would you do this?

[FLA]

my lawyer friends and my SSDI lawyer warned me that the Long Term Disability offered through my job is notoriously crappy, they are supposed to supplement your SSDI until age 65, they are supposed to "carry" you through the time waiting for SSDI (but then you have to pay them when you get your SSDI settlement), so really if you get it, it's a nice thing to have IF it continues because I think I could get $900 a month to supplement SSDI. But everyone, including my case manager at the actual company, lol, are telling me to count on nothing, that it can end with one day's notice. Basically if you can breathe, you can work. So everyone was shocked that I got it, no matter how temporary it may be.

So the company offers perks, the first being a someone to "help" you get SSDI, but they are not lawyers. Passed on that.

Now I got a letter offering a bunch of stuff, wt loss management (I am interested in this), tobacco cessation, discount on a gym, vision care (I didn't get this when working and because of visual deficits, just my lenses cost $1800!), identity theft, free help to make a will and free access to a financial planner for 90 days after acceptance so that doesn't have a much time left, $20 a month after 90 days. And then there is this confusing part, "you can have these services even if you are not on disability". WTH? You do not receive the LTD benefit but you can have their inexpensive services? That makes no sense, right?

I'm always up for a financial planner when it says in black and white they will not try to sell you investment products.

But if you think about this even for a second, who would be so stupid as to claim they need LTD but they are able to go to the gym this policy is offering? And while a third opinion on my financial situation and how to best use or not use retirement funds would be welcome, the company would then know the size of my retirement accounts. I don't think it's in my best interest for them to know that, right? Same with getting free help to do a will- they would know too much about me, IMHO.

And then that they offer all this even if you don't get LTD, I cannot understand that. The company is Cigna. And it says in the letter, these are benefits of their company, they have nothing to do with my former employer.

Do you guys think I should keep my cards close to my vest and not take advantage of these offers? They sound way too good to be true, IMO.

[disneysteve]

who would be so stupid as to claim they need LTD but they are able to go to the gym this policy is offering?

I don't see an issue with that. Just because someone is unable to work doesn't mean they're bedridden. Virtually everyone can, and should, exercise regularly to the extent that they are able.

[FLA]

I don't see an issue with that. Just because someone is unable to work doesn't mean they're bedridden. Virtually everyone can, and should, exercise regularly to the extent that they are able.

but their reputation is if you can lick envelopes from your bed, you can work and you get kicked off. So if you can use a gym, how can you say there is no work you can possibly do? it's not an own occupation policy, so if you can workout there is probably some job you can do, telemarketing or something. I can't begin to go to a gym, so it's a non-issue.

It just seems so strange, all of it. Especially the part that these benefits are not dependent on you receiving their LTD. I have to call, I'm not getting why they would offer this to those who aren't even under their care.