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My neurologist and I decided that I would cut back to 80% of full-time at my job because of disease progression. She has documented this as a recommendation, which I will take to my human resources manager to initiate the process of cutting hours. From the point at which I declare partial disability, I need to wait 6 months until the disability insurance plan kicks in. Fortunately, I have accumulated a lot of PTO (paid time off) hours, so will use that as a resource to maintain my income level. Six months from now, the disability insurance will pay the difference between the 80 and 100% of salary at the time of disability--actually, there's a formula they use, but the net result is that my income stays roughly the same. By staying at or above 80% of full time, I also retain my health benefits (and those of my family too). That seems workable for now. So Linda, I wouldn't say that I am unilaterally choosing to cut back on hours (referring back to your e-mail from this past weekend). It is being done more in conjunction with my neurologist's recommendation and support because I am in fact unable to work a full-time schedule. Oh I could sit at my desk for the last 3 hours of the day, I think, at least for a while, but nothing would get done. Although I am not officially (or even unofficially) disabled, I qualify for disability benefits to maintain my income level during the period of lessability. My particular insurance plan, which my employer pays for, actually rewards those who try and are able to gradually withdraw from working, as opposed to going from full-time employment to retirement in one swell foop. With PD, this is a very realistic path to follow, and in fact acknowledges the concept, if not the terminology, of lessability. Still, it is a major step. I have to talk to my supervisor and tell him the situation this week. He knows I have Parkinson's, and probably is more observant about my performance and health than I realize. I anticipate a supportive response. Take care everybody, Rick 50 years old, dx 1997 -----Original Message----- From: Linda J Herman [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Saturday, October 20, 2001 6:36 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: cutting back on work / Cross-Roads Im hoping we can continue the list discussion about cutting back on work hours/ retiring. People have raised some important issues, that i think applies to many of us. Carol Hercun wrote: <<As one who is also progressing (?) on that road from lessability to disability and wondering where all the road signs are, I also find the List a lifeline....>> Also - if one chooses to either cut back on hours or quit a job, due to "lessability" before being officially declared disabled, what effect could this have on later entitlement to social security or other disability benefits? Are there any suggested guidelines for going about this, so as not to jeopardize future entitlement or benefits? Thanks for any responses, Linda ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn