U.S.

Office of Personnel Management

Information
for
Disability
Annuitants
Federal Employees
Retirement System
(FERS)
U.S. Office of Personnel Management
Weprovideretirementinformationonthe
Internet.Youwillfindretirementbrochures,forms
andotherinformationat:
www.opm.gov/retire
Youmayalsocommunicatewithususingemailat:
retire@opm.gov
TableofContents
Page
I. DisabilityAnnuityComputation .................1
II. EntitlementtoOtherBenefits/
EffectonFederalEmployees
RetirementSystem(FERS)
DisabilityAnnuity....................................4
III. PeriodicMedicalReviews...........................7
IV. EarningsWhileReceiving
FederalEmployeesRetirement
System(FERS)Disability
RetirementBenefits.................................8
V. Reemploymentinthe
FederalService......................................11
VI. FutureAnnuityRightsifYour
AnnuityStopsandYouAreNot
ReemployedintheFederal
Government ..........................................13
VII. AdditionalInformation..............................17
Ifyouareanemployee,youshouldnotusethe
addressescontainedinthispamphlet.TheU.S.
OfficeofPersonnelManagement(OPM)doesnot
haveaccesstoyourpersonnelrecords.Instead,you
shoulddirectanyfurtherquestionsyoumayhave
tothepersonnelofficeofyouragency.
i
I. DisabilityAnnuityComputation
Computation of Federal Employees
Retirement System (FERS) Disability
Annuity
FERSdisabilitybenefitsarecomputedindifferent
waysdependingontheannuitantsageand
amountofserviceatretirement.Inaddition,FERS
disabilityretirementbenefitsarerecomputedafter
thefirst12monthsandagainatage62,ifthe
annuitantisunderage62atthetimeofdisability
retirement.
Ifatdisabilityretirementyouarealready62years
old,oryoumeettheageandservicerequirements
forimmediatevoluntaryretirement,youwill
receiveyourearnedannuitybasedonthe
generalFERSannuitycomputation:
1%ofyourhigh-3averagesalary
Multiplied by
youryearsandmonthsofservice
However,ifyouareatleast62yearsoldandhave
completedatleast20yearsofservice,yourannuity
willbecomputedasfollows:
1.1%ofyourhigh-3averagesalary
Multiplied by
youryearsandmonthsofservice
Ifatdisabilityretirementyouareunderage62
andnoteligibleforvoluntaryretirement,youwill
receivethefollowingbenefit:
a. Forthefirst12months
60%ofyourhigh-3averagesalaryminus100%
ofyourSocialSecuritybenefitforanymonthin
whichyouareentitledtoSocialSecurity
disabilitybenefits.
b. Afterthefirst12months
40%ofyourhigh-3averagesalaryminus60%of
yourSocialSecuritybenefitforanymonthin
whichyouareentitledtoSocialSecurity
disabilitybenefits.
1
However,youareentitledtoyourearned
annuity(1percentofyourhigh-3averagesalary
multipliedbyyouryearsandmonthsofservice),
ifitislargerthanyourdisabilityannuitycomputed
understepsa.orb.above.
c. Whenyoureachage62
Yourannuitywillberecomputedusingan
amountthatessentiallyrepresentstheannuity
youwouldhavereceivedifyouhadcontinued
workinguntilthedaybeforeyour62ndbirth-
dayandthenretiredundertheFederal
EmployeesRetirementSystem(FERS)non-
disabilityprovisions.Thetotalserviceusedin
thecomputationwillbeincreasedbythe
amountoftimeyouhavereceivedadisability
annuity,andyouraveragesalarywillbe
increasedbyallFERScost-of-livingincreases
paidduringthetimeyoureceivedadisability
annuity.TheFERSbasicannuityformula
(1percentofyourhigh-3averagesalarymult-
ipliedbyyourtotalyearsandmonthsofservice)
isthenapplied,usingtheadjustedtimebase
andaveragesalary.Ifyouractualserviceplus
thecreditfortimeasadisabilityannuitant
equals20ormoreyears,theformulawouldbe
1.1percent ofyourhigh-3averagesalary
multipliedbythetotalofyouryearsandmonths
ofserviceplustheyearsandmonthsspentasan
annuitant.
Yourbasicannualannuitywillbereducedto
providesurvivorannuitybenefitsifyouare
married(unlessyouandyourspousejointly
waivethesurvivorbenefit)orifyouare
requiredbyaqualifyingcourtordertoprovide
benefitsforaformerspouse.
