Phil wrote: Janie needs to get that information from the personnel department where he works. Usually a disability benefit plan provides for regular payments to compensate (in part) for lost salary thru age 65. So if there is a choice, assuming retirement can begin at age 60 or at some time before reaching age 65, then one question would be how these payments compare. Also, what is the health insurance coverage in each case? It sounds like he may also qualify for Social Security disability benefits. -------- Thank you, Phil, for your input. I would think that Jamie would qualify for SSI, but I understand that the process is arduous. Our neuro even discouraged us from trying ("they'll say that he could answer the phone for some company or write out envelopes"). Considering that my husband's speaking ability has deteriorated to the point where he is very difficult to understand, and that he has trouble writing his own name I'm at a loss to understand how SSI would be out of reach. We'll let you know what happens. ----- God bless Mary Ann