fers disability annuity

8/12/2019 FERS Disability Annuity

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U S Office of Personnel anagement

Informationfor

DisabilityAnnuitants

Federal EmployeesRetirement System

(FERS)

U.S. Office of Personnel Management


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WeprovideretirementinformationontheInternet.Youwillfindretirementbrochures,formsandotherinformationat:

www.opm.gov/retire

Youmayalsocommunicatewithususingemailat:

[email protected]
http://www.opm.gov/retiremailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.opm.gov/retire


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Table of Contents

Page

I. DisabilityAnnuityComputation .................1

II. EntitlementtoOtherBenefits/EffectonFederalEmployeesRetirementSystem(FERS)

DisabilityAnnuity....................................4

III. PeriodicMedicalReviews...........................7

IV. EarningsWhileReceivingFederalEmployeesRetirement

System(FERS)DisabilityRetirementBenefits.................................8

V. ReemploymentintheFederalService......................................11

VI. FutureAnnuityRightsifYourAnnuityStopsandYouAreNotReemployedintheFederalGovernment............................. .............13

VII. AdditionalInformation..............................17

Ifyouareanemployee,youshouldnotusethe

addressescontainedinthispamphlet.TheU.S.OfficeofPersonnelManagement(OPM)doesnothaveaccesstoyourpersonnelrecords.Instead,youshoulddirectanyfurtherquestionsyoumayhavetothepersonnelofficeofyouragency.

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I. Disability Annuity Computation

Computation of Federal EmployeesRetirement System (FERS) Disability

Annuity

FERSdisabilitybenefitsarecomputedindifferentwaysdependingontheannuitantsageandamountofserviceatretirement.Inaddition,FERSdisabilityretirementbenefitsarerecomputedafterthefirst12monthsandagainatage62,iftheannuitantisunderage62atthetimeofdisabilityretirement.

Ifatdisabilityretirementyouarealready62yearsold,oryoumeettheageandservicerequirementsforimmediatevoluntaryretirement,youwillreceiveyourearnedannuitybasedonthegeneralFERSannuitycomputation:

1%ofyourhigh3averagesalary

Multiplied by

youryearsandmonthsofservice

However,ifyouareatleast62yearsoldandhavecompletedatleast20yearsofservice,yourannuitywillbecomputedasfollows:

1.1%ofyourhigh3averagesalary

Multiplied by

youryearsandmonthsofservice

Ifatdisabilityretirementyouareunderage62andnoteligibleforvoluntaryretirement,youwillreceivethefollowingbenefit:

a. Forthefirst12months

60%ofyourhigh3averagesalaryminus100%ofyourSocialSecuritybenefitforanymonthinwhichyouareentitledtoSocialSecuritydisabilitybenefits.

b. Afterthefirst12months

40%ofyourhigh3averagesalaryminus60%ofyourSocialSecuritybenefitforanymonthinwhichyouareentitledtoSocialSecuritydisabilitybenefits.

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However,youareentitledtoyourearnedannuity(1percentofyourhigh3averagesalarymultipliedbyyouryearsandmonthsofservice),

ifitislargerthanyourdisabilityannuitycomputedunderstepsa.orb.above.

c. Whenyoureachage62

Yourannuitywillberecomputedusingan

amountthatessentiallyrepresentstheannuityyouwouldhavereceivedifyouhadcontinuedworkinguntilthedaybeforeyour62ndbirth-dayandthenretiredundertheFederalEmployeesRetirementSystem(FERS)nondisabilityprovisions.Thetotalserviceusedin

thecomputationwillbeincreasedbytheamountoftimeyouhavereceivedadisabilityannuity,andyouraveragesalarywillbeincreasedbyallFERScostoflivingincreasespaidduringthetimeyoureceivedadisabilityannuity.TheFERSbasicannuityformula(1percentofyourhigh3averagesalarymult-ipliedbyyourtotalyearsandmonthsofservice)isthenapplied,usingtheadjustedtimebaseandaveragesalary.Ifyouractualserviceplusthecreditfortimeasadisabilityannuitant

equals20ormoreyears,theformulawouldbe1.1percent ofyourhigh3averagesalarymultipliedbythetotalofyouryearsandmonthsofserviceplustheyearsandmonthsspentasanannuitant.