Computation of High-3 Average
Salary
Yourhigh-3averagesalaryisfiguredbyaveraging
yourhighestbasicpayoveranythreeyearsofcon-
secutiveservice.Thesethreeyearsareusuallyyour
finalthreeyearsofservice,butcanbeanearlier
period,ifyourbasicpaywashigherduringthat
period.Yourbasicpayisthebasicsalaryyouearn
foryourposition.Itincludesincreasestoyoursal-
aryforwhichretirementdeductionsarewithheld,
2
suchasforshiftrates,nightshiftdifferential,etc.
Itdoesnotincludepaymentsforovertime,
bonuses,etc.(Ifyourtotalservicewaslessthan3
years,youraveragesalaryisfiguredbyaveraging
yourbasicpayduringallofyourperiodsofcredit-
ableFederalservice.)
Computation of Survivor Benefits for
Current/Former Spouse
If you die before reaching age 62:
Ifyouelectedtoprovideafullsurvivorbenefit,
yoursurvivorwillreceiveanannuityequalto50
percentofyourunreducedannuitycomputed
usingtheearnedannuityformula(1percentof
yourhigh-3averagesalarymultipliedbyyouryears
andmonthsofFederalservice).However,your
averagesalarywillbeincreasedbyallcost-of-living
adjustmentsthatyoureceivedwhileyouwereon
the annuityrollandyourFederalservicewillbe
increasedbytheyearsandmonthsthatyouwere
ontheannuityroll,plustheyearsandmonths
betweenthedateofyourdeathandthedateof
your62ndbirthday.Ifyouelectedtoprovidea
partialsurvivorbenefit,yoursurvivorwillreceive
25percentofthisamount.
If you die after reaching age 62:
Ifyouelectedtoprovideafullsurvivorbenefit,
yoursurvivorwillreceiveanannuityequalto50
percentoftheunreducedamountthatwouldhave
beenpayabletoyouonthedaybeforethedateof
yourdeath.Ifyouelectedtoprovideapartial
survivorbenefit,yoursurvivorwillreceivean
annuityequalto25percentofthisamount.
Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs)
Ifyouareunderage62,andyourannuitywas
computedusing60percentofyourhigh-3average
salary,COLAsarenotpayableforthefirst12
months.COLAswhichoccurafterthis12-month
periodarepayable.Ifyouareage62atretirement
orifyoumeettheageandservicerequirementsfor
animmediateFederalEmployeesRetirement
System(FERS)annuity,allCOLAsoccurringafter
thecommencingdateofannuityarepayable.
3
II. EntitlementtoOtherBenefits/
EffectonFederalEmployees
RetirementSystem(FERS)
DisabilityAnnuity
Social Security Benefits
Entitled to Benefits From the Social Security
Administration:
Ifyouareunderage62andyourannuitybenefits
werecomputedusingeither60percentor40
percentofyourhigh-3averagesalary,theOfficeof
PersonnelManagement(OPM)willreduceyour
monthlyannuitybyalloraportionofyourSocial
Securitybenefits.Whileyouarereceivinganannu-
itycomputedusingthe60percentcomputation,
OPMmustreduceyourmonthlyannuityby100
percentofanySocialSecuritydisabilitybenefitto
whichyouareentitled.Whileyouarereceivingan
annuitycomputedusingthe40percentcomputa-
tion,yourmonthlyannuitywillbereducedby60
percentofanySocialSecuritydisabilitybenefitto
whichyouareentitled.Thisreductiononlyapplies
formonthsinwhichyouareconcurrentlyentitled
tobothFERSandSocialSecuritybenefits.
Notifying OPM of Receipt of Social Security
Benefits:
IftheSocialSecurityAdministrationawardsyou
monthlybenefits,youmustnotifyOPMofthe
amountofthemonthlySocialSecuritybenefitand
theeffectivedateofthepaymentimmediately
uponbecomingeligible.Itisyourresponsibilityto
minimizeanyperiodofoverpaymentbypromptly
notifyingOPM.YoushouldforwardtoOPMa
copyoftheawardnoticeorastatementfromthe
SocialSecurityAdministrationshowingthemonthly
amountandeffectivedateofyourSocialSecurity
benefit.Thisinformationshouldbeforwardedto:
U.S.OfficeofPersonnelManagement
FederalEmployeesRetirementSystem
Boyers,PA 16017-0001
4
FederalEmployeesRetirementSystem(FERS)
disabilitybenefitsusuallybeginbeforetheclaim
forSocialSecuritybenefitsisfullyprocessed.
BecausetheFERSdisabilitybenefitmustbe
reducedby100percentofanySocialSecurity
benefitpayableforthefirst12months,Social
Securitychecksshouldnotbenegotiateduntilthe
FERSbenefithasbeenreduced.TheSocialSecurity
checkswillbeneededtopaytheOfficeofPerson-
nelManagement(OPM)forthereductionwhich
shouldhavebeenmadeintheFERSannuity.
IfyouareeligibletoreceiveSocialSecuritydisabil-
itybenefitsbutdonotreceivethembecauseof
eligibilityforbenefitsfromtheOfficeofWorkers
CompensationPrograms(OWCP),youmuststill
notifyOPMofyoureligibilityandtheamountyou
wouldbeeligibletoreceiveifyouwerenot
receivingbenefitsfromOWCP.
Notifying OPM if You Lose Entitlement to
Social Security Benefits:
IfyouloseentitlementtoSocialSecuritydisability
benefitswhilereceivingaFERSdisabilitybenefit,
youwillneedtocontactOPM.Wewillverifyyour
lossofsocialsecurityeligibilityandrecalculateyour
benefitwithoutasocialsecurityreduction.
Compensation From the Office of
Workers Compensation Programs
(OWCP), U.S. Department of Labor
Entitled to a Total or Partial Disability
(Non-Scheduled Award) Award:
Ifyourworkerscompensationawardisbasedon
totalorpartialdisability(anon-scheduledaward),
youmaynotreceiveaFERSannuityduringthe
sameperiodyouareinreceiptofOWCPCompen-
sationbenefits.Ifyouarereceivingthistypeof
WorkersCompensation,youmustpromptlynotify
OPMofyourcompensationaward.Youshould
alsonotifyOPMofanychangeinthereasonfor
yourcompensationaward(forexample,your
benefitischangedfromascheduledtoa
non- scheduledaward).Youwillbeliableforany
overpaymentofannuitythatoccursduetodual
paymentofbenefitswhileyouarereceivinga
non-scheduledaward.
5
Itisyourresponsibilitytominimizeanyperiodof
overpaymentbypromptlynotifyingtheOfficeof
PersonnelManagement(OPM)at:
U.S.OfficeofPersonnelManagement
FederalEmployeesRetirementSystem
Boyers,PA 16017-0001
Entitled to a Scheduled Award:
Ifyoureceiveascheduledawardfromthe
OfficeofWorkersCompensationPrograms
(OWCP),youmayreceiveboththiscompensation
andanyFederalEmployeesRetirementSystem
(FERS)annuity.Ascheduledawardisusually
basedonadisabilityresultingfromthelossofa
functionormemberofthebody,suchasahearing
lossorthelossofanarm.Youdonotneedto
notifyOPMofthereceiptofascheduledaward.
However,youneedtonotifyOPMifthescheduled
awardisconvertedtoanon-scheduledawardin
thefuture.
Survivor Rights Under FERS If Your FERS
Annuity Is Suspended Because You
Are Receiving Compensation Benefits From
OWCP:
Ifyoursurvivorsarenoteligiblefordeathcompen-
sationbenefitsfromOWCPandyoudidnotgeta
refundoftheamountinyourFERSretirement
account,theymayreceiveFERSsurvivorannuity
benefits,providedtheyareotherwiseeligiblefor
thisbenefit.However,thelawprohibitsreceiptof
OWCPdeathcompensationandFERSsurvivor
annuitybenefitsatthesametime.Therefore,
ifyoursurvivorsareeligibleforbothcompensation
andFERSsurvivorannuitybenefits,theywillhave
toelectwhichofthetwobenefitstheywishto
receive.(Asurvivorselectiontoreceivedeath
compensationfromOWCPinlieuofthesurvivor
annuityterminatesthepersonsrighttoFERS
survivorannuitybenefits.)Ifyoureligiblesurvivors
areentitledtoOWCPbenefitsunderascheduled
awardorduetoathirdpartysettlement,theymay
receivesurvivorannuityandcompensationbenefits
coveringthesameperiodoftime.
6
III.PeriodicMedicalReviews
YourdisabilityannuitywillstopiftheOfficeof
PersonnelManagement(OPM)determinesthat
youarerecoveredfromyourdisablingcondition.
Periodic Review of Eligibility
Afteryoubeginreceivingdisabilityretirement,
OPMmayreviewyoureligibilityforcontinued
disabilitybenefitsatanytimeweconsiderit
necessary.
Procedures for Periodic Review:
If you are under age 60
OPMwillcontactyouandaskyoutoprovidea
currentreportfromyourphysicianortreatingmed-
icalfacilityconcerningthestatusofthemedical
conditiononwhichyourretirementisbased.
Youllalsobeaskedtoprovideinformationregard-
ingyourcurrentemploymentstatusandother
pertinentactivities.Ifyoudonotrespondtoour
requestforinformation,yourannuitymaybe
suspended.
If you are age 60 or older
OPMwillreviewyoureligibilityforcontinued
disabilitybenefitsonlyifyouspecificallyrequest
thatwefindyourecoveredfromthedisabilityand
youfurnishmedicalevidenceshowingyouhave
recoveredfromthedisabilityforwhichyouretired.
Ifwethenfindyourecovered,yourannuitywill
stop.
Cost of Medical Exam:
Youmustpayanyexpensesinvolvedinanswering
OPMsrequestformedicalevidencetosupport
yourcontinuedeligibilityfordisabilityretirement.
Termination of Annuity If You Are
Found Recovered
Yourannuitywillstopattheendof1yearfromthe
dateofthemedicalexaminationorreportshowing
yourrecovery,oryourannuitywillstopuponyour
reemploymentintheFederalGovernment,which-
everoccursfirst.
7
IV.EarningsWhileReceiving
FederalEmployeesRetirement
System(FERS)Disability
RetirementBenefits
Earning Income While Receiving
Disability Retirement
Ifyouareage60orolder,thereisnorestrictionon
theamountofincomeyoucanearnwhilereceiv-
ingdisabilityretirement.Ifyouareunderage60,
youcanearnincomefromworkwhilealsoreceiv-
ingdisabilityretirementbenefits;however,your
disabilityannuitywillstopiftheOfficeofPersonnel
Management(OPM)determinesthatyouareable
toearnanincomewhichisclosetowhatyour
earningswouldbeifyouhadcontinuedworking.
Theretirementlawhassetanearningslimitof80
percentinorderforyoutocontinueyourdisability
retirement.Youreachthe80percentearningslimit
(orarerestoredtoearningcapacity)if,inany
calendaryear,yourincomefromwagesandself-
employmentisatleast80percentofthecurrent
rateofbasicpayforthepositionfromwhichyou
retired.
How We Determine the Current Rate
of Pay For the Position From Which
You Retired
Thecurrentrateofpayforthepositionfromwhich
youretiredisthecurrentrateofbasicpayineffect
onDecember31oftheyearforwhichyouare
reportingyourincome.Basicpay,forthispurpose,
istheamountofpaythatissubjecttoFERS
retirementdeductions,includinglocalitypayfor
thelocationfromwhichyouretired,nightpayfor
wage-gradeemployees,andcertaintypesof
premiumpayforfirefightersandlawenforcement
officers.Itdoesnotincludebonuses,allowances,
overtimepay,holidayormilitarypay,ornightpay
forGeneralSchedule(GS)employees.Nordoesit
includeterritorialorforeign- postdifferentialpay,
exceptthosepositionswhereitwasspecifically
madeapartofthebasicsalary.ForGSemployees,
itisessentiallythecurrentpayrateforthegrade
andstepofthepositionfromwhichyouretired.
8
Forpostalemployeesitistherateofpaysubjectto
FederalEmployeesRetirementSystem(FERS)
retirementdeductions.
Definition of Earnings
Income Included in Definition of Earnings:
Allincomefromwagesandself-employmentthat
youactuallyreceived,plusdeferredincomewhich
youactuallyearned,inthecalendaryearisconsid-
eredearnings.Anymoneyreceivedbeforeyour
retirementisnotconsideredearnings.
Incomefromwagesincludesanysalaryreceived
whileworkingforsomeoneelse(including
overtime,vacationpay,etc.).Incomefrom
self-employmentisanynetprofityoumadefrom
workingormanagingyourownbusiness,whether
athomeorelsewhere.Netprofitistheamount
remainingafterdeductingbusinessexpensesand
beforethedeductionofanypersonalexpensesor
exemptionsallowedbytheInternalRevenue
Service.Deferredincomeisanyincomeyou
earned,butdidnotreceive,inthecalendaryear
forwhichyouareclaimingincomebelowthe80
percentearningslimitation.
