09/17/2026
Most group long term disability policies impose a serious downgrade two years into a claim.
And unfortunately, most people find out too late.
For the first 24 months, group LTD policies run on an own-occupation definition, which means if you cannot do YOUR job, the material and substantial duties of practicing law, you qualify for benefits.
After 2 years, it switches to an any-occupation definition, which means payments can stop if you can do any job at all.
Individual disability policies keep the own-occupation definition for life. Group policies almost never do.
Find that sentence in your certificate before you need it: search own occupation and any occupation.
Managing attorney, Edward Dabdoub joined Jamie Fleischner on Income Protection Journal Podcast to break down what professionals should understand about own occupation disability insurance policies.
https://setforlifeinsurance.com/own-occupation-vs-any-occupation-edward-dabdoub/