Yourbasicannualannuitywillbereducedtoprovidesurvivorannuitybenefitsifyouaremarried(unlessyouandyourspousejointlywaivethesurvivorbenefit)orifyouarerequiredbyaqualifyingcourtordertoprovide

benefitsforaformerspouse.

Computation of High3 AverageSalary

Yourhigh3averagesalaryisfiguredbyaveragingyourhighestbasicpayoveranythreeyearsofcon-secutiveservice.Thesethreeyearsareusuallyyourfinalthreeyearsofservice,butcanbeanearlierperiod,ifyourbasicpaywashigherduringthatperiod.Yourbasicpayisthebasicsalaryyouearn

foryourposition.Itincludesincreasestoyoursal-aryforwhichretirementdeductionsarewithheld,

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suchasforshiftrates,nightshiftdifferential,etc.Itdoesnotincludepaymentsforovertime,bonuses,etc.(Ifyourtotalservicewaslessthan3

years,youraveragesalaryisfiguredbyaveragingyourbasicpayduringallofyourperiodsofcredit-ableFederalservice.)

Computation of Survivor Benefits for

Current/Former Spouse

If you die before reaching age 62:Ifyouelectedtoprovideafullsurvivorbenefit,yoursurvivorwillreceiveanannuityequalto50

percentofyourunreducedannuitycomputedusingtheearnedannuityformula(1percentofyourhigh3averagesalarymultipliedbyyouryearsandmonthsofFederalservice).However,youraveragesalarywillbeincreasedbyallcostoflivingadjustmentsthatyoureceivedwhileyouwereonthe annuityrollandyourFederalservicewillbeincreasedbytheyearsandmonthsthatyouwereontheannuityroll,plustheyearsandmonthsbetweenthedateofyourdeathandthedateofyour62ndbirthday.Ifyouelectedtoprovidea

partialsurvivorbenefit,yoursurvivorwillreceive25percentofthisamount.

If you die after reaching age 62:Ifyouelectedtoprovideafullsurvivorbenefit,yoursurvivorwillreceiveanannuityequalto50

percentoftheunreducedamountthatwouldhavebeenpayabletoyouonthedaybeforethedateofyourdeath.Ifyouelectedtoprovideapartialsurvivorbenefit,yoursurvivorwillreceiveanannuityequalto25percentofthisamount.

CostofLiving Adjustments (COLAs)

Ifyouareunderage62,andyourannuitywascomputedusing60percentofyourhigh3averagesalary,COLAsarenotpayableforthefirst12months.COLAswhichoccurafterthis12monthperiodarepayable.Ifyouareage62atretirementorifyoumeettheageandservicerequirementsforanimmediateFederalEmployeesRetirementSystem(FERS)annuity,allCOLAsoccurringafterthecommencingdateofannuityarepayable.

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II. Entitlement to Other Benefits/Effect on Federal Employees

Retirement System (FERS)Disability Annuity

Social Security Benefits

Entitled to Benefits From the Social SecurityAdministration:Ifyouareunderage62andyourannuitybenefitswerecomputedusingeither60percentor40percentofyourhigh3averagesalary,theOfficeofPersonnelManagement(OPM)willreduceyour

monthlyannuitybyalloraportionofyourSocialSecuritybenefits.Whileyouarereceivinganannu-itycomputedusingthe60percentcomputation,OPMmustreduceyourmonthlyannuityby100percentofanySocialSecuritydisabilitybenefittowhichyouareentitled.Whileyouarereceivinganannuitycomputedusingthe40percentcomputa-tion,yourmonthlyannuitywillbereducedby60percentofanySocialSecuritydisabilitybenefittowhichyouareentitled.Thisreductiononlyappliesformonthsinwhichyouareconcurrentlyentitled

tobothFERSandSocialSecuritybenefits.

Notifying OPM of Receipt of Social SecurityBenefits:IftheSocialSecurityAdministrationawardsyoumonthlybenefits,youmustnotifyOPMofthe

amountofthemonthlySocialSecuritybenefitandtheeffectivedateofthepaymentimmediatelyuponbecomingeligible.ItisyourresponsibilitytominimizeanyperiodofoverpaymentbypromptlynotifyingOPM.YoushouldforwardtoOPMa

copyoftheawardnoticeorastatementfromtheSocialSecurityAdministrationshowingthemonthlyamountandeffectivedateofyourSocialSecuritybenefit.Thisinformationshouldbeforwardedto:

U.S. Office of Personnel ManagementFederal Employees Retirement SystemBoyers, PA 16017-0001

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FederalEmployeesRetirementSystem(FERS)disabilitybenefitsusuallybeginbeforetheclaimforSocialSecuritybenefitsisfullyprocessed.

