Update on FERS disability

[ABCya]

I tried to find where I last mentioned this, but had no luck. So, I've started a new thread.
After a few years and eventually hiring an attorney, contacting a congressman, and many more months....I finally got a letter from OPM saying my disability retirement is approved! Now, just waiting for some loose strings to tidy up.
After 23 years, multiple surgeries, anti anxiety medication and gray hairs, Im getting paroled!!
Just wanted to share the good news with ya'll!

 

[mail1000]

I tried to find where I last mentioned this, but had no luck. So, I've started a new thread.
After a few years and eventually hiring an attorney, contacting a congressman, and many more months....I finally got a letter from OPM saying my disability retirement is approved! Now, just waiting for some loose strings to tidy up.
After 23 years, multiple surgeries, anti anxiety medication and gray hairs, Im getting paroled!!
Just wanted to share the good news with ya'll!

Congratulations!

 

[RammerJammer]

Congratulations and way to be relentless. Were you still working before you got approved?

 

[ABCya]

Congratulations and way to be relentless. Were you still working before you got approved?

I haven't worked in over 4 years.

 

[RammerJammer]

I haven't worked in over 4 years.

Did you just do a regular retirement 4 yrs ago and then proceed to get disability?

 

[ABCya]

Did you just do a regular retirement 4 yrs ago and then proceed to get disability?

No, I just went straight to the disability retirement.

 

[ABCya]

I've been trying to get on the OPM site to see what's going on with the retirement. I have the CSA#. But I still cannot get on because it's requesting a 1 time pass code. I hit send code, and each time, including today, the email returns saying it cannot send it, to call the # for assistance. Each day I've tried and then call the #, the recording says it has a high call volume to try again later.
I received my last form50 today. I cannot access LiteBlue anymore.
Im in no mans land.

 

[damifiknow]

hire a lawyer

 

[FrozenToes]

I've been trying to get on the OPM site to see what's going on with the retirement. I have the CSA#. But I still cannot get on because it's requesting a 1 time pass code. I hit send code, and each time, including today, the email returns saying it cannot send it, to call the # for assistance. Each day I've tried and then call the #, the recording says it has a high call volume to try again later.
I received my last form50 today. I cannot access LiteBlue anymore.
Im in no mans land.

Beginning of the year, Monday. Going to be busy. Same thing happened when I tried HRSSC. Just kept trying. I got through the next day immediately. I know you want answers. Try to be patient. Call again today. Tomorrow,next day....

 

[ABCya]

hire a lawyer

I hired Harris Federal last year, and also received help from a Congressman to move application through to OPM. I've been approved for disability retirement, and have a CSA number. Problem is I'm locked out of Lite blue, but also can't access OPM online, and no one answers or returns phone calls. I chuckle with sarcasm at myself. I actually thought the biggest headaches were now over, no more postal crap, etc. Lol.

 

[ABCya]

Im not sure if Ive updated elsewhere.
Heres the latest.
STILL no formal communication since receiving a letter with my disability retirement estimate. Its been another 2 mo.
I was trying to figure out a new budget for when i would be receiving pay finally.
Well, it turns out that my Social security disability amount is larger than my FERS disability amount.
60% of high 3 =x
x - 100% of Soc Sec amount=0
It looks like Ill get NADA. NOTHING. Thanks again for nothing %$#@! USPS.
I still have 10 yrs to get the full amount at 62.
Geese. Has anyone ever known of this happening to anyone before?

 

[justacarrier]

Im not sure if Ive updated elsewhere.
Heres the latest.
STILL no formal communication since receiving a letter with my disability retirement estimate. Its been another 2 mo.
I was trying to figure out a new budget for when i would be receiving pay finally.
Well, it turns out that my Social security disability amount is larger than my FERS disability amount.
60% of high 3 =x
x - 100% of Soc Sec amount=0
It looks like Ill get NADA. NOTHING. Thanks again for nothing %$#@! USPS.
I still have 10 yrs to get the full amount at 62.
Geese. Has anyone ever known of this happening to anyone before?

Actually this happens to everybody that has disability retirement, some may receive a reduced portion IF their 60% exceeds the Social Security Disability amount. What would actually disturb me the most in your situation is that you were not informed by Harris Federal of what you should have anticipated to receive. The FERS disability rules have been in place for many years and they should have prepared you for what to expect. At the end of the first 12 months it will change to "40% of your high-3 average salary minus 60% of your Social Security benefit for any month in which you are entitled to Social Security disability benefits." May or may not make a difference in what you will receive. But the one positive is that these years will continue to add to your time of service up till you reach age 62.

