Receiving a letter from Manulife mentioning an upcoming “24-month review” often feels like waiting for the other shoe to drop. You have spent the last two years focusing on your health, navigating doctor appointments, and trying to manage your symptoms.

Now, just as you are finding a rhythm, the goalposts seem to be moving.

For many Canadians, the two-year mark is the most critical juncture in a long-term disability (LTD) claim. It is the point where the definition of “disability” in your policy typically shifts from being unable to do *your* job to being unable to do *any* job.

This transition is not just a formality; it is a rigorous re-evaluation that leads to a high volume of benefit terminations.

In this guide, we will walk you through exactly what happens with Manulife long-term disability after two years. We will explain the shift in legal definitions, the assessments you might face, and the practical steps you can take to protect your financial security.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every disability policy is unique. For specific advice regarding your claim, please contact a qualified disability lawyer.

Key Takeaways: The 24-Month Review at a Glance

The Definition Changes: Most policies shift from “own occupation” to “any occupation” at the two-year mark.
Function Over Diagnosis: Manulife cares less about the name of your condition and more about your specific functional limitations.
New Assessments: You may be asked to undergo an Independent Medical Examination (IME) or a vocational assessment.
Proactive Evidence: Detailed reporting from your treating specialists is your best defence against a benefit cutoff.
Deadlines Matter: If you receive a denial, strict time limits apply for appeals and legal action.

Why the Two-Year Mark Matters for Manulife LTD

Why is the two-year mark such a source of anxiety? It comes down to the wording of the contract. Most group LTD policies in Canada are designed to support you temporarily while you are unable to perform your specific job. However, insurers like Manulife generally operate under the assumption that after two years, you should be able to return to the workforce in some capacity, even if it is not in your original role.

The Manulife LTD 24-month review is a standard procedural step. It is not necessarily personal, but the consequences are very personal indeed. At this stage, the claims handler will review your file with a fine-tooth comb. They are looking for evidence that you have recovered enough to perform “commensurate” work. If your medical file is thin, or if your doctors have not been specific about your restrictions, this is often the moment benefits are terminated.

What Changes After Two Years? Own Occupation vs Any Occupation

To understand why claims are denied at this stage, you have to understand the changing definitions. It is essentially a change in the test you must pass to remain eligible for benefits.

What “Own Occupation” Means (First 24 Months)

For the first two years of most policies, you are considered totally disabled if you cannot perform the essential duties of your “own occupation.” This refers to the job you held at the time you became ill or injured.

For example, if you were a dental hygienist and developed a tremor in your hand, you could not perform the essential duties of your job. Under the “own occupation” test, you would likely qualify for benefits because you cannot do the specific work you were hired to do, regardless of whether you could theoretically work as a receptionist or a greeter.

What “Any Occupation” Means After 24 Months

After two years, the test becomes much stricter. The policy shifts to an own-occupation vs any occupation disability standard. To continue receiving benefits, you must prove that you are unable to perform the duties of *any* occupation for which you are reasonably suited by way of education, training, or experience.

This does not mean Manulife can force you to take a job flipping burgers if you were previously a corporate executive. The alternative job usually needs to pay a certain percentage of your pre-disability earnings (often 60% to 70%) and match your skill set. However, the threshold is significantly higher. Using the previous example, the dental hygienist with a hand tremor might be considered capable of teaching hygiene theory or working in dental sales, thus failing the “any occupation” test.

What Manulife Typically Reviews at the Two-Year Point

When Manulife conducts this review, they are not just looking at whether you still have a diagnosis. They are looking for restrictions and limitations on medical evidence.

A diagnosis of depression, fibromyalgia, or chronic back pain is rarely enough on its own after two years. The insurer wants to know:

Functional Limits: Can you sit for more than 15 minutes? Can you concentrate for two hours straight? Can you lift 10 pounds?
Treatment History: Have you tried all recommended treatments? Are you compliant with medication?
Specialist Support: Do you have specialists (rheumatologists, psychiatrists, neurologists) backing your claim, or just a family doctor?
Consistency: Do your reported symptoms match your activity levels?