BecausetheFERSdisabilitybenefitmustbereducedby100percentofanySocialSecuritybenefitpayableforthefirst12months,SocialSecuritychecksshouldnotbenegotiateduntiltheFERSbenefithasbeenreduced.TheSocialSecuritycheckswillbeneededtopaytheOfficeofPerson-

nelManagement(OPM)forthereductionwhichshouldhavebeenmadeintheFERSannuity.

IfyouareeligibletoreceiveSocialSecuritydisabil-itybenefitsbutdonotreceivethembecauseof

eligibilityforbenefitsfromtheOfficeofWorkersCompensationPrograms(OWCP),youmuststillnotifyOPMofyoureligibilityandtheamountyouwouldbeeligibletoreceiveifyouwerenotreceivingbenefitsfromOWCP.

Notifying OPM if You Lose Entitlement toSocial Security Benefits:IfyouloseentitlementtoSocialSecuritydisabilitybenefitswhilereceivingaFERSdisabilitybenefit,youwillneedtocontactOPM.Wewillverifyyourlossofsocialsecurityeligibilityandrecalculateyourbenefitwithoutasocialsecurityreduction.

Compensation From the Office ofWorkers Compensation Programs

(OWCP), U.S. Department of Labor

Entitled to a Total or Partial Disability(Non-Scheduled Award) Award:Ifyourworkerscompensationawardisbasedon

totalorpartialdisability(anonscheduledaward),youmaynotreceiveaFERSannuityduringthesameperiodyouareinreceiptofOWCPCompen-sationbenefits.IfyouarereceivingthistypeofWorkersCompensation,youmustpromptlynotifyOPMofyourcompensationaward.YoushouldalsonotifyOPMofanychangeinthereasonforyourcompensationaward(forexample,yourbenefitischangedfromascheduledtoanon scheduledaward).Youwillbeliableforanyoverpaymentofannuitythatoccursduetodual

paymentofbenefitswhileyouarereceivinganonscheduledaward.

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ItisyourresponsibilitytominimizeanyperiodofoverpaymentbypromptlynotifyingtheOfficeofPersonnelManagement(OPM)at:

U.S. Office of Personnel ManagementFederal Employees Retirement SystemBoyers, PA 16017-0001

Entitled to a Scheduled Award:

IfyoureceiveascheduledawardfromtheOfficeofWorkersCompensationPrograms(OWCP),youmayreceiveboththiscompensationandanyFederalEmployeesRetirementSystem(FERS)annuity.Ascheduledawardisusuallybasedonadisabilityresultingfromthelossofa

functionormemberofthebody,suchasahearinglossorthelossofanarm.YoudonotneedtonotifyOPMofthereceiptofascheduledaward.However,youneedtonotifyOPMifthescheduledawardisconvertedtoanonscheduledawardinthefuture.

Survivor Rights Under FERS If Your FERSAnnuity Is Suspended Because YouAre Receiving Compensation Benefits FromOWCP:

Ifyoursurvivorsarenoteligiblefordeathcompen-sationbenefitsfromOWCPandyoudidnotgetarefundoftheamountinyourFERSretirementaccount,theymayreceiveFERSsurvivorannuitybenefits,providedtheyareotherwiseeligibleforthisbenefit.However,thelawprohibitsreceiptofOWCPdeathcompensationandFERSsurvivorannuitybenefitsatthesametime.Therefore,ifyoursurvivorsareeligibleforbothcompensationandFERSsurvivorannuitybenefits,theywillhavetoelectwhichofthetwobenefitstheywishto

receive.(AsurvivorselectiontoreceivedeathcompensationfromOWCPinlieuofthesurvivorannuityterminatesthepersonsrighttoFERSsurvivorannuitybenefits.)IfyoureligiblesurvivorsareentitledtoOWCPbenefitsunderascheduledawardorduetoathirdpartysettlement,theymay

receivesurvivorannuityandcompensationbenefitscoveringthesameperiodoftime.

