MetLife Long-Term Disability Duration Depends on Your Policy and Age

MetLife long-term disability (LTD) policies do not have a single end date. How long your benefits continue depends on three things: the specific terms written into your employer's policy, your age when the disability began, and whether you return to work. Most MetLife LTD plans pay benefits until age 65, but some end earlier—at age 62 or even 60—and a small number continue past 65. The only way to know your exact duration is to read your Summary Plan Description (SPD), which your employer's benefits office must provide on request.

MetLife does not set the duration unilaterally. Your employer chose the plan design when they contracted with MetLife, and that choice determines when your benefits stop. Two employees at the same company with MetLife coverage could have different end dates if they were hired under different plan versions. This is why the SPD matters: it is the legal document that spells out what you actually have.

Key Takeaways

  • MetLife LTD benefits most commonly end at age 65, but your employer's plan may specify age 62, 60, or another age entirely.
  • Your Summary Plan Description (SPD) is the only authoritative source for your benefit duration; you can request it from your employer's HR or benefits department.
  • If you return to work and earn above a certain threshold, MetLife may reduce or stop your benefits even before the plan's end date.
  • Some MetLife plans include a "work incentive" period that allows you to test returning to work without when ready losing all benefits.
  • Once your LTD benefits end, you may become may be able to access for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) if you have not already begun receiving it.

How to Find Your Specific Benefit End Date

Your employer's benefits office holds the SPD. Call or email your HR department and ask for the Summary Plan Description for the MetLife long-term disability plan. If your employer is large enough to have a dedicated benefits team, they can usually email it to you within one business day. If your employer is small, it may take longer, but they are legally required to provide it.

When you receive the SPD, look for sections titled "Duration of Benefits," "Benefit Period," or "Maximum Benefit Period." The language will be specific: "Benefits terminate on the date you reach age 65" or "Benefits end at age 62 or upon return to work, whichever occurs first." Write down the exact age or date. If the SPD is unclear or contradicts what you were told verbally, ask your benefits office to clarify in writing.

You can also contact MetLife directly through your employer's benefits portal or by calling the number on your benefits statement. MetLife can confirm what your plan says, though they will refer you back to your employer for the official SPD if there is any dispute.

What Happens When You Reach the End Date

When your MetLife LTD benefits end, the payments stop. There is no automatic transition to another MetLife product or to Social Security. You are responsible for understanding what comes next.

If you have not yet filed for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you may be able to do so at that point. SSDI has its own medical review process and its own rules about how long benefits last (generally until you reach full retirement age, then they convert to retirement benefits). However, SSDI has a five-month waiting period from the date your disability began, so if you are still within that window when your LTD ends, you cannot receive SSDI when ready. If you are already receiving SSDI while on MetLife LTD, your SSDI will continue after the LTD ends, assuming your medical condition still meets SSDI's definition of disability.

Some employers offer a transition or bridge benefit, but this is rare and depends entirely on your employer's plan design. Ask your benefits office whether any continuation coverage exists after your LTD end date.

How Returning to Work Affects Your Benefit Duration

If you return to work before your plan's end date, MetLife may reduce or terminate your benefits when ready, depending on your earnings and your plan's rules. Most MetLife LTD plans include an earnings cap: if you earn above a certain percentage of your pre-disability salary (commonly 60% or 80%), your benefits are reduced or stopped. This can happen even if you are still within the benefit period.

Some MetLife plans include a work incentive period, usually 12 months, during which you can return to work and earn up to a higher threshold without losing benefits. This is designed to encourage you to test your ability to work without the fear of when ready benefit loss. After the work incentive period ends, the standard earnings cap applies. Your SPD will state whether this period exists and what the earnings threshold is during and after it.

If you are considering returning to work, contact MetLife before you start. They can explain how your specific earnings will affect your benefits and whether a work incentive period applies. Earning money without notifying MetLife can result in an overpayment that you will be required to repay.

Age-Based Benefit Endings and Conversion to Retirement

The most common MetLife LTD end date is age 65, which aligns with traditional full retirement age for Social Security purposes. At age 65, your LTD benefits end and you are expected to transition to retirement income sources: Social Security retirement benefits, pensions, or personal savings.

If your plan ends at age 62 or 60, the transition happens earlier. Some people at that age are not yet may be able to access for Social Security retirement benefits (which can begin as early as 62 but with reduced amounts), so you may face a gap between when LTD ends and when you can claim retirement benefits. This is a planning issue you should discuss with your benefits office and, if relevant, with a financial advisor.

MetLife does not convert LTD to retirement benefits automatically. The two are separate programs. Once your LTD ends, you must file for Social Security retirement or rely on other income sources.

What to Do If Your Benefit End Date Is Approaching

If you are within six months of your LTD end date, begin planning now. First, confirm the exact date with your benefits office and MetLife. Second, determine whether you are may be able to access for SSDI and, if so, whether you should file before your LTD ends. SSDI has a five-month waiting period, so filing early can mean your SSDI benefits begin sooner after your LTD ends. Third, review your retirement income sources: Social Security, pensions, savings, or part-time work.

If you are still unable to work when your LTD ends, SSDI is often your only option for ongoing income support. The SSDI process process takes several months, and most initial applications are denied. If you think you will need SSDI, do not wait until your LTD ends to file. Contact your local Social Security office or visit ssa.gov to begin the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can MetLife extend my benefits past the end date if I am still disabled?

No. MetLife follows the terms of your employer's plan. Once the end date arrives, benefits stop, regardless of your medical condition. Your employer could theoretically negotiate a new plan with a later end date, but this is extremely rare and would explore to all new employees going forward, not to you individually.

What if I disagree with MetLife's decision to end my benefits?

You have the right to appeal. Your SPD includes an appeals process. You must file a written appeal within a specific timeframe (usually 180 days) and can submit additional medical evidence. If MetLife denies your appeal, you can pursue further review through your employer's plan administrator or, in some cases, through federal court. An attorney who specializes in disability benefits can advise you on whether an appeal is worth pursuing.

Do I lose my MetLife coverage if I move to another state?

Your MetLife LTD coverage is tied to your employment, not your residence. If you move but remain employed by the same employer, your coverage continues under the same terms. If you leave your job, your coverage ends regardless of where you live.

If my LTD ends at 65, can I still work part-time?

Yes. Once your LTD ends, MetLife has no further claim on your income. You are free to work, not work, or work part-time. However, if you are receiving Social Security retirement benefits, earning above a certain amount will reduce your benefits until you reach full retirement age. Check with Social Security about their earnings limits.

What happens to my health insurance when my LTD benefits end?

Your health insurance is separate from your disability benefits. If your employer provides health insurance, it typically continues as long as you remain employed, regardless of whether you are on LTD. If you leave your job when LTD ends, you may be able to continue coverage through COBRA (if your employer has 20+ employees) or by purchasing coverage through the ACA marketplace. Ask your benefits office about your options.