FERS Disability Retirement

[bronxdevil]

Does anyone here on the forum have any experience with FERS disability retirement? Im well verse with SSA since that was my last job as a claims specialist but FERS is different, I know that the criteria they look for is different from SSA, for SSA you have to be completely unemployable including sedentary work, FERS on the on the other hand looks to see why the disabled individual is not able to complete their duties at the position they hold and what accommodations were made if any, would like to know if any other veteran here has had experience with FERS disability retirement

[ArNG11]

FERS is the Federal Employee Retirement System, SSDI is Social Security Disability Insurance,  while they share some, a few things, in common they are different beasts altogether with their own rules, regulations, laws, and benefits.  You could go out on FERS or OPM disability retirement.  You have to look at all your options in order to see which would provide you the most benefits for your situation.  It's difficult because of all the regulations so take your time in making your choice.  If you are having difficulties it may be time to consider your options, again, this is dependent on your individual case and where you are in life and what struggles you are facing.  I hope this leads you to make the best decision for your unique situation.  Good luck friend.

[wendypayne]

Sorry to bump, what's new with FERS disability retirement? I read some worrying news at https://andalmanflynn.com/blogs/articles/dont-lose-your-federal-disability-retirement-before-age-62/ and was wondering what you folks think about it. I mean, I don't get it even having read the article. How does this happen that one could involuntarily be transferred to an average pension benefit having reached the age of 62? I have a friend at LiabilityCover.ca, will ask him. If so, I'll make sure to update you.

Edited February 10, 2022 by wendypayne

[john999]

I don't think there is much new except it is 100% about the medical.  You get your doctor to fill out the medical the right way and you get it.  However, as you might guess it is not much.  40% of your base pay unless you get SSDI and then it is less.  Most can't survive on OPM disability alone.  I could not survive on it.  You have to get another job or get VA 100%.

[ArNG11]

I wanted to add to this a bit.  There are serious tax ramifications if you manage to get a scheduled award while retiring on disability.(OPM)   With FERS, your VA disability benefits won't seriously affect it unless compensation is for the same body part. Then there is a plethora of rules and laws governing that, in short can't get compensated twice for the same body part. 

I think I will post a different thread on what I mentioned in this post,  as I am still looking at the tax laws and regulation governing this issue.  The government will always get their cut, in one fashion or the other it seems.