Re: Possible Added Benefit of Disability Retirement

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

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

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.

Re: disability

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

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.

Re: disability

I disagree with that. I am an employee who lives with chronic nerve pain (from spinal fusion) every day. I have to take pain medication just to be able to stand it without plugging myself it hurts so bad. I checked into a medical (I am on CSRS with 31 years) and I would lose over half my paycheck on a disability. I don't see how anyone could afford to take a disability, especially in these times if your spouse is in construction or self-employed (like mine) and the bottom has fallen out of everything. We'd starve to death on disability. I think it's rather pathetic..

Re: Unemployment Benefits

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.

Re: Disability Retirement

Open an ERC ticket and ask. That is what I did (I'm on CSRS). They will give you an itemized page that tells you exactly what you could expect.

Re: Amount of Disability Payment

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

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@.