Federal Disability Retirement

Re: Reply: SSA and OPM DR

AttyMcGill — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 21:26:48 GMT

Just remember, though, that there is a much lower cap under SSA of what you can earn at another job, as opposed to FERS & CSRS disability retirement annuity. This is a factor which often precludes, or is a disincentive, for people in determining whether to pursue SSA disability benefits.

Sincerely, Robert R. McGill

Re: SSA and OPM DR

gforce1344 — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 16:13:16 GMT

Thanks that answers my question, of course I should have known anything with the federal government is not straight forward.

Re: SSA and OPM DR

RSSMDFEDINIT — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 14:36:49 GMT

Yes, you can receive both, FERS Disability Retirement and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Social Security has a much stricter definition for "disability".

If your approved for SSDI, there is an offset for FERS Disability Retirement. Look at it as two jobs; but, your boss at one is not happy about the second job and reduces your pay! You still receive two pay checks.

Also, with annuity payment, you get paid once a month rather than bi-weekly.

During the first year FERS Disability Retirement's annuity is 60% of your high-3; but, 100% of any SSDI that you receive is deducted from your OPM/FERS Disability Retirement annity. The second year you received 40% of your high-3; but, 60% of any SSDI that you receive is deducted from your FERS Disability Retirement annity.

What I did not know is any COLA that you receive from Social Security IS NOT recaucu... for the 60% offset.

In regard to the FERS Disability Retirement COLA, if the COLA in any given year is greater that 2%, it is 1% less than the CSRS COLA. This year the Social Securty and CSRS COLA was 5.8%. The FERS COLA was 4.8%.

Hope this answers your question.

SSA and OPM DR

gforce1344 — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 05:54:41 GMT

I thought you could only receive either SSA DR or OPM DR not both, but after reading other posts I've noticed discussions of individuals getting both. Does this mean in addition to receiving the 40% of your former pay from OPM you can get additional compensation from SSA DR? If so how does the breakdown work?