I recommend you note the difference between Active Duty retirement and reserve retirement. Those that retire as miltary Reserve CAN buy back their miltary time and Apply it to increase their FERS annuity. Was able to increase my FERS retirement by 10 years.
For Federal Disability Retirement purposes, both active duty and reserve can buy back their military time as long as you are not receiving military retired pay and you buy your time back before you separate from your federal job.
One exceptionally important note for military retirees: if - like many of us combat wounded veterans - your military retirement is a medical retirement due to combat-related injuries or an instrumentality of war, then you can buy back your military service WITHOUT having to waive your military retirement pay. Specific verbiage from OPM: “You cannot receive credit for any military service in your FERS retirement computation, if you are receiving military retired pay, unless you were awarded the retired pay: Due to a service-connected disability either incurred in combat with an enemy of the United States or caused by an instrumentality of war and incurred in the line of duty during a period of war” That can mean a major difference in your creditable civil service calculations.
What I have not found out, though a FERS early disability approve employee continues to get time in service and recalculated at 62, I was wondering if the employee will also get the auto step increases?
Step increases will not be included in your Federal Disability Retirement annuity payments, since that amount will be fixed and is based on your high 3 average at the time you apply for the benefit. However, you can work in the private sector and make up to 80% of what your federal position is currently making, which will change with step increases!
Is it easier for 100% permanent and total disabled veteran to get federal disability retirement if the Veteran became 100% service-connected disabled as a federal employee? I'm asking because in this case, would the Veteran's VA documents showing his/her disability be enough to justify the lack of ability to fully perform the job?
It can be helpful to receive a VA rating after you have been employed in the federal government since one of OPM's requirements for disability retirement is to prove that your condition either arose or worsened during federal employment. Those documents may be enough to prove your disability is affecting your ability to fully perform your job as long as you have sufficient evidence, clear restrictions, and supporting medical providers. You can reach out to our firm at 877-226-2723 to see how we can help!
Hello, I have the exact same issue as Johnny but my paperwork reads 100% perm & total housebound. My job is 100% travel which requires me to be on the road most of the time. I can't do my jb from home. Also, I'm wondering if I qualify to retire medically, is it best to buy my military time back before doing so? I have 10 years Air Force. ..Thank you
You must be a FERS career employee to qualify for Federal Disability Retirement! If you are not under the career FERS retirement plan, there may be other disability retirement options availability through the DoD.
Great question! The answer is yes, if at age 62 your service equals more than 20 years, you’ll receive 1.1% of your high-3 salary for each year of service.
@@MT-yx5cu It's not 10% of your high 3 average, but an additional 10% of your monthly retirement annuity- this can be super confusing. Imagine your high 3 average is $100,000, 1.1% of this is $1,100 which is 10% more than 1% of $100,000.
@@MT-yx5cu We know this may seem disheartening but keep in mind your annuity is meant to be used with your other FERS retirement benefits like SSD and your TSP.
Great question! You actually won't lose many benefits, if any at all. While on FERS Disability Retirement you will have the option to maintain your health and life insurance benefits and you will continue to earn creditable years of service towards your retirement. You will not be able to contribute to your TSP while on FERS Disability Retirement but you will be able to access it at your retirement age if you don't cash it out or roll it over. Once you hit age 62, your FERS Disability Retirement will automatically transfer into your regular retirement!
There will no longer be an offset between SSDI and Federal Disability Retirement when you turn 62. You will begin receiving your full social security benefits at your full retirement age.
I recommend you note the difference between Active Duty retirement and reserve retirement. Those that retire as miltary Reserve CAN buy back their miltary time and Apply it to increase their FERS annuity. Was able to increase my FERS retirement by 10 years.
For Federal Disability Retirement purposes, both active duty and reserve can buy back their military time as long as you are not receiving military retired pay and you buy your time back before you separate from your federal job.
