Thank you for this informative video. I am receiving federal disability pay and would like to know what, if anything, I need to do once I turn 62. Will my monthly disability payment automatically be recalculated to full retirement pay?
Hi, can you do a video on OPM reviews of people already on disability retirement? What's involved, how often are these performed, what's the continuation of benefits rate, etc? Thanks!
Thank you for the helpful suggestion! We are currently working on creating new videos with this type of content. In the meantime, this video can help to provide some clarity on those topics ua-cam.com/video/hDBj_rF1fl0/v-deo.html
If you are approved for SSDI there's a very strict earning limit. If you earn more than the substantial gainful activity limit, which is currently $1,550 per month, your benefits may be stopped. At age 62, your Federal Disability Retirement benefits will automatically transition into your regular FERS retirement!
If the years on disability retirement count towards your total overall years, could a person technically still retire at their Minimum Retirement Age? Say a 43 year old with 20 years in could normally retire at MRA of 57, goes for disability retirement. Do they have to wait until 62 for regular retirement to kick in or can it start at 57? Also, how does taking 60 and 40% of high 3 during disability retirement affect high 3 calculations for regular retirement once that starts? Is high 3 counted as the actual salary of your last position through disability or is it reduced? Do you still benefit from step increases and COLAs?
Hi HM, these are some great questions! There is a lot to cover here but we'll try to break it down: 1. Yes, 62 will be your new retirement age, even if you were originally eligible to retire earlier. But this is typically an advantage since Federal Disability Retirement pays more than regular retirement and your would still be earning creditable years of service while one the benefit. 2. The 60% and 40% annuity will not affect your regular retirement calculation at 62. Think of Federal Disability Retirement as an early retirement. 3. Your High 3 Average is your highest 36 consecutive months of basic pay. This is most likely your most recent 36 months. You can learn more here: www.federaldisability.com/faq/what-is-the-high-3-average/ 4. While your annuity won't increase from step increases, you may be eligible to receive COLAs if you are currently receiving those. Thanks for the question!
Can you work another job in government as long as it is less than 80% original salary to still get FERS disability? Or has to be outside of government?
Joshua, we do not advise our clients to go this route as it can cause issues with the disability retirement annuity and put you at risk of the benefit being stopped. Thanks for the questions!
If I apply to federal disability retirement and am approved, can I continue to work at my federal job for a little while before deciding to accept it and go out? If so, how long do I have? Thank you!
If you are able to continue working at your federal agency, then you may not qualify for this benefit. To qualify for Federal Disability Retirement you must be unable to perform at least one of the essential functions of your job.
@@DisabilityRetirement I understand that and based on that I do qualify. I just want to make sure I have enough time to use all my sick and annual leave before accepting. Thank you.
I am age 64 and have a new back injury. I work as a nurse so I have already been off work for a month, and will be off for at least another month, when the specialist wants another set of x-rays. I have approximately 18 years 4 months of federal service including VA and USMC. Would you recommend I go about applying for early retirement, or applying for disability retirement?
Hi Donna - I'm sorry to hear you're going through such a difficult time. Since each case is different, I suggest giving our office a call and seeing what we can do to help: 877-226-2723
In the video what did they mean by Disabikity retirees can get a scheduled award while on disability retirement? What’s a scheduled award? Also, does every disability retiree get COLAs for their retirement?
Great questions! Schedule Awards are an OWCP Workers' Compensation benefit paid out for impairments to specific body parts that occurred during work. You can receive a schedule award while on Federal Disability Retirement but not OWCP wage loss payments. COLAs are not added to your disability annuity for the first 12 months after being approved, but COLAs which occur after this 12-month period will be added as they occur.
I am a federal firefighter (16 years civilian, 22 years total including military) and have been dealing with ptsd and anxiety for many years. I have always kept my problems to myself but have discussed it with my doctor. I am on medication for anxiety. I have a little over 5 years to retire and I don’t think I can handle my job anymore. I have never been in trouble nor have I been written up. I get anxious throughout the day and feel As though I’m losing control of myself along with memory issues. Although no one has noticed, I do feel these things. I want to apply for disability retirement but don’t know if I can. On top of this I do not want the mandated vaccine (spiritual reasons) and feel I don’t have time to build a case before they fire me at the end of November. I have not missed many days at work but I have spoken to HR and am waiting on speaking to a counselor/psychiatrist. What can I do if anything?
Hi Luis, thanks for the question! This one is very nuanced... While you obviously have the service requirements to apply and appear to have a valid medical reason, you will need a doctor to state that your medical condition is keeping you from fully performing your essential job duties and that the condition is expected to persist for a minimum of one year. As for the vaccine mandate, it does not factor into Federal Disability Retirement. You can apply for an exemption for that separately. In the end, it sounds like you may have a good case. I recommend giving our office a call and setting up a free consultation so we can walk you through your options. Thanks!
