This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

Hoping to get some constructive opinions from the bright minds on this board. Right now I have a good job with one of the world's largest companies and therefore have a great benefits package including long-term disability. In otherwords, if I become disabled I will still receive my salary until retirement (I'm 33 now). I have an opportunity to go work for a privately held, smaller company which would be a lot more fun, lot more money, but I won't be able to get the LT disability insurance now because I have a pre-existing condition. Currently I am asymptomatic and have only had a total of 2 exasperations over 6 years but I realize most start off mild and that could change tomorrow.

Do I take the job and roll the dice that the pharmas will figure this out in the next few years and come up with a decent med that halts progression? Or do I play it safe and keep working for the man?

Thanks to any who respond

Keep working for the man, just knowing you have ltd will help so much when things start to get worse. i got MS at 28 and went for years thinking i could do anything but now i am not working and am always counting my pennies. it makes somthing hard even harder. Rob

As far as LTD. Do you live in the states? IF so, this happened to me.
Check you companies policy on LTD, there may be a clause stating reducing disability benefit by the amount of social security benefits.
I did that buy up deal so I could get 66 2/3 % of my salary. Yea right.
I was expecting about $2400 a month. well when SSDI $1600 kicked in I had to repay $14000 back for overpayments on my LTD and even from when I was on short term disability. My LTD was adjusted to $800 a month. So check with your HR on this.

just look out for yourself,i think any company LTD no matter what % it is would be better than government help.

Thanks for the replies. Unfortunately I think I'm handcuffed by this disease and will indeed keep "working for the man" despite better opportunities. The thought of relying on the government as my sole source of income makes me cringe.

J

I also think that the fun you thought you would have with the new smaller company perhaps can be found elsewhere and without risking to loose your security. For us, stress is terrible so maybe trying to find such stimuli could be found elsewhere. Good luck. Some do not even have the prevelege of having this LTD so you can be one happy man... Carole