Senators Propose Ending FERS Defined Benefit Pensions for New Employees

Senators Richard Burr (R-NC) and Tom Coburn (R-OK) have introduced the Public-Private Employee Retirement Act of 2011 which would end the defined benefit pension portion of the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS) for new federal government hires starting in 2013. Current federal employees would not be affected, but it would apply to members of Congress.

Federal and Postal Disability Retirement under FERS or CSRS: The Law as a Shield of Compassion

When a Federal employee finds his medical condition prevents one from performing one or more of the essential elements of the job, he is considered “disabled” under the Law, and therefore eligible for Federal Disability Retirement benefits. Such an individual will often not be accommodated by the Agency, if only because “accommodation”is a difficult requirement to fulfill.