I’m in a very similar position. I have 22 years working in the federal prison system but I don’t have the age yet. Ptsd depression and anxiety are with me every day. I’m treated for it, but have managed to do my job. I don’t know if I can make it to retirement
@@jakec2009 I'm sorry to hear you're struggling to work. We understand how stressful that can be. This is exactly why Federal Disability Retirement exists. It can help you get from today to retirement age. Give us a call and setup a free consultation. There are no strings attached and it would be very insightful for you.
Hi Alphious - this webinar is specifically about Federal Disability Retirement. You can learn more about the OWCP schedule awards here: www.federaldisability.com/blog/2013/01/calculating-owcp-schedule-award/
Joshua, while we can’t specifically advise you on insurance, we suggest speaking with a insurance professional who can advise you in your specific situation. However, most major carriers have a clause in their products that offsets with Federal Disability Retirement benefits.
I have been watching a lot of your webinar and you keep telling your listeners to give you a call for questions. I tried to call your office twice . The person who answered asked all my info and was told a lawyer will give me call but NOBODY DID
Hello Elsa, thanks for letting us know. We do not have any record of you calling our office. Did you by chance call a different law firm? Please, try again at 877-226-2723
I m very very sure of the number that I called. TWICE on my second call I was told that my info were relayed to a LADY LAWYER and she will give me a call. It never happened . Base on the info that I gave to your receptionist no one is courteous enough to let me know if I dont have a case or not eligible to disability retirement .
@@amel928 We’re very sorry for any confusion. We would love to speak with you, but do not have anyone under your name in our database. Please, email us and let us know the best way to contact you: mail@harrisfederal.com Thank you for your patience!
This is a great question! Technically you CAN work for a private contracting company that services the federal government. However, if the position at the private sector job is similar to your federal job, it could cause issues with disability retirement. We tell our clients to look for a position very different from their original position, when possible.
This is a great question! The 40% is the amount of your High 3 Average Salary that you will be paid in a monthly annuity from year 2 until you rich the age of 62. If you find that this isn't enough and feel the need to go work in the private sector, you could go make up to 80% of your old positions CURRENT salary. So if your old position is currently paying $60,000, you could go make up to $48,000 in the private sector and still receive your 40% annuity on top of that. Hope this helps!
Hi - Due to the nature of applying for this benefit our firm charges an upfront fee. Set up a free consultation and we can walk you through your options: 877-226-2723
Very informative video. Thanks for sharing!
This is a great video.... thank you.
Glad you liked it!
Thank you for this informative video. I am receiving federal disability pay and would like to know what, if anything, I need to do once I turn 62. Will my monthly disability payment automatically be recalculated to full retirement pay?
Hi, can you do a video on OPM reviews of people already on disability retirement? What's involved, how often are these performed, what's the continuation of benefits rate, etc? Thanks!
Thank you for the helpful suggestion! We are currently working on creating new videos with this type of content. In the meantime, this video can help to provide some clarity on those topics ua-cam.com/video/hDBj_rF1fl0/v-deo.html
If you're collecting DR and SSDI can you still work and if so what percentage can I make? Also will if be recalculated at 62 my DR
If you are approved for SSDI there's a very strict earning limit. If you earn more than the substantial gainful activity limit, which is currently $1,550 per month, your benefits may be stopped. At age 62, your Federal Disability Retirement benefits will automatically transition into your regular FERS retirement!
If the years on disability retirement count towards your total overall years, could a person technically still retire at their Minimum Retirement Age? Say a 43 year old with 20 years in could normally retire at MRA of 57, goes for disability retirement. Do they have to wait until 62 for regular retirement to kick in or can it start at 57? Also, how does taking 60 and 40% of high 3 during disability retirement affect high 3 calculations for regular retirement once that starts? Is high 3 counted as the actual salary of your last position through disability or is it reduced? Do you still benefit from step increases and COLAs?
Hi HM, these are some great questions! There is a lot to cover here but we'll try to break it down:
1. Yes, 62 will be your new retirement age, even if you were originally eligible to retire earlier. But this is typically an advantage since Federal Disability Retirement pays more than regular retirement and your would still be earning creditable years of service while one the benefit.
2. The 60% and 40% annuity will not affect your regular retirement calculation at 62. Think of Federal Disability Retirement as an early retirement.
3. Your High 3 Average is your highest 36 consecutive months of basic pay. This is most likely your most recent 36 months. You can learn more here: www.federaldisability.com/faq/what-is-the-high-3-average/
4. While your annuity won't increase from step increases, you may be eligible to receive COLAs if you are currently receiving those.
Thanks for the question!
Is this available for active duty military or is this a different funding?
This benefit is only for FERS career federal employees!
Thank you
Thank you! Let us know if we can answer any questions.
Can you work another job in government as long as it is less than 80% original salary to still get FERS disability? Or has to be outside of government?
Joshua, we do not advise our clients to go this route as it can cause issues with the disability retirement annuity and put you at risk of the benefit being stopped. Thanks for the questions!
If I apply to federal disability retirement and am approved, can I continue to work at my federal job for a little while before deciding to accept it and go out? If so, how long do I have? Thank you!
If you are able to continue working at your federal agency, then you may not qualify for this benefit. To qualify for Federal Disability Retirement you must be unable to perform at least one of the essential functions of your job.