Common functional limitations that support a claim might include:

Unpredictable fatigue that requires midday naps.
Inability to commute due to anxiety or pain.
Cognitive “brain fog” that prevents following instructions.
A lack of stamina that makes a standard 8-hour day impossible.

Common Requests Manulife May Make After Two Years

As the Manulife long-term disability after two years deadline approaches, your mailbox might start filling up with requests for new assessments. These are tools the insurer uses to gather data for the “any occupation” test.

Updated Attending Physician Statement (APS)

This is the standard form your doctor fills out. However, at the two-year mark, Manulife may ask more targeted questions about your ability to do sedentary work. If your doctor writes “unable to work” without explaining *why* in terms of functional restrictions, it can hurt your claim.

Independent Medical Examination (IME)

An independent medical examination (IME) involves seeing a doctor chosen and paid for by Manulife. While they are called “independent,” these doctors are retained by the insurance company. They will assess your condition during a single visit and write a report. This report often carries heavy weight in Manulife’s decision, sometimes overriding the opinions of your treating physicians who have known you for years.

Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE)

A functional capacity evaluation (FCE) is a series of physical tests, usually conducted by a physiotherapist or occupational therapist over one or two days. You might be asked to lift boxes, walk on a treadmill, sit for extended periods, and perform dexterity tests. The goal is to determine your physical “sedentary” or “light” work capacity.

Vocational Assessment and Transferable Skills Analysis

This is crucial for the “any occupation” test. A vocational assessment Manulife requests involves an expert reviewing your resume, education, and work history to perform a transferable skills analysis. They will generate a list of jobs they believe you can do based on your skills and remaining physical capacity. If they identify jobs you can theoretically do, Manulife may use this as grounds to terminate benefits.

Why Manulife Cuts Off LTD Benefits After Two Years (Most Common Reasons)

Is it fair? Not always. Is it common? Unfortunately, yes. Here is why we see LTD benefits cut off after 2 years:

The “Sedentary Work” Argument: The insurer argues that while you cannot do your physical job, you are capable of sitting at a desk. They often ignore the fact that pain or medication side effects might make sitting and focusing impossible.
Insufficient Medical Evidence: The file lacks objective data. Subjective reports of pain are often dismissed if not corroborated by consistent medical notes.
Vocational Assessment Results: The transferable skills analysis claims you can work as a “customer service representative” or “parking lot attendant,” and the insurer deems you employable.
Change in Definition: You simply do not meet the stricter “any occupation” threshold in their view.
Surveillance: If you claim you cannot leave the house but are filmed playing sports or doing heavy gardening, this discrepancy undermines credibility.

What You Can Do Before the Two-Year Review (Practical Steps)

You do not have to sit and wait for the decision. Being proactive can greatly affect the outcome.

Educate Your Doctors: Ensure your treating physicians understand the difference between “own occupation” and “any occupation.” Ask them to document your limitations specifically (e.g., “Patient cannot sit for more than 20 minutes due to spinal compression” rather than just “Patient has back pain”).
Maintain Regular Treatment: Gaps in treatment look like recovery to an insurer. Keep your appointments.
Keep a Symptom Journal: Document your bad days. If you spend three days in bed after one day of activity, write it down. This paints a picture of your functional reality.
Review Your Policy: Understand exactly how “total disability” is defined in your specific contract.
Consult a Professional: If you sense trouble, speaking with a long-term disability lawyer before the denial happens can help you strategize.

What Happens If Manulife Terminates Your LTD Benefits After Two Years

If you receive a Manulife LTD termination letter, it can be devastating. The letter will outline the date your benefits stop and the reasons for the decision.

Do not panic, but do not delay. You generally have the right to appeal the decision internally. However, internal appeals are reviewed by the same insurance company that denied you in the first place. This is why many claimants find themselves stuck in a cycle of denials.

