LTD Duration Limits

The CBA establishes different maximum benefit periods depending on your diagnosis. The classification of your condition — not just the diagnosis — determines when benefits end.

Duration by Condition Type

General Physical Disabilities

Duration (CBA Section 27.J.2)

Benefits continue until you recover and return to flying or reach age 65 — no fixed time limit for most physical conditions.

What Keeps Benefits Active

Benefits continue as long as:

• You meet the disability definition (own occupation for months 1-24; any occupation after month 24)
• You are under active medical care
• You meet cooperation requirements (CBA §27.J.4)

Age 65 Cutoff

LTD benefits cease at age 65 regardless of continued disability. Coordinate Social Security retirement and Medicare enrollment in advance — Medicare Part B enrollment has a limited open window.

Mental Health Conditions

60-Month Maximum (CBA Section 27.J.10)

"The duration of the LTD Plan benefits for mental disorders, as currently defined in the LTD Plan, shall remain at a maximum of 60 months."

Benefits end at 60 months even if you remain fully disabled.

What Qualifies as "Mental Disorder"

Typically included (DSM-defined):

• Major depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia
• PTSD if it is the primary disabling diagnosis
• Personality disorders, eating disorders

May be excluded (physical/neurological basis):

• Dementia
• Traumatic brain injury
• Neurological disorders with psychiatric symptoms

Mixed Diagnoses

The administrator determines which condition is the primary disabling condition:

Scenario 1: Mental health primary

Diagnoses: Depression (primary) + back pain (secondary)
Duration: 60-month limit applies

Scenario 2: Physical primary

Diagnoses: Back injury (primary) + depression (secondary)
Duration: No fixed limit (until recovery or age 65)

Scenario 3: Sequential conditions

Years 1-3: Back injury (physical disability)
Year 4: Depression develops as separate disabling condition
Duration: Depression gets its own 60-month clock from onset

Challenging a Mental Health Classification

1. Obtain medical documentation establishing the physical or neurological basis for your condition
2. Request neuropsychological testing if cognitive impairment is involved
3. Get an independent evaluation from a specialist (neurologist, physiatrist) — not just your treating psychiatrist
4. File an appeal of the classification decision through the administrator
5. Use the PBRB process if internal appeal fails

After 60 Months

• Apply for SSDI if not already awarded (applications take 12-24 months — apply no later than month 48)
• Review ALPA supplemental disability coverage if you enrolled
• Consult a vocational rehabilitation counselor if any partial work capacity exists

Substance Abuse Disabilities

Current Rule: 18-Month Maximum (CBA Section 27.J.11)

For disabilities beginning after November 2, 2015:

• Base period: 12 months at 60% of monthly earnings
• Extension: Up to 6 additional months if actively pursuing FAA recertification through HIMS

Total maximum: 18 months — a hard stop regardless of continued disability.

To Qualify for the 6-Month Extension

Must demonstrate active participation in:

• HIMS program enrollment with attendance records
• Required monitoring (drug testing, counseling)
• FAA Special Issuance process with AME correspondence
• Progress documentation submitted to the administrator

Legacy Rule: 26-Week Maximum

For disabilities beginning before November 2, 2015: maximum is 26 weeks with no extension.

After Benefits End (18 Months)

1. Return to work if FAA medical certificate has been restored through HIMS
2. SSDI if the condition prevents all substantial gainful activity and you qualify (file early — process takes 12-24 months)
3. ALPA supplemental disability if you enrolled before disability
4. Non-flying positions at FedEx or elsewhere if medically able

Timeline Examples

Example 1: Back Injury (General Physical)

Age at disability: 45
Condition: Herniated disc, unable to hold FAA first-class medical

Benefit timeline:
  Months 1-24:   60% of monthly earnings (own occupation standard)
  Months 25+:    50% of monthly earnings (any occupation standard)
  Until:         Recovery or age 65 (up to 20 years)

Example 2: Major Depression (Mental Health)

Age at disability: 50
Condition: Major depressive disorder

Benefit timeline:
  Months 1-24:   60% of monthly earnings
  Months 25-60:  50% of monthly earnings
  Month 61:      Benefits end — hard stop at 5 years
  Age at cutoff: 54 years, 2 months

Example 3: Alcohol Use Disorder (Substance Abuse)

Age at disability: 48
Condition: Alcohol dependence
HIMS participation: Yes

Benefit timeline:
  Months 1-12:   60% of monthly earnings (base period)
  Months 13-18:  60% of monthly earnings (HIMS extension)
  Month 19:      Benefits end regardless of certification status
  Age at cutoff: 49 years, 6 months

Example 4: Mixed Condition — Physical Primary

Age at disability: 52
Primary: Cardiac condition
Secondary: Anxiety disorder

Classification: Physical (primary)

Benefit timeline:
  Months 1-24:   60% of monthly earnings
  Months 25+:    50% of monthly earnings
  Until:         Recovery or age 65 (up to 13 years)

Note: Anxiety as secondary diagnosis does not trigger 60-month limit

Planning by Condition Type

Mental Health or Substance Abuse: Act Early

If Your Condition Is Misclassified

Challenging a classification from mental health to physical can be the difference between 5 years and benefits to age 65. If your condition has any physical or neurological component, obtain specialist documentation before the administrator's classification becomes final — correcting it after denial requires an appeal.

Appealing Duration Limit Decisions

1. Request the administrator's written explanation of your condition classification and the policy language used
2. Obtain independent specialist opinions that support a different classification
3. Submit an appeal with all supporting medical documentation within 180 days of the decision
4. Use the PBRB process if internal appeal fails (ALPA R&I: ri@alpa.org)

Related Topics

• Eligibility Triggers — when LTD begins
• Benefit Calculation — how much you'll receive
• Cooperation Requirements — what's required to maintain benefits