IfyouarereemployedintheFederalserviceand
yoursalaryisreducedbythegrossamountofyour
annuity,thegrossamountofyoursalarybeforethe
reductionisconsideredearningsduringthecalen-
daryear.
Income Not Included In the Definition of
Earnings:
Gifts,pensions/annuities,SocialSecuritybenefits,
insuranceproceeds,unemploymentcompensation,
rents/royaltiesnotinvolvingorresultingfrom
personalservices,interest/dividendsnotresulting
fromyourowntradeorbusiness,moneywhich
youearnedbeforeretirement,inheritances,capital
gains,prizes/awards,fellowships/scholarshipsand
netbusinesslossesarenotconsideredearnings.
9
Annual Income Survey
Eachyear,theOfficeofPersonnelManagement
(OPM)sendsaquestionnairetodisabilityannu-
itantsunderage60todeterminetheirearningsfor
thepreviouscalendaryear.Thissurveyformis
calledtheAnnuitantsReportofIncome.
Normally,OPMmailstheformsinFebruary/March
eachyear.PleasenoteitisimportantthatOPMhas
yourcurrentmailingaddresstomailtheformto
you.
Termination of Annuity If You Reach
the 80% Earnings Limit
Yourdisabilityannuitypaymentswillbecontinued
for6monthsfromtheendofthecalendaryearin
whichyourincomeequaledorexceededthe80
percentearningslimitationandwillthenstop.
Forexample,ifyourincomein1999exceedsthe
80percentlimitation,yourannuitywillstopon
June30,2000.However,yourdisabilityannuity
willstopbeforethe6monthsexpiresifyou
becomereemployedintheFederalservicewithin
thatperiod.
Ifyourincomeforacalendaryearshowsthatyou
havereachedthe80percentearningslimit,wewill
writetoyoutotellyouthatyourannuitywillstop.
Wealsowillletyouknowwhetheryouareeligible
foranothertypeofannuity.
10
V. ReemploymentintheFederal
Service
Ifyourmedicalconditionimprovestoapoint
whereyouwanttogobacktoworkoriftheOffice
ofPersonnelManagement(OPM)terminatesyour
annuitybecauseyouhavemetthe80percent
earningslimitationoryouarerecovered,youcan
applyforreemployment.Youmaybereemployed
inanypositionforwhichyouarequalified.
Thelawdoesnotrequireyourformeragencyor
anyotherFederalagencytoautomaticallyofferyou
aposition.However,youmaybeeligiblefor
priorityplacementundertheInteragencyCareer
TransitionAssistancePlan(ICTAP).Toapplyunder
ICTAP,youshouldcontactyourformeragencyifit
stillexists,orthenearestOPMServiceCenterlisted
underUnitedStatesGovernmentinyourtele-
phonebook.Youmayapplyatanytimeafter
receivinganoticeofrecoveryorrestorationto
earningcapacity(reachingthe80percentearnings
limit)fromus,butnolaterthanoneyearafteryour
annuityends.
Continuing to Receive Your Disability
Annuity if You Are Reemployed in the
Federal Service
Ifyoureunderage60andreemployedina
positionequivalenttothepositionyouheldat
retirement,OPMwillfindyourecoveredfromyour
disabilityandwillstopyourannuitypayments
whenthisfindingismade.
Ifyouarereemployedinapositionthatisnot
equivalenttothepositionyouheldatretirement,
yourannuitywillcontinueandyoursalarywillbe
offsetbytheamountofyourannuityfortheperiod
ofreemployment.Youwillbesubjecttothe80
percentearningslimitexplainedinSectionIV.
Ifyoureunderage60andOPMterminatesyour
annuitybecauseyoureachedthe80percent
earningslimitoryouhavebeenfoundrecovered
fromyourdisability,yourpaymentswillstoponthe
dateyourereemployedintheFederalservice,
evenifyourereemployedinapositionthatisnot
equivalenttothepositionyouheldatretirement.
11
Ifyoureoverage60atthetimeofreemployment,
yourannuitypaymentswillcontinueandyoursal-
arywillbereducedbytheamountofyourannuity.
Thereisnolimitontheamountofearningsyou
mayreceive.Youwillnotbefoundrecoveredon
thebasisofyouremploymentunlessyouspecifi-
callyrequesttobefoundrecovered.