 

[ABCya]

Actually this happens to everybody that has disability retirement, some may receive a reduced portion IF their 60% exceeds the Social Security Disability amount. What would actually disturb me the most in your situation is that you were not informed by Harris Federal of what you should have anticipated to receive. The FERS disability rules have been in place for many years and they should have prepared you for what to expect. At the end of the first 12 months it will change to "40% of your high-3 average salary minus 60% of your Social Security benefit for any month in which you are entitled to Social Security disability benefits." May or may not make a difference in what you will receive. But the one positive is that these years will continue to add to your time of service up till you reach age 62.

Harris was quick to take my money. They handled paperwork. And directed me to online videos and articles. It was a Congressman that fought for me.
I knew about the offset, but never realized I could end up with nothing. I would have made a few decisions differently had I known that. But, it is what it is. Not sure what tomorrow holds, but I know Who holds my tomorrow! Thank you Lord.

 

[psd181]

Im not sure if Ive updated elsewhere.
Heres the latest.
STILL no formal communication since receiving a letter with my disability retirement estimate. Its been another 2 mo.
I was trying to figure out a new budget for when i would be receiving pay finally.
Well, it turns out that my Social security disability amount is larger than my FERS disability amount.
60% of high 3 =x
x - 100% of Soc Sec amount=0
It looks like Ill get NADA. NOTHING. Thanks again for nothing %$#@! USPS.
I still have 10 yrs to get the full amount at 62.
Geese. Has anyone ever known of this happening to anyone before?

first 2 years of FERS disability is awful. You give up all of your SS benefits for 1 year, and then 2nd year you got 40%?? going by memory here. You can google FERS disability calculator. One of the sites will give you a ball park figure.

That is one reason I stuck it out until I got to MRA and then got lucky and got an VERA with an incentive. I couldn't live on the FERS disability. But regular retirement is pretty good.

Harris was quick to take my money. They handled paperwork. And directed me to online videos and articles. It was a Congressman that fought for me.
I knew about the offset, but never realized I could end up with nothing. I would have made a few decisions differently had I known that. But, it is what it is. Not sure what tomorrow holds, but I know Who holds my tomorrow! Thank you Lord.

I wonder if you might be better off taking Deferred Early Retirement and just do SS disability? I've run numbers for myself once and it was interesting how that worked out. But sometime SS doesn't approve disability??

 

[pomastercontrolsmyfreedom]

first 2 years of FERS disability is awful. You give up all of your SS benefits for 1 year, and then 2nd year you got 40%?? going by memory here. You can google FERS disability calculator. One of the sites will give you a ball park figure.

That is one reason I stuck it out until I got to MRA and then got lucky and got an VERA with an incentive. I couldn't live on the FERS disability. But regular retirement is pretty good.

I wonder if you might be better off taking Deferred Early Retirement and just do SS disability? I've run numbers for myself once and it was interesting how that worked out. But sometime SS doesn't approve disability??

To clarify, you got a vera as a rural carrier?

 

[RammerJammer]

To clarify, you got a vera as a rural carrier?

No, I think they have posted before that they transferred to clerk craft. They only offer Vera to dispensable expendable replaceable nonessential employees. So that leaves carriers SOL.

 

[psd181]

No, I think they have posted before that they transferred to clerk craft. They only offer Vera to dispensable expendable replaceable nonessential employees. So that leaves carriers SOL.

yep, they had to take a city carrier off his route to replace me LOL But their idea is sound, get rid of old farts making top dollar and replace them with others on the lower end of the pay scale.

 

[ABCya]

first 2 years of FERS disability is awful. You give up all of your SS benefits for 1 year, and then 2nd year you got 40%?? going by memory here. You can google FERS disability calculator. One of the sites will give you a ball park figure.

That is one reason I stuck it out until I got to MRA and then got lucky and got an VERA with an incentive. I couldn't live on the FERS disability. But regular retirement is pretty good.

I wonder if you might be better off taking Deferred Early Retirement and just do SS disability? I've run numbers for myself once and it was interesting how that worked out. But sometime SS doesn't approve disability??

Maybe a deferred retirement would have worked to some degree, but I'd still have quite a few years to retire by age.
I have a decent social security disability payment, and Medicare advantage. Im just irked it looks like zero for disability retirement payment, due to having 100%subtracted from annuity amount.
It will change again in 12 mo. Then, when I'm 62 it will revert to regular retirement. So, in a way, it is deferred.

 

[justacarrier]

Maybe a deferred retirement would have worked to some degree, but I'd still have quite a few years to retire by age.
I have a decent social security disability payment, and Medicare advantage. Im just irked it looks like zero for disability retirement payment, due to having 100%subtracted from annuity amount.
It will change again in 12 mo. Then, when I'm 62 it will revert to regular retirement. So, in a way, it is deferred.

You did the right thing. In a situation where none of the options are great, you pick the one that in the end benefits you the most. I'm pretty sure as time goes on it will show that you made the most beneficial choice for yourself.