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III. Periodic Medical Reviews

YourdisabilityannuitywillstopiftheOfficeof

PersonnelManagement(OPM)determinesthatyouarerecoveredfromyourdisablingcondition.

Periodic Review of Eligibility

Afteryoubeginreceivingdisabilityretirement,OPMmayreviewyoureligibilityforcontinueddisabilitybenefitsatanytimeweconsideritnecessary.

Procedures for Periodic Review:

If you are under age 60 OPMwillcontactyouandaskyoutoprovideacurrentreportfromyourphysicianortreatingmed-icalfacilityconcerningthestatusofthemedicalconditiononwhichyourretirementisbased.

Youllalsobeaskedtoprovideinformationregard-ingyourcurrentemploymentstatusandotherpertinentactivities.Ifyoudonotrespondtoourrequestforinformation,yourannuitymaybesuspended.

If you are age 60 or older OPMwillreviewyoureligibilityforcontinueddisabilitybenefitsonlyifyouspecificallyrequestthatwefindyourecoveredfromthedisabilityandyoufurnishmedicalevidenceshowingyouhave

recoveredfromthedisabilityforwhichyouretired.Ifwethenfindyourecovered,yourannuitywillstop.

Cost of Medical Exam:YoumustpayanyexpensesinvolvedinansweringOPMsrequestformedicalevidencetosupportyourcontinuedeligibilityfordisabilityretirement.

Termination of Annuity If You Are

Found RecoveredYourannuitywillstopattheendof1yearfromthedateofthemedicalexaminationorreportshowingyourrecovery,oryourannuitywillstopuponyourreemploymentintheFederalGovernment,which-

everoccursfirst.

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IV. Earnings While ReceivingFederal Employees Retirement

System (FERS) DisabilityRetirement Benefits

Earning Income While ReceivingDisability Retirement

Ifyouareage60orolder,thereisnorestrictionontheamountofincomeyoucanearnwhilereceiv-ingdisabilityretirement.Ifyouareunderage60,youcanearnincomefromworkwhilealsoreceiv-ingdisabilityretirementbenefits;however,your

disabilityannuitywillstopiftheOfficeofPersonnelManagement(OPM)determinesthatyouareabletoearnanincomewhichisclosetowhatyourearningswouldbeifyouhadcontinuedworking.Theretirementlawhassetanearningslimitof80percentinorderforyoutocontinueyourdisabilityretirement.Youreachthe80percentearningslimit(orarerestoredtoearningcapacity)if,inanycalendaryear,yourincomefromwagesandselfemploymentisatleast80percentofthecurrentrateofbasicpayforthepositionfromwhichyou

retired.

How We Determine the Current Rateof Pay For the Position From WhichYou Retired

ThecurrentrateofpayforthepositionfromwhichyouretiredisthecurrentrateofbasicpayineffectonDecember31oftheyearforwhichyouarereportingyourincome.Basicpay,forthispurpose,istheamountofpaythatissubjecttoFERS

retirementdeductions,includinglocalitypayforthelocationfromwhichyouretired,nightpayforwagegradeemployees,andcertaintypesofpremiumpayforfirefightersandlawenforcementofficers.Itdoesnotincludebonuses,allowances,

overtimepay,holidayormilitarypay,ornightpayforGeneralSchedule(GS)employees.Nordoesitincludeterritorialorforeign postdifferentialpay,exceptthosepositionswhereitwasspecificallymadeapartofthebasicsalary.ForGSemployees,itisessentiallythecurrentpayrateforthegrade

andstepofthepositionfromwhichyouretired.

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ForpostalemployeesitistherateofpaysubjecttoFederalEmployeesRetirementSystem(FERS)retirementdeductions.

Definition of Earnings

Income Included in Definition of Earnings:

Allincomefromwagesandselfemploymentthatyouactuallyreceived,plusdeferredincomewhichyouactuallyearned,inthecalendaryearisconsid-eredearnings.Anymoneyreceivedbeforeyourretirementisnotconsideredearnings.

Incomefromwagesincludesanysalaryreceivedwhileworkingforsomeoneelse(includingovertime,vacationpay,etc.).Incomefromselfemploymentisanynetprofityoumadefromworkingormanagingyourownbusiness,whetherathomeorelsewhere.NetprofitistheamountremainingafterdeductingbusinessexpensesandbeforethedeductionofanypersonalexpensesorexemptionsallowedbytheInternalRevenueService.Deferredincomeisanyincomeyouearned,butdidnotreceive,inthecalendaryear

forwhichyouareclaimingincomebelowthe80percentearningslimitation.

