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:
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.
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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.
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Notes
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Notes
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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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