Regrets

Any of you on Disabiity who now regret your decision to get on disability and not keep working no matter the cost? If you have regrets- what are they? This is a hard decision.

I regret many things about OPM Disability. Even

the approval letter says it can be very difficult

now in retirement. I have the letter scanned on the PC.

I regret that I applied for one position, and

got the exact Job, but with a lower Salary.

I regret that I am not making my former paycheck.

I also regret the 40% that I'm living on is

actually about 25% if I figured in Night pay,

Overtime pay, Holiday Day pay, and Sunday pay!

And the OPM process, Doctors visits, Legal fees,

Medicines. I'm glad I got through it.

Many here are not so 'lucky'.

I don't know if I have regrets, but the whole process sucks. I had no choice, as is probably the case with anyone who applies for disability retirement. I would've gladly worked ten more years until my "real" retirement, but physically I couldn't do the job anymore.

I'm still waiting for my disability case to be finalized SEVEN MONTHS after it was approved. It's been almost a year now since I initially sent in my application package. If you apply, budget carefully and be prepared for a very, very long wait. You're dealing with a federal agency and all the incompetence that comes with it.

I, too, worked nights and weekends and was paid extra for it, but that pay doesn't count toward your "high 3" when figuring disability payments. That's a huge chunk of money I'm not being paid. I don't know why...I worked those hours, I earned that pay, but it doesn't count. Living on 60% of my base pay is bad enough. I have no idea what I'll do in April when it gets dropped to 40%. I'd love to be working, but there isn't much I can do with my physical condition. I guess I'll look at welfare or food stamps or whatever other government handouts are available and be one of those people I used to complain about.

Disability retirement is there if you need it. Otherwise, it isn't something to look forward to and isn't something to be envious of. It's a monthly handout that might help pay the bills for the rest of your life, but it's not something you can live very easily on. Save your money, invest, budget carefully and don't expect anything about it to be easy.

Regrets? No, because I had no choice. It was this or be unemployed without an income. But I wish it hadn't happened.

I feel the same as the last writer. I did not have a choice. I was trying to wait 6 more years until full retirement but my health was getting worse. I was telecommuting due to my worsing health. My application was approved in August. I should get my first interim payment next month. The only regret that I have is that I am sick. I do not think I can even do another job to make up the 20%(to make up to 80%) of my income if I wanted to.
To the previous writer, did you receive a CSA number from OPM? If so, give them a call. I would call them every two weeks to check the status of my application. Before the application even went to OPM, I called my personel office to check on the status of the application every week or so. I needed to complete one application and I faxed it over to them. Once it was received, they immediately sent the package to OPM. After my appliation was approved, I called for a verification of status letter to give me an estimate of my interim payments. Start calling! I told them all that I was on LWOP since February and my money is running low and I am very sick and any assistance would be appreciated in checking on the status of my application. So get the phone numbers that you need call, call, call. If need some numbers let me know. I do not know where you are in the process and what agency you work/ed for.

I hope I am misreading what you said. I get the impression that you're currently in the 60% for the first year status. That said, are you saying that the allowable 80% post-retirment earnings includes the FERS disability annuity? If I currently make 100K and am awarded disability retirement at 60K for the first year, then 40K thereafter(excluding SSDI consideration), would I only be able to earn 20K the 1st year (equaling a 80% total) and 40K in subsequent years (likewise equaling a 80% total)? I was under the impression that you were permitted to earn up to 80% of your high wage in addition to to whatever the FERS disability paid. I would really appreciate it if I could get some feedback.

I asked Belly about those same figures. No reply,

Ithink Belly is on SSDI but you are correct!!


From Mr McGill's site

http://federaldisabilitylawyer.com/frequently-asked-questions.html#wor


Can I work even if I am approved for disability retirement?



An individual is allowed to collect disability retirement, and work at a different job and earn up to 80% of what his or her former position pays currently. Thus, by way of example, an individual who was making $50,000.00 per year, could go out and get a job making $40,000.00 per year, as well as continue to collect his or her disability annuity.

I'm so glad that you responded with that answer. It makes contemplation of a near-future disability retirement more attractive and economically attractive.
I'm attempting the reasonable accommodation (RA) route (even retained an employment attorney). I doubt in the long, and probably the short term, that such a RA will help (or be approved). It's difficult working all the time with veterans with PTSD when in fact I have the same condition! Their stressors become mine and this work intensifies my symptoms. If the RA fails I will enlist an attorney that specializes in FERS disability retirement.

Getting through the financial challenge is important. However a bigger challenge looms ahead which can render the financial cost irrelevant. And that is, what you will do after retirement. I don't know your age, but my father retired on disability at 35. He received word he'd be getting disability from his job, plus 100% disability from the military, which included 13 years of back pay. I'm sure that was one of the happiest days of his life. Plus my mother worked, so finances never became an issue while it was being finalized. You'd think he had it all: a wife, kids, house, money, and he didn't have to work. However, my father became the most loneliest, bored, and miserable person. It was a combination of not feeling helpful or somehow productive and the fact that he could not work without loosing his benefits. Over the years, the alcoholism took over giving him diabetes, plus it exacerbated all his other health problems to the point his doctor continuously warned him if he took one more drink, he would die. By this time he had shribbled up, going from looking younger than he was to looking older than he was. After going in and out of rehab, he began doing much better for several years and actually began to enjoy life until one of my siblings suddenly became terminally ill during the holiday seasons, which had always been his favorite time of year. Needless to say, he began drinking during this time and he had to go back to the hospital. However this time, he never came back. He never found out that his terminally ill daughter, who was my sister, had passed away, which probably wouldn't have helped his condition.