IfyouarereemployedintheFederalserviceandyoursalaryisreducedbythegrossamountofyourannuity,thegrossamountofyoursalarybeforethe

reductionisconsideredearningsduringthecalen-daryear.

Income Not Included In the Definition of

Earnings:Gifts,pensions/annuities,SocialSecuritybenefits,insuranceproceeds,unemploymentcompensation,rents/royaltiesnotinvolvingorresultingfrompersonalservices,interest/dividendsnotresultingfromyourowntradeorbusiness,moneywhich

youearnedbeforeretirement,inheritances,capitalgains,prizes/awards,fellowships/scholarshipsandnetbusinesslossesarenotconsideredearnings.

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Annual Income Survey

Eachyear,theOfficeofPersonnelManagement(OPM)sendsaquestionnairetodisabilityannu-

itantsunderage60todeterminetheirearningsforthepreviouscalendaryear.ThissurveyformiscalledtheAnnuitantsReportofIncome.Normally,OPMmailstheformsinFebruary/Marcheachyear.PleasenoteitisimportantthatOPMhas

yourcurrentmailingaddresstomailtheformtoyou.

Termination of Annuity If You Reachthe 80% Earnings Limit

Yourdisabilityannuitypaymentswillbecontinuedfor6monthsfromtheendofthecalendaryearinwhichyourincomeequaledorexceededthe80percentearningslimitationandwillthenstop.Forexample,ifyourincomein1999exceedsthe

80percentlimitation,yourannuitywillstoponJune30,2000.However,yourdisabilityannuitywillstopbeforethe6monthsexpiresifyoubecomereemployedintheFederalservicewithinthatperiod.

Ifyourincomeforacalendaryearshowsthatyouhavereachedthe80percentearningslimit,wewillwritetoyoutotellyouthatyourannuitywillstop.Wealsowillletyouknowwhetheryouareeligibleforanothertypeofannuity.

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V. Reemployment in the FederalService

IfyourmedicalconditionimprovestoapointwhereyouwanttogobacktoworkoriftheOfficeofPersonnelManagement(OPM)terminatesyourannuitybecauseyouhavemetthe80percentearningslimitationoryouarerecovered,youcan

applyforreemployment.Youmaybereemployedinanypositionforwhichyouarequalified.ThelawdoesnotrequireyourformeragencyoranyotherFederalagencytoautomaticallyofferyouaposition.However,youmaybeeligibleforpriorityplacementundertheInteragencyCareer

TransitionAssistancePlan(ICTAP).ToapplyunderICTAP,youshouldcontactyourformeragencyifitstillexists,orthenearestOPMServiceCenterlistedunderUnitedStatesGovernmentinyourtele-phonebook.Youmayapplyatanytimeafter

receivinganoticeofrecoveryorrestorationtoearningcapacity(reachingthe80percentearningslimit)fromus,butnolaterthanoneyearafteryourannuityends.

Continuing to Receive Your DisabilityAnnuity if You Are Reemployed in theFederal Service

Ifyoureunderage60andreemployedinapositionequivalenttothepositionyouheldat

retirement,OPMwillfindyourecoveredfromyourdisabilityandwillstopyourannuitypaymentswhenthisfindingismade.

Ifyouarereemployedinapositionthatisnotequivalenttothepositionyouheldatretirement,yourannuitywillcontinueandyoursalarywillbeoffsetbytheamountofyourannuityfortheperiodofreemployment.Youwillbesubjecttothe80percentearningslimitexplainedinSectionIV.

Ifyoureunderage60andOPMterminatesyourannuitybecauseyoureachedthe80percentearningslimitoryouhavebeenfoundrecoveredfromyourdisability,yourpaymentswillstoponthedateyourereemployedintheFederalservice,evenifyourereemployedinapositionthatisnot

equivalenttothepositionyouheldatretirement.

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Ifyoureoverage60atthetimeofreemployment,yourannuitypaymentswillcontinueandyoursal-arywillbereducedbytheamountofyourannuity.

Thereisnolimitontheamountofearningsyoumayreceive.Youwillnotbefoundrecoveredonthebasisofyouremploymentunlessyouspecifi-callyrequesttobefoundrecovered.

