Currently the D&S plan guarantees your original long term disability payment and makes up for any shortfall that the PBGC is not paying.
So the less the PBGC pays, the more the D&S plan pays. The more the D&S plan is forced to pay out, the weaker the plan is. If an appeal is successful, the PBGC will pay more, and the D&S plan will pay less – and will be financially stronger.
But suppose the D&S plan fails anyway. (There are currently a number of drains on the plan that were not originally anticipated and are worrisome to DP3). You will then be paid only your PBGC benefit. In order to insure you receive the maximum benefit from the PBGC in that situation, you need to appeal now. If you do not appeal within 45 days of receiving your BDL, you forfeit the right to appeal forever.