting period after the last day a doctor states you are unable to work before you qualify to even apply). mine realy ended up being less than i anticipated because when they looked at my 'current salary' they looked at how much i actualy earned in the year preceding the disabling incident-and that was greatly reduced by virtue of missed days due to hospitalizations but being able to keep health care is great (i'm hoping they are giving it to him at active or retiree cost vs. the higher cobra rates).

sounds like you're getting all your ducks in a row-good luck.

 

[KTSMOM]

FYI - Many LTD policies offered via an employer require the employee to apply for SSD after a year or two.

That is not necessarily a bad thing. If SSD is granted medicare is automatically available as secondary to the primary insurance. The LTD is offset by the amount of SSD (which is why the LTD provider often requires it to be sought), but not all of SSD is taxed = more after tax income. If the employer has been providing the premiums for LTD then the amount received is taxed as ordinary income.

Also SSD is based on his earnings to date. If he does not take SS for 15 years there is the possibility of 15 years of zero income being used in the calculation of benefits.

I would not worry about his re-entering the job market after being out for a few years if he totally recovers (which I hope he does). I have not worked for 5 years now (retired at 55), and I get approached by people all of the time feeling out if I want to work again - and I am in Little Rock, AR not exactly a work hot spot. And I am OLD.

It sounds like a great deal for your family. Maybe the pressure of not having to go to work will help him recover. Best wishes.

The OP is right about this. I would check with his HR dept to determine if the LTD company is one of those that requires you to file for SSD. Also, if they do require him to file, ask them how long he has until they will reduce his LTD. Then call your local social security office to find out how long it will take to get a claim through. I know here in NC it can take up to 3 years to get a claim through depending on a lot of factors. I am a paralegal for a law firm that only handles SSD cases and I used to work for disability, so if you have any questions about this, please feel free to pm me.