Note: If you retired under the special provision for

Military Reserve Technicians who do not meet theregular medical requirements for disability retire-ment, this section does not apply to you.Your annuity will terminate on the date you areappointed to any Federal position, or decline an

offer of appointment to a Federal position withinthe commuting area of your former position and atthe same or equivalent grade.

Who to Notify if You Are Reemployed

in the Federal GovernmentYoumusttelltheagencyinwhichyouareseekingreemploymentthatyouareaFederalEmployeesRetirementSystem(FERS)annuitant.YoumustalsonotifytheOfficeofPersonnelManagement

(OPM)at:U.S. Office of Personnel ManagementRetirement Operations CenterBoyers, PA 16017.

Ifpossible,provideacopyofthepersonneldocu-mentshowingyourappointmentorprovidethefullnameandaddressofyouremployingagency.Besuretogiveyourretirementclaimnumber(CSAnumber).

Benefits Payable When Reemploy-ment Ends

Whenyourreemploymentends,youhavethesameretirementrightsasanyotherFederal

employeewiththesameage,lengthofserviceandkindofseparation.Thatis,youmayqualifyforannuitybenefitsonlyifyouapplyforretirementandyouareotherwiseeligibleforanannuity.Ifuponsubmissionofnewmedicalevidence,you

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qualifyfordisabilityretirement,yourdisabilityannuitywillbecomputedaccordingtotherulesoutlinedinSectionI.DisabilityAnnuity

Computation.

VI. Future Annuity Rights if Your

Annuity Stops and You Are NotReemployed in the FederalGovernment

Future Annuity RightsIfyourdisabilityannuityisstoppedbecauseyouhaverecoveredfromyourdisabilityonthebasisofmedicalevidenceoryouarerestoredtoearningcapacity,andyouarenotreemployedinapositionsubjecttoFederalretirementcoverage,youmayqualifyforanannuityasfollows:

Adeferredannuitythatbeginswhenyoureachage62,ifyoudonotqualifyforanyoftheannuitiesdescribedbelowandyouhave

completedatleast5yearsofcivilianserviceatthetimeofdisabilityretirement.

Yourannuitywillbecomputedusingthegeneralformulabasedonyouraveragesalaryandactualserviceatthetimeofyourseparationfordisabilityretirement.Thisformulais1%ofyourhigh3averagesalarymultipliedbyyourtotalservice.

Adiscontinuedserviceannuitythatbeginswhenyourdisabilityannuitystops,ifyouarethenatleastage50andhad20ormoreyearsofservicewhenyouretiredfordisability,or

Adiscontinuedserviceannuitythatbeginswhenyourdisabilityannuitystops,ifyouhad

25ormoreyearsofservicewhenyouretiredfordisability,regardlessofyourage.

Yourannuitywillbecomputedusingthegen-eralformulabasedonyouraveragesalaryand

actualserviceatthetimeofyourseparationfor

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disabilityretirement.Thisformulais1%ofyourhigh3averagesalarymultipliedbyyourtotalservice.

AnannuityundertheMinimumRetirementAge(MRA)+10provision.Ifyouareatleasttheminimumretirementageapplicableunderthisprovision(seechartbelow)whenthedisabilityannuityceasesandhadcompleted10ormoreyearsofservicewhenyouretiredondisability,youwillbeentitledtoanannuity.Ifyouhavenotyetreachedtheminimumretirementage,butcompleted10ormoreyearsofserviceatthetimeofdisabilityretirement,youwillbe

entitledtoanannuitybeginningthefirstofthemonthfollowingthemonthinwhichyoureachtheminimumretirementage.

Minimum Retirement Age

If you were born... Your MRA is...

Before1948 55

In1948 55and2months

In1949 55and4months

In1950 55and6months

In1951 55and8months

In1952 55and10months

In19531964 56

In1965 56and2months

In1966 56and4months

In1967 56and6months

In1968 56and8months

In1969 56and10months

In1970andAfter 57

Yourannuitywillbecomputedusingthegeneralformulabasedonyouraveragesalaryandactualserviceatthetimeofyourseparationfordisabilityretirement.Thisformulais1percentofyourhigh3

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averagesalaryperyearmultipliedbyyourtotalservice.Thisbenefitissubjecttoanagereductionifyouareunderage62.Thebenefitwillbe

reducedby5/12of1percentforeachfullmonth(5percentperyear)bywhichyourbenefitcommencingdateprecedesyour62ndbirthday.Youcanpostponethebeginningdateofyourbenefittolessenoreliminatetheagereduction.

