The federal government allows its employees to take retirement under Federal Disability Retirement. But this retirement system is not designed for all. This retirement system works when if an employee can’t continue their service due to some medical conditions. If you are the one who is unable to continue their position, you may take early retirement through Federal Disability Retirement. This article will walk you through the qualification standards required for this retirement. Stay with this article to learn more.
Furthermore, suppose you are experiencing a particular medical condition and want to retire from your federal career. In that case, you will have to apply to the OPM or the Office of Personnel Management. The application should clarify the reasons how you are unable to work for your current position. The OPM reviews your application and makes different decisions. If you want to know your retirement benefits, call a professional who will use a federal employee retirement calculator to assist you.
Definition of disability for a federal employee
According to the OPM, the definition of Federal Disability Retirement is “Any medical condition that inhibits an employee from continuing to complete at least one of the major functions of their current position.”
Who can go for Federal Disability Retirement?
To make yourself eligible for Federal Disability Retirement, you will first need to enroll in the CSRS or Civil Service Retirement System for at least five years. On the other hand, you enroll for FERS; you will have to enroll for at least 18 months as a full-time employee. You can call a federal consultant to know more about it, along with FEGLI rates by age.
When it comes to qualification for disability retirement, it depends on medical evidence you provide from a doctor supporting your matter. Your medical conditions should indicate that you can’t do at least one responsibility of your position for at least 12 months. That means if you are involved in a light-duty job, you can still take advantage of disability retirement. If still, you have any confusion regarding the eligibility for disability retirement, you can call a professional. They will also help you with FEGLI rates by age.
What does it mean by Total vs. Occupational disability?
If you want to retire under the disability retirement system, you will prove that you have an occupational disability. That means your disability is not allowing you to perform your job description properly. Now you may be clear a little about total disability. A total disability is a kind of disability that completely prevents you from doing your job. This is why federal employees are eligible for Federal Disability Retirement but not for SSDI or Social Security Disability Insurance. To know about the retirement benefits, you will need to use a federal employee retirement calculator.
Medical conditions for Federal Disability Retirement
Employees with both physical and mental conditions can opt for Federal Disability Retirement. Here we have included a list of common medical conditions that are eligible for disability retirement.
- Physical tear like a ligament.
- Car accident
- Stroke or heart attack
- Degenerative diseases
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Tendinitis
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Major Depressive Disorder
- Bipolar Disease
- PTSD
On the job vs. Pre-existing
You become eligible for disability retirement when you are unable to perform the essential duties of your position. You can have this medical condition while working on the job, or it is a pre-existing condition that gets worsened over time. For example, if you are experiencing migraines, it can worsen while working for the federal government. While the migraines are pre-existing, they still help you take advantage of disability retirement. After all, if you want to calculate your retirement benefits, you can use a federal employee retirement calculator.
Special Provisions Considerations
If you are an employee of special provisions, you will have a different disability retirement. That is why you need to consider a few things when applying for Federal Disability Retirement. Usually, special provisions work with the higher fit for duty requirements compared to FERS positions. They also follow stricter medication allowances as most special provision employees are considered unfit if they take any antidepressant or antipsychotic. After all, if you need to know your retirement benefits, you can use a federal employee retirement calculator or consult a federal professional. That’s all.