One exceptionally important note for military retirees: if - like many of us combat wounded veterans - your military retirement is a medical retirement due to combat-related injuries or an instrumentality of war, then you can buy back your military service WITHOUT having to waive your military retirement pay. Specific verbiage from OPM:
“You cannot receive credit for any military service in your FERS retirement computation, if you are receiving military retired pay, unless you were awarded the retired pay:
Due to a service-connected disability either incurred in combat with an enemy of the United States or caused by an instrumentality of war and incurred in the line of duty during a period of war”
That can mean a major difference in your creditable civil service calculations.
Thanks for this addition!
What I have not found out, though a FERS early disability approve employee continues to get time in service and recalculated at 62, I was wondering if the employee will also get the auto step increases?
Step increases will not be included in your Federal Disability Retirement annuity payments, since that amount will be fixed and is based on your high 3 average at the time you apply for the benefit. However, you can work in the private sector and make up to 80% of what your federal position is currently making, which will change with step increases!
Is it easier for 100% permanent and total disabled veteran to get federal disability retirement if the Veteran became 100% service-connected disabled as a federal employee? I'm asking because in this case, would the Veteran's VA documents showing his/her disability be enough to justify the lack of ability to fully perform the job?
It can be helpful to receive a VA rating after you have been employed in the federal government since one of OPM's requirements for disability retirement is to prove that your condition either arose or worsened during federal employment. Those documents may be enough to prove your disability is affecting your ability to fully perform your job as long as you have sufficient evidence, clear restrictions, and supporting medical providers. You can reach out to our firm at 877-226-2723 to see how we can help!
Hello, I have the exact same issue as Johnny but my paperwork reads 100% perm & total housebound. My job is 100% travel which requires me to be on the road most of the time. I can't do my jb from home. Also, I'm wondering if I qualify to retire medically, is it best to buy my military time back before doing so? I have 10 years Air Force. ..Thank you
What about Army Reserve?
You must be a FERS career employee to qualify for Federal Disability Retirement! If you are not under the career FERS retirement plan, there may be other disability retirement options availability through the DoD.
Hi,
If you have 20yr or more of creditable service once you hit 62 you get and extra 10% on top?
Thank!
Great question! The answer is yes, if at age 62 your service equals more than 20 years, you’ll receive 1.1% of your high-3 salary for each year of service.
@@DisabilityRetirement I thought you said 10% not 1.1%. Can you explain?
@@MT-yx5cu It's not 10% of your high 3 average, but an additional 10% of your monthly retirement annuity- this can be super confusing. Imagine your high 3 average is $100,000, 1.1% of this is $1,100 which is 10% more than 1% of $100,000.
@@DisabilityRetirement thanks for responding! Wow, so I will have worked 25+ yrs (by the time I'm age 60) just to get $1,100 per month?
@@MT-yx5cu We know this may seem disheartening but keep in mind your annuity is meant to be used with your other FERS retirement benefits like SSD and your TSP.
What federal benefits do you lose after getting approved for the FERS disability retirement?
Great question! You actually won't lose many benefits, if any at all. While on FERS Disability Retirement you will have the option to maintain your health and life insurance benefits and you will continue to earn creditable years of service towards your retirement. You will not be able to contribute to your TSP while on FERS Disability Retirement but you will be able to access it at your retirement age if you don't cash it out or roll it over. Once you hit age 62, your FERS Disability Retirement will automatically transfer into your regular retirement!
@@DisabilityRetirement when you mean transfer do you mean it adds to my FERS pension?
When you are 62 and then turn to ss how much is the pay then?
There will no longer be an offset between SSDI and Federal Disability Retirement when you turn 62. You will begin receiving your full social security benefits at your full retirement age.
And what is the full amount?
@@sonaleesantiago457 your social security benefit will be calculated based on your average indexed monthly earnings, so it differs for everyone.
@@DisabilityRetirementIs this for FERS or CSRS?