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These exertional standards are used to communicate your physical capacity for work. All occupations can be defined as exerting a certain level of physical activity. For example, the occupation of Secretary is considered by the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (published by the US Department of Labor) as "Sedentary" in functional capacity.
For ERISA claims, the problem is that the physical level you may actually be performing on your job is not the same functional level accepted in the national economy for the same occupation. For example, let's take the job of legal secretary. In a particular office, a secretary may be required to lift, and carry heavy law briefs and books up to 20-25 lbs, and is required to travel to different law firm locations and courthouses. Although the actual job is probably more "Light" in functional capacity, in the national economy the occupation of secretary is defined as "Sedentary". Now, the insurance company has what it refers to as "a job versus occ dilemma."
For most ERISA group LTD plans, the insurance company insures your occupation, not your job.1 This is probably one of the most difficult concepts for group LTD claimants to grasp: You may not be able to do your job, but you can do your occupation. Simply put, all disability insurers insure your occupation as it is performed by all other individuals in the national economy rather than how you are actually doing it FOR YOUR EMPOLOYER.
In my experience, most employees have not been told about the job versus occupation issue, and therefore it is believed by most that they are protected financially if unable to do their JOB. Not so. You are only protected if you are unable to perform your occupation as it is generally performed in the national economy.
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