Early medical retirement options?

[driftdodger]

Hello ya'll! So, I just got back a pretty shaky MRI result on my low back. Lots of degenerative disc problems, pinched nerves, etc.. I'm 53 and in pain.. Looking for any advice...what steps to take if interested in possible early medical retirement...not sure where to start. TIA!!

 

[justacarrier]

Hello ya'll! So, I just got back a pretty shaky MRI result on my low back. Lots of degenerative disc problems, pinched nerves, etc.. I'm 53 and in pain.. Looking for any advice...what steps to take if interested in possible early medical retirement...not sure where to start. TIA!!

If you DR is willing to say you and no longer capable of doing the job of a rural carrier then you would qualify for disability retirement. Can be a long haul to get approved but it your DR states it clearly then you could look into it.

 

[DB.Cooper]

You probably need to start by getting a doctor to say the type of work you are doing is contributing to your health demise...

 

[Gotrope]

If you DR is willing to say you and no longer capable of doing the job of a rural carrier then you would qualify for disability retirement. Can be a long haul to get approved but it your DR states it clearly then you could look into it.

And be ready to be immediately off work because they won't have you on the floor after that diagnosis. So, unless you have leave, no income

 

[justacarrier]

And be ready to be immediately off work because they won't have you on the floor after that diagnosis. So, unless you have leave, no income

This is true and one thing you always have to remember is that after 1 year of being in non-pay status they will discontinue your health benefit. This is something that gets forgot about and is so very important for most people in this situation.

 

[Gotrope]

This is true and one thing you always have to remember is that after 1 year of being in non-pay status they will discontinue your health benefit. This is something that gets forgot about and is so very important for most people in this situation.

Unless the carrier is claiming a work related injury. Then it extends to 2 years. And monthly form 17 with a fitness for duty every so often tossed in.
But, in any case, be prepared for no income.

 

[DB.Cooper]

Can you file for unemployment or welfare????

 

[Gotrope]

Can you file for unemployment or welfare????

Possibly an early soc sec disability. Unemployment won't touch federal workers unless it is a mass layoff

 

[DB.Cooper]

Possibly an early soc sec disability. Unemployment won't touch federal workers unless it is a mass layoff

I once heard RCAs could file for partial unemployment when they had significant reductions in their work hours... and maybe that varies by state... But, if that's true, you'd think a REG could get something if their pay gets reduced to zero by their employer... if it happened to me, I'd damned sure be trying to file for anything and everything I thought that might SHOW ME SOME MONEY!!!!! LOL....

 

[calimailman]

I once heard RCAs could file for partial unemployment when they had significant reductions in their work hours... and maybe that varies by state... But, if that's true, you'd think a REG could get something if their pay gets reduced to zero by their employer... if it happened to me, I'd damned sure be trying to file for anything and everything I thought that might SHOW ME SOME MONEY!!!!! LOL....

My whole "career" as an RCA I filed for unemployment benefits when needed.

You have to file an unemployment application for federal employees. Your benefit was based on the highest wages earned in 3 month blocks going back a year.

So many people I worked with told me "you can't do that." Including post masters.
I simply pulled out the card from my wallet and like DB always says. "Show me the money."

 

[DB.Cooper]

I've never collected unemployment, but I always felt like after paying into it for years, if I ever needed it, it should be there for me... So if I were a Reg and lost my wages, I would check everywhere possible to see where I could get some help.... It's not charity, it's something we've
paid for via payroll deductions.... Like social security and Medicare...

 

[justacarrier]

My whole "career" as an RCA I filed for unemployment benefits when needed.

You have to file an unemployment application for federal employees. Your benefit was based on the highest wages earned in 3 month blocks going back a year.

So many people I worked with told me "you can't do that." Including post masters.
I simply pulled out the card from my wallet and like DB always says. "Show me the money."

I'm not 100% sure but I do think the state you live in has a lot to do with this. My understanding was that in some states you can file for this and some you can't.