When postal workers suffer a permanent injury, or contract a disease in the line of duty, or have a preexisting condition worsened to the point where they can no longer work, they may become eligible for a form of early retirement known as federal retirement disability compensation. Also known as FERS disability, this program is overseen and managed by the Office of Personnel Management, and provides a monthly stipend for postal workers who can no longer work at their current or any other equivalent position.

There are a lot of misconceptions however about this program, with a lot of people likening it to retirement, as well as most individuals within federal service thinking that all one needs to do is fall sick or suffer an injury in order to qualify. These myths couldn’t be further from the truth, and a lot of injured postal workers also find themselves without information regarding how this program affects their retirement benefits in the future, and it is important to get some clarity before you file for disability retirement.

That said, it is vital that you seek out the services of an experienced Federal Disability Retirement lawyer before thinking of self-representation due to the nuanced nature of the program which may subject you to an arbitrary denial should you miss filing deadlines or produce a less than perfect medical report. We’re here to help you with this and so much more.

How We Can Help

Are you looking for a FERS disability retirement attorney for injured or sick postal workers? If you sustained a permanent injury, or got so sick to the point where it is virtually impossible for you to continue working for the federal government for at least a year, we can help you apply, obtain your FERS disability benefits. Our experienced federal workers’ disability attorneys bring to the table close to three decades of legal experience where we’ve helped thousands of individuals just like you, recovering millions in compensation via timely legal help and access to resources.

We serve all injured or unwell postal workers and other federal workers countrywide, and we run a bilingual office (hablamos Español). If you got injured, contracted an occupational disease, or your pre-existing condition was made worse by work duties or that make it impossible to perform your work duties, please give us a call at 312-444-0214 NOW for your 100% FREE legal consultation into all things federal workers’ compensation, federal disability retirement, and speak with one of our friendly and compassionate legal experts as to the true value of your claim.

How Does FERS Disability Compensation for Postal Employees Work?

FERS disability compensation helps injured and unwell federal employees take care of their medical and daily upkeep after suffering a permanent injury. In order to qualify, you are required to have worked for the federal government for at least 18 months. This compensation takes into account your highest three consecutive salaries, expressed as a percentage in order to determine how much you can become eligible for as far as FERS disability compensation benefits are concerned. 

Transitioning From FERS Disability to Retirement – What to Know

At a certain point however, injured or unwell federal workers may choose to transition to retirement. That said, it is important that you take into account some factors before you do so, as this ensures that you maintain a financial safety net.

For instance, disability benefits tend to be higher than retirement benefits due to their calculation based off the high three salaries. In addition, survivor benefits can be impacted by retirement, which can make things difficult for one’s beneficiaries on the financial front. Lastly, health insurance plans are bundled with disability retirement benefits, but may be terminated when one retires depending on paperwork completed, leaving you to look for your own health insurance plans.

Retirement Planning for Injured Federal Workers – Preparing for Your Future

Even as you receive FERS disability benefits, it is imperative that you think of your future by starting to plan for retirement. For starters, you want to seek out financial advisors conversant in federal employee benefits who will help you have a clear picture of FERS disability compensation and how it plays into your retirement.

These individuals can help you determine the right time to retire while taking into account your financial and physical health, come up with an estimate of future income taking stock of FERS, TSP and other sources of income or wealth, and assist you in identifying investment strategies in order to fatten up your nest egg before you are launched into your sunset years.

FERS Disability Compensation and Return to Work – Can I Go Back?

If you are physically, mentally, and emotionally choose to return to work in the private sector while receiving disability retirement, you can do this and still receive your disability retirement. 

Or, if your condition takes a turn for the better, you may also consider returning to work. Please note that doing so however will impact your retirement planning as well as result in the termination of your FERS disability compensation benefits. However, returning to work may have merits such as an increase in your income, social engagement which may be good for your mental health, and may add to your retirement credit, which may potentially increase future retirement benefits. 

Experienced FERS Disability Compensation Attorneys – Call Us NOW!

FERS disability compensation is a program which requires careful consideration when it comes to how it will affect your finances going forward, your retirement, as well as the futures of your loved ones.

Because of this, you want to make sure that all your ‘I’s are dotted and ‘t’s are crossed, and the only way to do this is to retain the services of an experienced FERS disability compensation attorney. Please reach out to us at 312-444-0214 for these and other federal workers’ compensation questions and concerns, and we’d be happy to help illuminate the way forward. Thanks for choosing us, and we look forward to serving you.