Place and Time: TBD
Dear Standard Insurance Company, all executives and employees,
Please save the date for my celebration of tomorrow and plan for
an exciting future.
Why January 31?
Way back, in February 2022, one of your disability benefits analysts
presented me with an offer regarding my long-term disability claim with your
company. I was honored that he would “like to offer an opportunity to settle
your claim in exchange for a lump-sum payment.”
It’s every little boy’s dream to be chosen for such an honored
opportunity, especially since “The Standard does not routinely settle LTD
claims for a number of reasons.” I won’t lie, I was tickled pink.
Unfortunately, after several rounds of misleading calculations
and not-so-veiled threats, like “we know that you write books” and “if you do not
accept the offer, you will still have to regularly validate your ongoing
disability (to prevent fraud)”, I was still unable to understand how you came
to the lump sum dollar amount presented. I’m pretty good at math, so it was odd
that my calculation was quite different. I said it was wrong — he said it was
right, showing me “the full three pages of the present value calculation
you received.”
I thanked him then showed him again, this time in detail, how his
calculations were wrong.
And the Truth Shall Set You Free!
Nevertheless, your determined analyst persevered, taking my
question regarding the deductible income adjustment to your actuarial
department.
Imagine his surprise when he found out that there was another
variable not included in “the full three pages of the present value
calculation!” I wonder if you can imagine my surprise; I can’t.
Apparently, “the present value calculation process incorporates
actuarial mortality assumptions.”
So, since your team did so much hard work and determined the correct
mortality assumptions for an individual living on disability with multiple
sclerosis, I figured I would take the baton and do some more of that math I
love so much.
By the calculation of your actuarial department, discounting for
the time value of money, my life expectancy is 131 additional months. I will be
dead by the end of January 2033, at the ripe old age of 61.
Let’s Just Pretend
I know your guys are smart, but please humor me for just a
moment. What if I become a medical wonder and exceed the medical expectations of
Standard Insurance Company’s actuarial department?
That would be nice. I would definitely want to celebrate.
Therefore, please save the date. When I’m not dead on January
31, 2033, I would like to celebrate with all my close family and friends, and
with my advocates at The Standard. There will be food, drinks, music, and lots
of celebration. I may even have a piece of cake!
In the Meantime
I have lots of party planning to do. Thank goodness I have 131
months. Formal invitations will follow as we get closer to the event.
In the meantime, here’s some wonderful reading for your
actuarial department about the life expectancy of individuals living with
multiple sclerosis. It was published in 2020 by the National Institutes of
Health, National Institute on Neurological Disorders and Stroke — Wow! Say that
five times fast with a mouthful of crackers.
“Multiple Sclerosis: Hope Through Research”
What is Multiple Sclerosis?
The disease is rarely fatal and most people with MS have a
normal life expectancy. New treatments can reduce long-term disability for many
people with MS. Currently there are still no cures and no clear ways to prevent
the disease from developing.
I have enough challenges to deal with daily, so please don’t try
to stack the deck against me more.
Please consider this an official decline of your opportunity.
I hope you’ll still come to my party!
Kevin
This
is not about what my life will be like when the fight is over.
I
will never stop…
I
will never quit…
This
is my story
Never
Stop… Never Quit…®
***
Please consider a donation to NEVER
STOP NEVER QUIT.
100% of your donation will directly
support our fight. We pay the cost of managing our foundation.
All donations are tax deductible to
the extent allowed by law. You will receive a receipt.
