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Can my LTD benefit be reduced dollar for dollar by CPP Disability amounts if my benefits policy states that I am allowed to earn up to 85% (taxable) of my pre-disability basic earnings?
This is what the policy states:
"Here is how we calculate your Long-Term Disability payments. All references to income in this disability provision are to the gross amounts before any deductions.
Step 1: We take 66.67% of your monthly basic earnings up to a maximum of $5,000.
Step 2: We subtract any income provided to you:
Under a salary continuance program funded in whole or in part by the employer, as a result of your disability or a medical condition.
The result from Step 2 is the amount you will normally receive.
If this amount plus the above sources of income and all the additional sources of income listed below exceeds 85% of your pre-disability basic earnings, we will reduce your Long-Term Disability payment by the excess. If your benefit is non-taxable, the maximum will be 80% of your pre-disability basic earnings after income tax.
Additional sources of income provided to you:
Under any Workers' Compensation Act or similar law for another disability, excluding any automatic cost-of-living increases that occur after benefits begin.
Under any Criminal Injuries Compensation Act or similar law, where allowed by law.
For the same or a subsequent disability under any government-sponsored plan, excluding dependent benefits, employment insurance benefits and automatic cost-of-living increases under any government-sponsored plan that occur after benefits begin.
For the same or a subsequent disability under any Workers' Compensation Act or similar law, excluding automatic cost-of-living increases that occur after benefits begin.
Under a motor vehicle insurance plan which provides disability benefits to the extent that the law does not prohibit such a deduction.
Under a group plan, including any coverage resulting from your membership in an association of any kind.
Under the Québec Parental Insurance Plan.
If you are eligible for any of the income amounts above and do not apply for them, we will still consider them part of your income. We can estimate those benefits and use those amounts when we calculate your payments."
My pre-disability earnings were $90,337 per year.
Thank you for your guidance and any information you can provide.
Typically CPPD reduces your LTD entitlement but it is important to review your LTD policy as a whole and examine any other relevant provisions in it to determine your full entitlements. Please contact us directly and privately at our number or email below, and we will be happy to review your policy and discuss this question, and any other questions you may have pertaining to your long term disability situation, at no charge.