USPS Fers Disability/SSDI

[stateofdade]

I've been 100% P&T for about 8 years now.  That took forever. 

I currently work for the USPS, and I'll likely be FERS Retired by the end of the year.  Perhaps sooner. 

My family has a standard of living, but I'm fairly sure that there's no way we're going to survive if I'm on FERS and end up getting SSDI.  At least with FERS alone, I can get up to 80% of my past income working for myself.  I'm trying to calculate everything out and I have a good idea of what FERS will give me every month.  What I'm spotty on is the SSDI payments, dependent pay, etc... 

From what I'm reading online, it's all doom and gloom if you're put on SSDI along with the FERS. 

Does anyone have suggestions on what to do in order to get some work done without losing the FERS/SSDI, etc...? 

I feel quite clueless about the entire thing. 

I guess I'm also wondering if there's a way to get my wife signed on as a caregiver, since the retirement would be directly related to my disability from the VA. 

Just got a service dog related to the issue as well, so there's a positive note.  Fire away with those questions, and I'll hopefully be able to answer clearly and coherently.  Perhaps if a few of us put our heads together, I can figure a way out of this boondoggle.

[Lemuel]

The "earned income maximum" is the same for both.  That is a Social Security deduction job.

At least it was when I was receiving SSDI which changed to SS when I turned 65 in 2006.  I received regular letters telling me the maximum I could earn part time.  I did not work at any job period from September of 1990.

[broncovet]

If you are referencing "working" while on Social Security disability, thats not a great idea.  I think the thing where you can re enter the work force on social security disabiiity is still in force, and that allows you to "break gradually back into" the work force while keeping your ssdi.  Ultimately, however, you have to choose between working and social security disability.   

My opinion is that you are going to need to plan to live on less, like most people when they retire.  Maybe thats not what you want to hear, but it is the way I see it.  

Its not a bad thing, tho.  I do very well on 100 percent VA and social security, but, I dont live where it costs a lot to live.  

You are just gonna have to cut back on some of the extras.  If you drive expensive cars, for example, it may be time to down grade to more practical and inexpensive cars/vehicles.  I just checked and refinanced my car thorugh Navy Federal Credit Union at 4.79 percent, so that will save over $100 per month, when I get the second car done also.  

Managing your money well is the key.  Do you have a bunch of subscriptions you arent even aware of?  Well cancel all but the reaally important ones you use.  If you are a smoker, (2 pks a day) you can save enogh by quitting to make a car payment, fairly easily.  Alcohol, too, is incrediby expensive, and my annual "alcohol expense" is about $50, for a whole year.  Some spend $50 a week.  

And, of course, if you have credit card debt, you need to get that paid off as quickly as posiblle.  

[relatively happy camper]

Maybe you should look into FERS disability.  From what I read FERS requires applying for SSDI.  I agree w/bronco about cutting expenses.  I often wonder why we need 2 vehicles. For generations we had only one vehicle, bunk beds, no AC and push mowers, one income, etc.  I remember the ice and rag man in NJ where I was raised, so I'm old.  I personally think this women working thing is just stupid, but some women aren't meant to raise a family, which I understand.  Just some of my personal thoughts . . .  each to their own.

[Lemuel]

I am now 100% P^T back to September of 1985 EED granted by the Director, Compensation Services in April of 2020.

Have more than enough except for hiring help I need.  Moved to the Philippines to marry a woman to take care of me for 5 to 15 years.  Working out great so far.  Including sexually.

The home is in a gated community.  Dr. next door.  Pharmacist a few houses down.  Can see an MD as a walk in.  Can afford to pay for the visit without expecting reimbursement from the VA Foreign Medical Program which is as bad as community care for trying to find a way to deny paying the bill.

Not for everyone.  House is lockable from getting out when I get so drifty I cannot find my way back retracing steps.

Have a few techniques to keep from getting lost but mostly I depend upon my Mycel to keep me close when I am out of the house.

Made the trip depending upon airline assistance for those needing assistance.  Worked out O K but would not want to do it again.  Not every flight crew is able to see the not so obvious limitations on lifting and carrying even when you are delivered to them via the Airline assistance via a wheelchair.

Point is there is more than one way to find a way to live within your means.  Just have to find it while you are still able to do so or end up with all you have saved for you grandkids and great grandkids going to some nursing home you have been committed to.

Saw the handwriting on the wall when a nurse seeing me once a week told me to sell the house and move to one of the nursing homes in town.  House less mortgage would have paid for about 10 months, rental property another 18 months.  Then off to wherever the VA could find a place for me with total loss of control of everything.

My brain still works for problem solving, just not well on effecting the solution.  But I think I accidentally got this one right this time.

The old saying, "If there is a will, there is a way", applies.  Look for advice that fits you and your situation.  Sometimes it comes from unexpected places.

[broncovet]

I will be interested to hear how well this (living in the Philipines) works out for you in a year or so, after "the honeymoon" wears off.  Im also interested in how many people there speak English...10 percent, 20 percent, 80 percent, etc.  

Im also interested in knowing "if it really saves money" after you consider the expense of travel back and forth to visit family, costs of selling your home in Wyoming, costs of moving, and other costs of living there which Im unaware of.  (Like phone calls to family).  

It would be stressfull and awkarard to me, to pretty much know almost no one, and not even be able to speak to many to even attempt to make friends.  It sounds like you dont know your caregiver/spouse that well either, but Im sure that will come with time.  

[Lemuel]

The road signs and shop signs are all in English.  Most taxi and tricycle drivers speak enough english.  All high schoold graduates speak some English.  College graduates are fluent in English.

History.  English became the National Language during the U S Military governorship following the Spanish American War.  Following the independence from the United States, Tagolog also became a must learn language.  Tagolog is the language of Luzon and southern Luzon.

Driving rules are essentially the same as the U S.  Roads are more crowded in this area than in Denver, especially with motorcycles and the tricycle taxis which can cary up to 4 plus the driver.

Gasoline is about $1.00 per liter or about $4.76 per gallon.  Expensive to own a car.

Something to do now.  Have to check in to the property that we are living in the compound.  Will  add more later.