Webinar | What is my Federal Disability Retirement Worth?

In this webinar, we will look over your retirement options as a federal employee and how Federal Disability Retirement might be the right option depending on your situation. If Federal Disability Retirement is an option for you, it’s critical to understand the long-term value of the benefit and how to estimate the overall worth of your annuity. Here’s an outline of what we’ll be covering:

[@dontjustbeanotherbrickinthewal]

God Bless you when you work federal they keep you in the dark, you explained this so we'll!

[@DisabilityRetirement]

We appreciate the kind words!

[@mustafaosman48]

Thank you for the presentation

[@DisabilityRetirement]

Thanks for watching!

[@shaqundawalker6223]

Excellent information and very easy to understand. Thanks for explaining

[@DisabilityRetirement]

Shaqunda Walker Thanks for watching! Feel free to share this video. 😁

[@heavensgirl7412]

Good video, Very informative, I may have to take this option, Thank you!

[@DisabilityRetirement]

Thanks! It really is a great benefit for federal employees. Call us if you interested in getting a free consultation. 877-226-2723

[@share9821]

Is this gross taxed?

[@DisabilityRetirement]

@@share9821 Thanks for the question! Yes, the gross annuity amount is taxed at a regular income tax rate, but not as "earned income". This is important, because earned income tax is higher. Let us know if you have any other questions!

[@Courtneyryanbuck]

Fantastic briefing, I've never heard it explained so simply. How does receiving FERS disability effect VA benefits? I was injured overseas. Thank you.

[@DisabilityRetirement]

Courtney, thanks for the feedback! Great question! VAD benefits do not interact with the Federal Disability Retirement annuity. If you have questions about your specific situation, give our office a call and we’ll set you up with a free consultation. Thanks!

[@cararadford11]

The form asks about your compensation-why do they ask that?

[@Tkh21209]

In having same issues where my prior service connected injuries have gotten worse

[@frankiedejesus6684]

I was approved and OPM is paying me 1% of 14 yrs and 4 months of service. I thought it was 60% then 40% of high three. I requested a answer from then still waiting.

[@DisabilityRetirement]

A regular FERS retirement is calculated at 1% of your high 3 average for every year of service. FERS Disability Retirement is calculated at 60% then 40% of your high 3. If you have reached your retirement age, you are likely receiving your regular FERS retirement calculation. At this point, Federal Disability Retirement may not be beneficial as your regular retirement should provide you with a secure income.

[@rid218]

Great information

[@DisabilityRetirement]

Thank you so much, glad it was helpful!

[@Victoriaearth143]

What if I've only been in the government for 6 years? I have Epilepsy

[@DisabilityRetirement]

To be eligible for Federal Disability Retirement you only need 18 months of creditable service, which it sounds like you already have! Epilepsy could potentially qualify you for Federal Disability Retirement, give our office a call at 877-226-2723 to see how we can help you!

[@joegar2013]

Thank you for your webinar. If approved a federal disability retirement, I plan to move to a state that is not paying federal taxes. Do I still have to pay federal taxes on the disability?

[@DisabilityRetirement]

Hi Joe, Thanks for watching! While you can move to a state with no taxes on retirement income (1099-R), federal taxes would still be taken out of your disability retirement annuity. We hope that helps! Thanks for the question!

[@autumn7721]

Can you continue carrying health insurance benefits for you and your spouse? After you reach the ages of 62? Thank you

[@DisabilityRetirement]

Great Question! Yes, you can initially carry over the insurance coverage you had while during your employment. After that you can make changes to your plan during the typical open enrollment periods. We hope that helps!

[@coreyelder8006]

Is the 80% earned in the private sector based off of high 3 or last year- I thought I read elsewhere it was the last year- or single high year. Also, is the same amount stagnant over the 10years or are do the colas impact there figures. Ie, if someone made 100k when they received the disability retirement, would they still be limited to 80k after 10 years?

[@DisabilityRetirement]

Corey, this is a great question and one that comes up often! The 80% private sector income cap is based off of your old positions current salary. So, the 80% cap will increase as your old position receives raises and COLAs. We hope this makes it clearer for you!

[@jnlin8569]

So if you rent one home out is that considered passive income? But then if you rent out more than one home then you become self employed and therefore are subject to 80% cap?

[@DisabilityRetirement]

Hey Joshua, this is a great question. Renting multiple homes could still be considered passive income. It becomes considered "Earned Income" if you are managing the property (i.e. doing repairs, landscaping, etc.). We suggest speaking with your tax professional to determine how your specific income is categorized. Thanks!

[@abq5525]

Is rental income passive income? Like house/condo that I rent to someone? Thanks in advance.

[@DisabilityRetirement]

AB Q Yes, rental income would be considered passive income. Thanks for the question!

[@abq5525]

Harris Federal Employee Law Firm thank you 🙏

[@patcoral9377]

How much does your services cost?

[@DisabilityRetirement]

Patrick, it depends on the level of representation your case requires. Please, give our office a call and we'll set you up with a free consultation. 877-226-2723

[@shannongorman6516]

well 31 yrs dedicated working fed employee fight stage 4 cancer for almost 14 yrs. im 51 so im getting totally screwed out of retirement tsp etc. i m not going to get the xxn i paid into the system. I wont get my full tsp, i cant withdrawl on it. I will get a 60% and another 40% retirement reduction because i was dedicated and worked super hard but because ill die before 57, 59 and 62 yrs of age i get treated like a pauper. I get pauper pay so i wont be able to afford to live in decent residence or keep my nice vehicle. i am worth more dead then alive. I will die a pauper when i have busted my butt to live and survive and have a decent life. now that will go in the toilet once my body fails to the point i cant work and goto hospice. thanks fed gov.

[@DisabilityRetirement]

We're sorry to hear that you're in such a tough situation. We know the federal government can be frustrating at times. We wish you the best and urge you to contact our office at 877-226-2723 to see if there is any way that we can help.

[@dickyoung456]

Your number is different than my job sent to me, my print out said "If you are under age 62, Federal retirement law requires your disability benefits under FERS to be reduced by 100 percent of your social security benefit for any month in which you are entitled to social security disability benefits during the first 12 months of eligibility. After the first year, your disability annuity is equal to 40 percent of your high-3 average salary minus 60 percent of you social security benefit for any month in which you are entitled social security disability benefits. Therefore, it is also your responsibility to document that you have applied for social security disability benefits AFTER YOU SEPARATE FROM YOUR AGENCY. Your application cannot be completely processed without this information. If you are awarded social security disability benefits at any time after you have applied for or begin receiving disability benefits, you must still notify OPM of the effective date and the amount of the social security benefits. IMPORTANT: FERS disability benefits usually begin before the claim for social security benefits is fully process. Because the FERS disability benefit must be reduced by 100 percent of any social security benefit payable for the 12 months, social security checks should not be negotiated until the FERS benefit has been reduced. The social security checks will be need to pay OPM for the reduction which should have been made in the FERS annuity.

[@DisabilityRetirement]

Richard, thanks for watching and commenting! Numbers can vary depending on a person's specific situation, so we try to show these benefit concepts with generalized numbers. If you have specific questions, we would be happy to discuss those with you via a phone call. 877-226-2723