Note: If you retired under the special provision for
Military Reserve Technicians who do not meet the
regular medical requirements for disability retire-
ment, this section does not apply to you.
Your annuity will terminate on the date you are
appointed to any Federal position, or decline an
offer of appointment to a Federal position within
the commuting area of your former position and at
the same or equivalent grade.
Who to Notify if You Are Reemployed
in the Federal Government
Youmusttelltheagencyinwhichyouareseeking
reemploymentthatyouareaFederalEmployees
RetirementSystem(FERS)annuitant.Youmust
alsonotifytheOfficeofPersonnelManagement
(OPM)at:
U.S.OfficeofPersonnelManagement
RetirementOperationsCenter
Boyers,PA 16017.
Ifpossible,provideacopyofthepersonneldocu-
mentshowingyourappointmentorprovidethefull
nameandaddressofyouremployingagency.
Besuretogiveyourretirementclaimnumber(CSA
number).
Benefits Payable When Reemploy-
ment Ends
Whenyourreemploymentends,youhavethe
sameretirementrightsasanyotherFederal
employeewiththesameage,lengthofserviceand
kindofseparation.Thatis,youmayqualifyfor
annuitybenefitsonlyifyouapplyforretirement
andyouareotherwiseeligibleforanannuity.
Ifuponsubmissionofnewmedicalevidence,you
12
qualifyfordisabilityretirement,yourdisability
annuitywillbecomputedaccordingtotherules
outlinedinSectionI.DisabilityAnnuity
Computation.
VI.FutureAnnuityRightsifYour
AnnuityStopsandYouAreNot
ReemployedintheFederal
Government
Future Annuity Rights
Ifyourdisabilityannuityisstoppedbecauseyou
haverecoveredfromyourdisabilityonthebasisof
medicalevidenceoryouarerestoredtoearning
capacity,andyouarenotreemployedinaposition
subjecttoFederalretirementcoverage,youmay
qualifyforanannuityasfollows:
Adeferredannuitythatbeginswhenyoureach
age62,ifyoudonotqualifyforanyofthe
annuitiesdescribedbelowandyouhave
completedatleast5yearsofcivilianserviceat
thetimeofdisabilityretirement.
Yourannuitywillbecomputedusingthe
generalformulabasedonyouraveragesalary
andactualserviceatthetimeofyourseparation
fordisabilityretirement.Thisformulais1%of
yourhigh-3averagesalarymultipliedbyyour
totalservice.
Adiscontinuedserviceannuitythatbeginswhen
yourdisabilityannuitystops,ifyouarethenat
leastage50andhad20ormoreyearsofservice
whenyouretiredfordisability,or
Adiscontinuedserviceannuitythatbegins
whenyourdisabilityannuitystops,ifyouhad
25ormoreyearsofservicewhenyouretired
fordisability,regardlessofyourage.
Yourannuitywillbecomputedusingthegen-
eralformulabasedonyouraveragesalaryand
actualserviceatthetimeofyourseparationfor
13
disabilityretirement.Thisformulais1%ofyour
high-3averagesalarymultipliedbyyourtotal
service.
AnannuityundertheMinimumRetirementAge
(MRA)+10provision.Ifyouareatleastthe
minimumretirementageapplicableunderthis
provision(seechartbelow)whenthedisability
annuityceasesandhadcompleted10ormore
yearsofservicewhenyouretiredondisability,
youwillbeentitledtoanannuity.Ifyouhave
notyetreachedtheminimumretirementage,
butcompleted10ormoreyearsofserviceat
thetimeofdisabilityretirement,youwillbe
entitledtoanannuitybeginningthefirstofthe
monthfollowingthemonthinwhichyoureach
theminimumretirementage.
Minimum Retirement Age
If you were born... Your MRA is...
Before1948 55
In1948 55and2months
In1949 55and4months
In1950 55and6months
In1951 55and8months
In1952 55and10months
In1953-1964 56
In1965 56and2months
In1966 56and4months
In1967 56and6months
In1968 56and8months
In1969 56and10months
In1970andAfter 57
Yourannuitywillbecomputedusingthegeneral
formulabasedonyouraveragesalaryandactual
serviceatthetimeofyourseparationfordisability
retirement.Thisformulais1percentofyourhigh-3
14
averagesalaryperyearmultipliedbyyourtotal
service.Thisbenefitissubjecttoanagereduction
ifyouareunderage62.Thebenefitwillbe
reducedby5/12of1percentforeachfullmonth
(5percentperyear)bywhichyourbenefit
commencingdateprecedesyour62ndbirthday.