Reinstatement of Federal EmployeesRetirement System (FERS) DisabilityAnnuity

Yourdisabilityannuitycanbereinstatedifyouare

notreceivingaretirementannuityunderanyotherFERSprovisionandoneofthefollowingsituationsapplies:

Loss of Earning Capacity:Ifyourannuitystoppedbecauseyouwerefoundrestoredtoearningcapacity,itmaybereinstatedeffectivethefirstoftheyearfollowinganycalendaryearinwhichyourearningcapacityfallsbelow80percentofthecurrentrateofthepositionheldatretirement,provided:

YouarenotreemployedintheFederalserviceinanypositionundertheFederalEmployeesRetirementSystem,and

Youarenotmedicallyrecoveredfromthedisabilityfromwhichyouretired.

Recurrence of Disability:Ifyourannuitystoppedbecauseyouwerefoundrecoveredfromyourdisabilityonthebasisofmedicalevidence(notequivalentemployment),itmaybereinstatedasofthedateofcurrentmedicaldocumentationshowingthatthedisabilityforwhichyouretiredhasrecurred,andthatyourconditionhasworsenedsinceyouwerefoundrecovered,provided:

YouarenotreemployedintheFederalserviceinanypositionundertheFederalEmployeesRetirementSystem,and

Yourearningsdonotmeet/exceedthe80percentlimit.

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Amount of Reinstated Benefit:Ifyourannuityisreinstated,yourdisabilityannuitywillbecomputedaccordingtotherules

outlinedinSectionI.DisabilityAnnuityComputa-tion.

Health Benefits and Life InsuranceCoverage

If Your Disability Benefit is Reinstated:Tobeeligibletoreenrollforhealthbenefitscover-age,youmusthavebeencoveredbyahealthbenefitsplanimmediatelybeforeyourannuityterminated.Youmayenrollinanyhealthbenefits

planforwhichyouareeligible;youarenotrestrictedtotheplanyouhadwhenyourannuityterminated.Tobeeligibletoreenrollforlifeinsurancecoverage,youmusthavebeencoveredimmediatelybeforeyourannuityterminated.Onlycoverageofthetypeanduptotheamountin

effectatthattimecanbereinstated.Youcannotelectlifeinsurancecoveragegreaterthancoveragepreviouslyineffect.Informationconcerningyoureligibilitytoreenrollwouldbesenttoyouatthetimeyourdisabilityannuityisreinstated.

If There is a Break in the Annuity Prior to YourEntitlement to a Deferred Annuity:Youwillnotbeeligibletocontinueyourhealthbenefitsorlifeinsurancecoverage,unlessyouarereemployedinapositionthatallowscoverageasa

Federalemployee.Ifyourenotreemployedinsuchaposition,youcanconvertyourhealthbenefitscoverage(butnotyourlifeinsurance)toanongroupcontractofferedbyyourcarrier.

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VII. Additional Information

Cancelling Disability BenefitYourdisabilityretirementbenefitcanbecancelledonlyifyouarerecoveredfromyourdisablingcondition,areemployedinapositionequivalenttotheoneheldatretirement,orbecomecapableof

earningincomefairlycomparabletothecurrentpayofthepositionfromwhichyouretired.However,youdohavetherighttodeclinetoacceptalloranypartofyourannuitybysendingasignedwaivertotheOfficeofPersonnelManage-ment(OPM).Annuitypaymentswillnotbemadetoyouduringtheperiodyourwaiverisineffect.YoumayrevokeyourwaiveratanytimeinthefuturebyagainwritingtoOPMbutyouwillnotbeabletorecovertheannuityamountspreviouslywaived.

Federal Income Tax

UnderrulesoftheInternalRevenueService,yourFederalEmployeesRetirementSystem(FERS)disabilityannuityissubjecttoFederalIncomeTax.

ForcompleteinformationaboutFederalTaxandyourannuity,youshouldrequestPublication721,ComprehensiveGuidetoU.S.CivilServiceRetire-mentBenefits,fromyourlocalInternalRevenueServiceoffice.TheinformationcontainedinthispublicationappliestoannuitiesunderbothFERS

andtheCivilServiceRetirementSystem(CSRS).

