Question

Can Metlife reduce my LTD benefit due to SERP payments that were not paid to me (they went directly to FICA taxes)?

Asked on March 24th 2025 by Jim
My company's LTD policy with Metlife states that LTD payments will be reduced by the amount paid by the SERP plan. SERP started Aug 1st 2024 but first 5 payments went directly to paying FICA taxes. I didn't receive a penny nor any monthly earnings statement. MetLife sent me a letter saying I need to payback the sum of the payments I would have received from August 1st even though the money went directly to FICA. The amount calculated for FICA taxes is based on an assumption of the lump sum that is based on mortality estimates. Please ignore this inquiry if there is a cost associated with it. My understanding is that this inquiry is free of charge.

Answer

Answered on March 24th 2025 by Attorney Gregory Dell

Jim:
If this payment is a form of a retirement or pension payment then it is likely correct for Metlife to offset your long term disability benefit. You would need to read your long term disability policy language to confirm.