Youcanpostponethebeginningdateofyour
benefittolessenoreliminatetheagereduction.
Reinstatement of Federal Employees
Retirement System (FERS) Disability
Annuity
Yourdisabilityannuitycanbereinstatedifyouare
notreceivingaretirementannuityunderanyother
FERSprovisionandoneofthefollowingsituations
applies:
Loss of Earning Capacity:
Ifyourannuitystoppedbecauseyouwerefound
restoredtoearningcapacity,itmaybereinstated
effectivethefirstoftheyearfollowinganycalendar
yearinwhichyourearningcapacityfallsbelow80
percentofthecurrentrateofthepositionheldat
retirement,provided:
YouarenotreemployedintheFederalservice
inanypositionundertheFederalEmployees
RetirementSystem,and
Youarenotmedicallyrecoveredfromthe
disabilityfromwhichyouretired.
Recurrence of Disability:
Ifyourannuitystoppedbecauseyouwerefound
recoveredfromyourdisabilityonthebasisof
medicalevidence(notequivalentemployment),
itmaybereinstatedasofthedateofcurrent
medicaldocumentationshowingthatthedisability
forwhichyouretiredhasrecurred,andthatyour
conditionhasworsenedsinceyouwerefound
recovered,provided:
YouarenotreemployedintheFederalservice
inanypositionundertheFederalEmployees
RetirementSystem,and
Yourearningsdonotmeet/exceedthe80
percentlimit.
15
Amount of Reinstated Benefit:
Ifyourannuityisreinstated,yourdisability
annuitywillbecomputedaccordingtotherules
outlinedinSectionI.DisabilityAnnuityComputa-
tion.
Health Benefits and Life Insurance
Coverage
If Your Disability Benefit is Reinstated:
Tobeeligibletoreenrollforhealthbenefitscover-
age,youmusthavebeencoveredbyahealth
benefitsplanimmediatelybeforeyourannuity
terminated.Youmayenrollinanyhealthbenefits
planforwhichyouareeligible;youarenot
restrictedtotheplanyouhadwhenyourannuity
terminated.Tobeeligibletoreenrollforlife
insurancecoverage,youmusthavebeencovered
immediatelybeforeyourannuityterminated.
Onlycoverageofthetypeanduptotheamountin
effectatthattimecanbereinstated.Youcannot
electlifeinsurancecoveragegreaterthancoverage
previouslyineffect.Informationconcerningyour
eligibilitytoreenrollwouldbesenttoyouatthe
timeyourdisabilityannuityisreinstated.
If There is a Break in the Annuity Prior to Your
Entitlement to a Deferred Annuity:
Youwillnotbeeligibletocontinueyourhealth
benefitsorlifeinsurancecoverage,unlessyouare
reemployedinapositionthatallowscoverageasa
Federalemployee.Ifyourenotreemployedin
suchaposition,youcanconvertyourhealth
benefitscoverage(butnotyourlifeinsurance)toa
nongroupcontractofferedbyyourcarrier.
16
VII.AdditionalInformation
Cancelling Disability Benefit
Yourdisabilityretirementbenefitcanbecancelled
onlyifyouarerecoveredfromyourdisabling
condition,areemployedinapositionequivalentto
theoneheldatretirement,orbecomecapableof
earningincomefairlycomparabletothecurrent
payofthepositionfromwhichyouretired.
However,youdohavetherighttodeclineto
acceptalloranypartofyourannuitybysendinga
signedwaivertotheOfficeofPersonnelManage-
ment(OPM).Annuitypaymentswillnotbemade
toyouduringtheperiodyourwaiverisineffect.
Youmayrevokeyourwaiveratanytimeinthe
futurebyagainwritingtoOPMbutyouwillnotbe
abletorecovertheannuityamountspreviously
waived.
Federal Income Tax
UnderrulesoftheInternalRevenueService,your
FederalEmployeesRetirementSystem(FERS)
disabilityannuityissubjecttoFederalIncomeTax.
ForcompleteinformationaboutFederalTaxand
yourannuity,youshouldrequestPublication721,
ComprehensiveGuidetoU.S.CivilServiceRetire-
mentBenefits,fromyourlocalInternalRevenue
Serviceoffice.Theinformationcontainedinthis
publicationappliestoannuitiesunderbothFERS
andtheCivilServiceRetirementSystem(CSRS).
