LTD Offsets Explained: How Social Security, Workers’ Comp, and Pensions Reduce Your Benefits
If you receive Long-Term Disability (LTD) benefits through a private insurance policy, you might be surprised to learn that those monthly payments can be reduced, or “offset” by other income you receive. These offsets often catch people off guard and can make financial planning difficult. Understanding how offsets work can help you anticipate changes to your income and avoid unpleasant...
How to Win Disability Benefits for COPD
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD, can qualify you for disability benefits if your condition prevents you from working. However, obtaining disability benefits for COPD can be a challenge due to a lack of documentation or proof that you cannot work. For a start, the American Lung Association states that COPD can often be treated to improve symptoms and quality...
VA Disability and Sleep Apnea: What Veterans Need to Know in 2025
For many veterans, getting a good night’s sleep can be a constant struggle. Snoring, gasping for air, and waking up exhausted are more than just signs of aging, they can point to sleep apnea, a serious medical condition that can also qualify for VA disability benefits. At Marc Whitehead & Associates, we help veterans across the country secure the benefits...
Understanding the Roles of Primary and Contingent Beneficiaries in Your Estate Plan
Estate planning is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your loved ones and ensure your wishes are carried out after you’re gone. A key part of that process is naming your beneficiaries, the people or organizations who will receive your assets. But it’s not enough to simply name one beneficiary. To make sure your plan...
Disability Benefits and Divorce: What Spouses Should Know
Divorce can be stressful enough without worrying about how it might affect your financial security. For individuals receiving disability benefits, whether through Social Security, the VA, or a private insurance policy, understanding what happens to those benefits during and after a divorce is crucial. Social Security Disability (SSDI) and Divorce If you receive SSDI based on your own work record,...
The Role of Age in Social Security Disability Decisions: Grid Rules Explained Simply
When you apply for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits, your age can play a major role in whether your claim is approved. This surprises many people — but for older workers, it can actually work in their favor. The Social Security Administration (SSA) recognizes that as we age, it becomes more difficult to adapt to new types of work or...
How Social Media Can Affect Your Long Term Disability Benefits
In today’s world, social media is part of everyday life. Many people use Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or X (formerly Twitter) to share updates, stay connected, and express themselves. But if you are receiving or applying for long-term disability (LTD) benefits, what you post online could come back to haunt you. Insurance Companies Are Watching When you file a disability claim,...
What Is a Revocable Living Trust, And How Do You Get One in Texas?
When planning for the future, many Texans think of a will as their main estate planning tool. But for some, a revocable living trust offers greater control, privacy, and ease — especially for those managing disability benefits or planning for long-term care. A revocable living trust is a legal arrangement that allows you to transfer ownership of your assets into...
Social Security and Mental Health: What Types of Evidence Help Most?
When you’re living with a mental health condition that makes it difficult, or impossible, to work, applying for Social Security Disability benefits can feel overwhelming. Unlike many physical disabilities, mental health conditions aren’t always visible. That’s why the Social Security Administration (SSA) relies heavily on solid medical and non-medical evidence to understand how your symptoms limit your daily life and...
SSA Sets the 2026 COLA Increase at 2.8% for Benefit Payments
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced that the 2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) increase for Social Security benefit recipients will be 2.8%. This yearly adjustment helps beneficiaries keep pace with inflation and rising living costs. The announcement, delayed 10 days due to the government shutdown, is based on third-quarter data from the Consumer Price Index, which measures the cost of...