I told this story to warn you and others contemplating retirement of the biggest regret if you don't stay active and find a purpose, not to say everyone will be tempted with alcohol. However, what happened to my father is very common and most of the time, it wasn't just the alcohol, but his mind and body was affected over the years from not feeling useful, which can be detrimental, otherwise that drink wouldn't have taken his life. I've seen several individuals retire, then pass away a couple of years later, in some cases several months later. If not, they would suddenly complain of aches and pains. These individuals retired much older than my father did, so these pitfalls faced them much sooner. Regardless of what retirement option a person takes, again not staying active and not fulfilling your purpose could be the biggest regret when going into retirement. It could mean the difference between life and death in some cases. Making a difference in someone's life and feeling productive in society would best fulfill that need and purpose after retirement, which includes volunteering in church, working part time, etc... Even providing support to forums such as this could fulfill some of that need and purpose.

I totally agree with you. We are at great risk if we do not prepare for retirement. I think men, in particular, are more at risk because we don't have as many social networks. If I do retire under FERS disability I think I would want to obtain a less strenuous line of work. My greatest fear is that I would remain confined to the house steeped in depression and anxiety.

I agree as well. When are sick not feeling well that is enough to make one depressed. Then worrying about money issues, etc. When I first got very sick, I had attended a class through my health insurance that was free. The class was called 'Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions. In the class all the patitents had to make a 'To Do List". I made the list and I am proud to say that I have completed at least 4-5 items on it. Each year or so I add others to the list and cross off the ones that I have completed. For example, I took chess classes and brought a chess CD for my computer so I could learn the pieces and practice. I took belly dancing classes (I had to stop because of my breathing problems due my heart) but I tried (It just so happened that the chess class and belly dance class were next door to one another). I am an advocate for awareness regarding the chronic illness that I have- Sarcoidosis. I love, love to read. The majority of the time I read two books at a time. I try to keep my mind busy so that I do not get bored. There are so many free programs and classes available out there. I know, the majority of the time we do not have the energy to do anything, I know I don't but sometimes I push myself and it makes me feel better mentally. Everyday is a struggle but I always try to remember that it could always be worse than it is.

Wow what a great thread. I retired on FERS disability at 37 from being an agent...
I have experienced loneliness, depression, and of course drinking since I left the G. All my friends are working when I am at home...
I keep hearing "dude, you got it made" but they don't understand the feeling of worthlessness I feel. Heck I can't even get Lowe's or Best Buy to hire me. I firmly believe that the employers are scared of my disability and don't want to hire me.
6 months out from retirement and I am finally doing better. I am focusing on my daughter and letting the job fall into place whenever it comes.
Good luck all!

I forgot to add that OPM tells me it could take up to 2 years for my pay to be finalized and get off the interim payments....crazy.

This post seems to hit on the most difficult area related to DR: the feeling of self worth, being able to take care of your family, and basically being a productive member of society. I have that already, and am not even approved yet! If I could stay, I would, but there are reminders each day I come to work that I cannot do the job anymore that I have enjoyed for so many years. I am aware that the financial part is going to be extremely difficult, but the other part is going to be a real challenge. We all seem to think of what they woulld love to do when they retire, but being disabled has taken away most of those options. I see stormy seas ahead.....

I never thought I would ever say this, but I really miss my job. It is very difficult especially, now in this market. I am not as sick as when I retired, but I know that I do not want to work in that kind of environment anymore and my doctor does not recommend it, but financially it is very hard. After that first year, you only receive 40% that is a killer. I am 40 years old and lost just about everything because of disability retirement. It took a year before I received anything and by the time they took taxes, health insurance, life insurance and you had to pay back money you had borrowed from others in your family, it was enough to depress and make a man cry. I have worked all my life.

I have been on my own since college. I had to move back home with my mom and sister. I tried to prepare myself for this day, but it did not go nowhere close to how I planned it. I am still trying to find work to offset the lost income. It is a good thing my mom's house is all paid for. My mom won't except any rent money because she knows how my check is chopped down to just about nothing. It would not be so bad if I could find some work and get my own place again. I would recommend doing this as I last resort. It is no picnic at all.

YES, I have regrets!  My application was recently approved and I haven't even been separated from my employment yet.  Still, after learning what I've learned during this whole process and realizing it's not any where near what I was led to believe it would be, I am regretting it already and hoping very much I can figure out a way to decline the approved OPM Disability Retirement before officially being separated from the Department of Veterans Affairs where I am still on the pay roles.  To my knowledge they haven't initiated my separation yet.  My approved disability retirement letter just came in last week.