Contacting OPM

Toexpediteourservicetoyou,pleasegiveusyourclaimnumberwheneveryoucontactus.Youcan

reachusbytelephoneat18887676738.Duringourregularbusinesshours(MondaythroughFridaybetweenthehoursof7:30amand7:45pmEasternStandardTime),youmayspeaktooneofourCustomerServiceSpecialistswhowillhelpyouwithyourinquiry/request.

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Changes in Your Mailing Address

BesuretokeeptheOfficeofPersonnelManage-ment(OPM)advisedofanychangeinyourmailingaddress,evenifyourchecksaredepositeddirectlyintoyourbankaccount.Ifwedonthaveacurrentmailingaddress,youmaynotreceivetheannualincomesurveysenttoallFederalEmployees

RetirementSystem(FERS)disabilityannuitantsunderage60,alongwithotherimportantnotices.Ifyoumoveorchangeyourmailingaddress,youcaneithertelephoneus,useourServicesOnlinefeaturefoundonourwebsite,www.servicesonline.opm.gov,orwriteustoreportyournewaddress.Ifyouwanttochangeyouraddressbytelephone,call18887676738.Changingyouraddressbyphoneoronlineisusuallyquicker.Ifyouprefertonotifyusinwriting,pleasewritetousat:

U.S. Office of Personnel ManagementAttn: Change of AddressPost Office Box 45Boyers, PA 16017-0045

anduseoneofthemethodsbelow:

Usethechangeofaddressformwesenttoyou,or

UsetheformonthebackoftheenvelopesinwhichtheTreasuryDepartmentmailsyourmonthlyannuitychecks(ifyoureceiveyourpaymentbycheck),or

Useapostcardorletter.Onit,print thefollowinginformation:

Yourname Yourclaimnumber Youroldaddress(BesuretoincludetheZIP

codeandmarkthisoldaddress)

Yournewaddress(BesuretoincludetheZIPcodeandmarkthisnewaddress)

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Whetheryouuseaform,card,orletterbesuretosignit.

Making Changes On-LineYoucanalsomakecertainchangesusingtheServicesOnlinefeaturefoundonourwebsite,www.servicesonline.opm.gov.Youcan:

Start,change,orstopFederalandStateincometaxwithholdings;

Buy,change,orstopsavingsbonds; Requestaduplicatetaxfilingstatement

(1099R); ChangeyourPersonalIdentificationNumber

(PIN)foraccessingourautomatedsystems; Establish,change,orstopanallotmenttoan

organization; Changeyourmailing address; Startdirectdepositofyourpaymentorchange

theaccountorfinancialinstitutiontowhichyourpaymentissent; Establish,change,orstopacheckingorsavings

allotment;or Viewastatementdescribingyourannuity

payment.

Ifyoumakeanychangesusingtheservicesonlinefeatureonourwebsite,youwillneedyourclaimnumber(CSAnumber)andyourPersonalIdentifi-

cationNumber(PIN),whichOPMassignedtoyou.

19
http://www.servicesonline.opm.gov/http://www.servicesonline.opm.gov/


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Other Pamphlets of Interest

Thepamphletslistedbelowexplainindetailour

otherprograms.Ifyouwouldlikeacopyofanypamphlet,youmaycalltheOfficeofPersonnelManagementat18887676738(TTY:18008785707),orwritetousat:

U.S. Office of Personnel Management

Federal Employees Retirement SystemRetirement Operations CenterBoyers, PA 16017-0045

TitleForm

Number

InformationforRetireesandSurvivorAnnuitantsAboutthe

FederalEmployeesHealthBenefitsProgram

RI792

InformationAbouttheFederalEmployeesGroupLifeInsuranceProgram

RI7612

InformationforFederalEmployeesRetirementSystem(FERS)

Annuitants

RI908

LifeEventsandYourRetirementandInsuranceBenefits

RI38126

Publicationsarealsoavailableonourwebsiteatwww.opm.gov.

20
http://www.opm.gov/http://www.opm.gov/


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Notes

21


25/27

Notes

22


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Notes

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United States Office

of

Personnel Management

1900 E Street, NW

Washington, DC 20415

www.opm.gov/retire

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fers disability annuity

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