@@DisabilityRetirement I understand that and based on that I do qualify. I just want to make sure I have enough time to use all my sick and annual leave before accepting. Thank you.
I am age 64 and have a new back injury. I work as a nurse so I have already been off work for a month, and will be off for at least another month, when the specialist wants another set of x-rays. I have approximately 18 years 4 months of federal service including VA and USMC. Would you recommend I go about applying for early retirement, or applying for disability retirement?
Hi Donna - I'm sorry to hear you're going through such a difficult time. Since each case is different, I suggest giving our office a call and seeing what we can do to help: 877-226-2723
In the video what did they mean by Disabikity retirees can get a scheduled award while on disability retirement? What’s a scheduled award? Also, does every disability retiree get COLAs for their retirement?
Great questions! Schedule Awards are an OWCP Workers' Compensation benefit paid out for impairments to specific body parts that occurred during work. You can receive a schedule award while on Federal Disability Retirement but not OWCP wage loss payments. COLAs are not added to your disability annuity for the first 12 months after being approved, but COLAs which occur after this 12-month period will be added as they occur.
I am a federal firefighter (16 years civilian, 22 years total including military) and have been dealing with ptsd and anxiety for many years. I have always kept my problems to myself but have discussed it with my doctor. I am on medication for anxiety. I have a little over 5 years to retire and I don’t think I can handle my job anymore. I have never been in trouble nor have I been written up. I get anxious throughout the day and feel As though I’m losing control of myself along with memory issues. Although no one has noticed, I do feel these things. I want to apply for disability retirement but don’t know if I can. On top of this I do not want the mandated vaccine (spiritual reasons) and feel I don’t have time to build a case before they fire me at the end of November. I have not missed many days at work but I have spoken to HR and am waiting on speaking to a counselor/psychiatrist. What can I do if anything?
Hi Luis, thanks for the question! This one is very nuanced... While you obviously have the service requirements to apply and appear to have a valid medical reason, you will need a doctor to state that your medical condition is keeping you from fully performing your essential job duties and that the condition is expected to persist for a minimum of one year. As for the vaccine mandate, it does not factor into Federal Disability Retirement. You can apply for an exemption for that separately. In the end, it sounds like you may have a good case. I recommend giving our office a call and setting up a free consultation so we can walk you through your options. Thanks!
I feel this on anxiety and depression
I’m in a very similar position. I have 22 years working in the federal prison system but I don’t have the age yet. Ptsd depression and anxiety are with me every day. I’m treated for it, but have managed to do my job. I don’t know if I can make it to retirement
@@jakec2009 I'm sorry to hear you're struggling to work. We understand how stressful that can be. This is exactly why Federal Disability Retirement exists. It can help you get from today to retirement age. Give us a call and setup a free consultation. There are no strings attached and it would be very insightful for you.
Please let us know more about schedule award?
Hi Alphious - this webinar is specifically about Federal Disability Retirement. You can learn more about the OWCP schedule awards here: www.federaldisability.com/blog/2013/01/calculating-owcp-schedule-award/
Do you recommend federal employees to also buy separate long term disability insurance? Or not necessary?
Joshua, while we can’t specifically advise you on insurance, we suggest speaking with a insurance professional who can advise you in your specific situation. However, most major carriers have a clause in their products that offsets with Federal Disability Retirement benefits.
I have been watching a lot of your webinar and you keep telling your listeners to give you a call for questions. I tried to call your office twice . The person who answered asked all my info and was told a lawyer will give me call
but NOBODY DID
Hello Elsa, thanks for letting us know. We do not have any record of you calling our office. Did you by chance call a different law firm? Please, try again at 877-226-2723
I m very very sure of the number that I called. TWICE on my second call I was told that my info were relayed to a LADY LAWYER and she will give me a call. It never happened . Base on the info that I gave to your receptionist no one is courteous enough to let me know if I dont have a case or not eligible to disability retirement .
@@amel928 We’re very sorry for any confusion. We would love to speak with you, but do not have anyone under your name in our database. Please, email us and let us know the best way to contact you: mail@harrisfederal.com
Thank you for your patience!
What about working for a contracting company that does work for the federal government, like Court or Military base security, etc?
This is a great question! Technically you CAN work for a private contracting company that services the federal government. However, if the position at the private sector job is similar to your federal job, it could cause issues with disability retirement. We tell our clients to look for a position very different from their original position, when possible.
If you were granted you federal disability retirement and decided you 40% is not enough to live on. The job you want is over your 40% what happens
This is a great question! The 40% is the amount of your High 3 Average Salary that you will be paid in a monthly annuity from year 2 until you rich the age of 62. If you find that this isn't enough and feel the need to go work in the private sector, you could go make up to 80% of your old positions CURRENT salary. So if your old position is currently paying $60,000, you could go make up to $48,000 in the private sector and still receive your 40% annuity on top of that. Hope this helps!
How do you get paid if taking on a case?
Hi - Due to the nature of applying for this benefit our firm charges an upfront fee. Set up a free consultation and we can walk you through your options: 877-226-2723