Contacting OPM
Toexpediteourservicetoyou,pleasegiveusyour
claimnumberwheneveryoucontactus.Youcan
reachusbytelephoneat1-888-767-6738.During
ourregularbusinesshours(MondaythroughFriday
betweenthehoursof7:30amand7:45pm
EasternStandardTime),youmayspeaktooneof
ourCustomerServiceSpecialistswhowillhelpyou
withyourinquiry/request.
17
Changes in Your Mailing Address
BesuretokeeptheOfficeofPersonnelManage-
ment(OPM)advisedofanychangeinyourmailing
address,evenifyourchecksaredepositeddirectly
intoyourbankaccount.Ifwedonthaveacurrent
mailingaddress,youmaynotreceivetheannual
incomesurveysenttoallFederalEmployees
RetirementSystem(FERS)disabilityannuitants
underage60,alongwithotherimportant
notices.Ifyoumoveorchangeyourmailing
address,youcaneithertelephoneus,useour
ServicesOnlinefeaturefoundonourwebsite,
www.servicesonline.opm.gov,orwriteustoreport
yournewaddress.Ifyouwanttochangeyour
addressbytelephone,call1-888-767-6738.
Changingyouraddressbyphoneoronlineis
usuallyquicker.Ifyouprefertonotifyusinwriting,
pleasewritetousat:
U.S.OfficeofPersonnelManagement
Attn:ChangeofAddress
PostOfficeBox45
Boyers,PA 16017-0045
anduseoneofthemethodsbelow:
Usethechange-of-addressformwesenttoyou,
or
Usetheformonthebackoftheenvelopesin
whichtheTreasuryDepartmentmailsyour
monthlyannuitychecks(ifyoureceiveyour
paymentbycheck),or
Useapostcardorletter.Onit,print the
followinginformation:
Yourname
Yourclaimnumber
Youroldaddress(BesuretoincludetheZIP
codeandmarkthisoldaddress)
Yournewaddress(BesuretoincludetheZIP
codeandmarkthisnewaddress)
18
Whetheryouuseaform,card,orletterbesureto
signit.
Making Changes On-Line
Youcanalsomakecertainchangesusingthe
ServicesOnlinefeaturefoundonourwebsite,
www.servicesonline.opm.gov.Youcan:
Start,change,orstopFederalandStateincome
taxwithholdings;
Buy,change,orstopsavingsbonds;
Requestaduplicatetax-filingstatement
(1099R);
ChangeyourPersonalIdentificationNumber
(PIN)foraccessingourautomatedsystems;
Establish,change,orstopanallotmenttoan
organization;
Changeyourmailing address;
Startdirectdepositofyourpaymentorchange
theaccountorfinancialinstitutiontowhich
yourpaymentissent;
Establish,change,orstopacheckingorsavings
allotment;or
Viewastatementdescribingyourannuity
payment.
Ifyoumakeanychangesusingtheservicesonline
featureonourwebsite,youwillneedyourclaim
number(CSAnumber)andyourPersonalIdentifi-
cationNumber(PIN),whichOPMassignedtoyou.
19
Other Pamphlets of Interest
Thepamphletslistedbelowexplainindetailour
otherprograms.Ifyouwouldlikeacopyofany
pamphlet,youmaycalltheOfficeofPersonnel
Managementat1-888-767-6738
(TTY:1-800-878-5707),orwritetousat:
U.S.OfficeofPersonnelManagement
FederalEmployeesRetirementSystem
RetirementOperationsCenter
Boyers,PA 16017-0045
Title
Form
Number
InformationforRetireesand
SurvivorAnnuitantsAboutthe
FederalEmployeesHealth
BenefitsProgram
RI79-2
InformationAbouttheFederal
EmployeesGroupLifeInsurance
Program
RI76-12
InformationforFederalEmployees
RetirementSystem(FERS)
Annuitants
RI90-8
LifeEventsandYourRetirement
andInsuranceBenefits
RI38-126
Publicationsarealsoavailableonourwebsiteat
www.opm.gov.
20
Notes
21
Notes
22
Notes
23
UnitedStatesOffice
of
PersonnelManagement
1900 E Street, NW
Washington, DC 20415
www.opm.gov/retire
RI 98-2
Revised May 2009
Previous editions are not usable
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