You have options. You can file a Manulife LTD appeal internally, or you can commence a legal claim for the wrongful denial of benefits. Often, moving to a legal claim forces the insurer to take your case more seriously and moves the file away from the internal adjuster.

Evidence That Can Strengthen an Appeal

To overturn a denial, you need new, compelling evidence. Re-submitting the same notes usually yields the same result. Strong evidence includes:

Narrative Reports: Detailed letters from your specialists rebutting the insurer’s medical consultant or IME report.
CPPD Approval: While not binding on Manulife, being approved for Canada Pension Plan Disability (CPPD) is strong evidence that a government body considers your disability “severe and prolonged.”
Vocational Rebuttals: Hiring a vocational expert to explain why the jobs Manulife suggested are not actually suitable or available to you.
Lay Witness Statements: Letters from former colleagues or family members describing the decline in your function.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When dealing with a long-term disability claim denied or under review, avoiding unforced errors is vital.

Do not resign: If Manulife cuts you off, do not quit your job. This complicates your employment relationship and potential future accommodation.
Do not overshare on social media: Insurers look at Facebook and Instagram. That photo of you smiling at a wedding might be used to argue you are not depressed, even if you left an hour later in tears.
Do not go to the IME unprepared: Understand the nature of the exam. Be honest, but do not minimize your pain or push through pain to please the doctor.
Do not accept a “Return to Work” plan that is destined to fail: If you are not ready, going back to work prematurely can cause a relapse and reset your waiting periods.

FAQs

Does Manulife automatically cut off LTD benefits after two years?

No, it is not automatic, but it is a standard review point. They must evaluate if you meet the “any occupation” definition. If your medical evidence supports that you cannot do *any* job, benefits should continue.

What is the “any occupation” test for Manulife LTD?

This test assesses whether you are totally disabled from performing any occupation for which you are reasonably fitted by education, training, or experience, and which pays a commensurate wage (usually a percentage of your prior earnings).

Can Manulife require a vocational assessment after 24 months?

Yes. The policy generally gives them the right to request assessments to determine your employability and transferable skills.

What is an FCE, and can it affect my LTD benefits?

A Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) tests your physical abilities. If the results show you can perform sedentary work, Manulife may use this to terminate benefits, arguing you no longer meet the “any occupation” test.

Can Manulife terminate benefits for mental health conditions after two years?

Yes. Mental health claims are frequently scrutinized at the two-year mark. The insurer often argues that with treatment, you should be able to return to some form of work, even if it is a lower-stress environment.

How long do I have to appeal a Manulife LTD termination?

Deadlines vary by policy and province (limitation periods). Typically, you have a specific window to file an internal appeal, but there is a strict two-year limitation period from the date of the initial denial to file a lawsuit in Ontario. Do not wait until the last minute.

Can I work part-time and still receive LTD benefits?

It is possible under “rehabilitative employment” clauses, but it must be approved by Manulife. Your benefits may be offset by your earnings. Always clear this with your adjuster first.

What medical evidence is most important after two years on LTD?

Objective evidence of functional limitations is key. Reports from specialists that explain *why* you cannot sustain regular employment (attendance, cognitive endurance, physical stamina) are more valuable than simple diagnosis notes.

Navigating the Shift to “Any Occupation” with Confidence

The transition to the “any occupation” definition is undoubtedly the most challenging hurdle in a disability claim. It represents a shift from protecting your specific career to evaluating your general employability. While the insurance company has a right to review your file, they also have a duty to adjudicate it fairly.

If you are approaching the 24-month mark, preparation is your strongest ally. Ensure your medical team is documenting your functional reality, not just your symptoms. And if the decision comes back negative, remember that a denial letter is not the final word; it is often just the beginning of the legal conversation.

If your Manulife LTD benefits were denied, delayed, or cut off after two years, you do not have to fight the insurance giant alone. Contact Lang Lawyers today for a confidential consultation to discuss your disability benefits denial disability benefits denial and explore your options for an appeal.