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Disability Retirement and the Federal Employee

Possible Added Benefit of Disability Retirement

Retiree
Retired
Fri Apr 3, 2009 10:02 AM

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Your article on Disability Retirement is very informative and important for federal retirees, and I would like to see follow-up's on this important subject on related articles vs. Optional Retirement and Disability Retirement. Once such follow-up might include the fact that even if you are eligible for Optional Retirement, you can still appliy for Disability Retirement. Many federal employees are not aware of this.

This becomes especially important for Unemployment Insurance claims with the state, as the majority of states will pay a federal employee unemployment insurance upon retiring from the federal government on a Disability Retirement. As you indicate in your article, the financial stability and security of the Federal or Postal employee is very important, especially in these times of economic turmoil, we should be communicating this message to those members of the federal workforce that have legitimate medical issues. Thank you.

Re: Possible Added Benefit of Disability Retirement

Logistics
DOD
Fri Apr 3, 2009 12:37 PM
I like what this gentlemen wrote as it opened my eyes to other possibilities that could enter into the equation when applying for disability retirement. Maybe the author could draft a chart of some sort that depicts these various possible scenarios.

Also, since the issue very much becomes one of economics for most of us, I'd like to see some actual dollar comparisons if that is at all possible. Nothing complicated, but perhaps a comparison of a general example. For example, if someone had the option of retiring on a voluntary basis vs. disability retirement. From a dollars and cents perspective, which would be the wisest to choose? I know from seeing what other folks have gone through, it is typical that one does not get a straight answer from HR or even OPM when such questions are asked. It is like those folks are trying to hide something which goes against what was promised to the federal emploee when we hired on (instead of going into the private sector).

Re: Possible Added Benefit of Disability Retirement

IT Specialist
DOD
Fri Apr 3, 2009 1:47 PM
Disability Retirement is only an option for those who are not already able to retire. Penalties apply for not meeting age and years of services. If you can retire on a voluntary basis (Meet Age and Years), then you would have to take that retirement.

Re: Possible Added Benefit of Disability Retirement

Retiree
Retired
Fri Apr 3, 2009 6:23 PM
This is in response to IT Specialist with the DOD. You are incorrect in you belief that if one is eligible for Optional Retirement, then you are prohibited from Retiring on Disability Retirement. It does not make any difference whether or not you meet the eligibility requirements for Optional Retirement or not - if you have a medical condition that the Office of Personnel Management approves for Disability, then your retirement is determined to be Disability Retirement. I seriously doubt whether you can quote any federal regulation that PROHIBITS a federal employee from applying and receiving Disability Retirement simply because they meet the normal Optional Retirement eligibility criteria. The correct information is vital to the interests of Federal Employees and their families, and it's important for them to have the correct information based on federal law. With all due respect, you are incorrect in the information you have related on April 3, 2009, as an IT Specialist-DOD.

disability

former employee
USPS
Fri Apr 3, 2009 12:32 PM

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It seems that when employees get too old to perform their job, normal aging process, they apply and usually receive disability. This is especially true for CSRS because while they will not be able to collect SS if they have not paid in, they can claim disability and receive a nice check and leave early. It isn't that hard to quality. In fact, I know of several who have received disability, never offered another position within the service, and are out living a productive life and able to travel, mow their lawn, wash their car, etc. Every should go out on disability. Go early! It is great for women who have a husband who still works!!

Re: disability

IT Specialist
DOD
Fri Apr 3, 2009 1:40 PM
Federal Disability retirement is set up so that the only job you can't hold is the one you retired from. So if I got Disability, I could not hold any job related to Information Technology. However, this would not prevent me from obtaining a different job in the private sector factoring in what my disibility is and job skill required.

Re: disability

Retiree
Retired
Fri Apr 3, 2009 7:24 PM
This is in response the the respone from the IT Specialist
DOD. You are incorrect in that if you retired on a Disability Retirement from an Information Technology position you are restricted from obtaining employment in the Information Technology field of work. The Only restriction with Disability Retirement is that you are prohibited from earning more than 80% of your salary for 2 consective years in a row. You need to specify the regulation you are referring to, as with all due respect, there is no such regulation.

How much do we get on disability retirement?

Longtime Fed
Cabinet Agency
Fri Apr 3, 2009 2:00 PM

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So how much do we get, for FERS, CSRS and CSRS-Offset, on disability retirement? Please write another article re: this....

Unemployment Benefits

Disability Retiree
VA
Sat Apr 4, 2009 3:53 AM

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I was wondering if the author could comment on the assertion made by one of the other people who made a comment that in most states you can get Unemployment Benefits as well as your Federal Disability Retirement check. I have never heard of such a thing and wonder if it is true.

Re: Unemployment Benefits

Retiree
Retired
Sat Apr 4, 2009 9:28 AM
This is in response to the comment by Disability Retiree
VA on Sat Apr 4, 2009. The majority of States will pay Unemployment Insurance (UI), to a federal retiree that has retired on Disability Retirement (DR). The state laws center around the following: If you are not Willing, and Able to work, you are not eligible for UI. In the case of a federal employee that retired on DR, while you are probably Willing to work, you are not Able as determined by the Office of Personnel Management, a federal agency of the US Gov't. The states have no choice other than to pay you the UI. However, you only have a specific amount of time to apply with the state after retiring. Federal employees retiring on DR are seldom advised by the agency to apply for state UI benefits. Federal employees retiring under Optional Retirement are not eligible for UI; however, employees retiring because of medical conditions which prohibit them from working are eligible for UI as determined by the US Gov't.

Disability Retirement

Rural Carrier
USPS
Sat Apr 4, 2009 4:46 PM

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Is there anywhere to find out how much one would be paid on a disability retirement? Being a FERS employee, my Postal retirement is going to not amount to hardly anything. I will have 19 years of service (including my 3 years military, which I haven't paid back) when I reach 56. I plan to work until until I'm 60, if I'm able. But I have wrist problems, and don't know if I will be physically able to work the next 6 1/2 years.
I am putting 15% into my TSP, and I am assuming that most of my losses will be gained back by retirement.
Thank you for your information. It is always quite helpful.

Rural Carrier

GOV WORKER
DoD
Mon Apr 6, 2009 6:07 AM

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Check EBIS, if you can gain access to a PC at work to check your files. I will tell you, and if you don't have access check out HR and ask them. I would ask them first how you can gain access to your retirement calculators, so you can see if you are on track.

Amount of Disability Payment

Retiree
Retired
Mon Apr 6, 2009 4:30 PM

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The disability payment is only 40% of your high three average pay. If you are only in your forties it is impossible to live on this amount.

Re: Amount of Disability Payment

HappilyRetired
Postal Service
Mon Apr 6, 2009 6:09 PM
Yes it's 40 percent, but remember, you can still find a job you can do. You can make up to 80% of what you are doing right now, so it's possible to make even more money than before (up to 120%).

Disability retirement is just retirement for a job you can not longer do.

Re: Amount of Disability Payment

Frustrated Fed
United States Marshals Service
Tue Apr 14, 2009 7:32 AM
The annuity is actually more than 40% if you are CSRS and have over 25 years. The calculation, I believe, gives you 2% for each year you work after 20 or 25 years. I know my estimate with 29 years of service and age 53 was around 58@.
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