Working for the federal government as a USPS letter carrier comes with its challenges; however, all in all, it is a comfortable job with great benefits for those that are not afraid of the long walks and the driving and lugging packages up inclines and stairs. However, after decades of doing this job, it is only natural that your body starts showing signs of wear and tear, particularly the knees or your back that spasms after only an hour on your route. After a few months of the pain and limited mobility, you finally decide to file a FERS disability retirement claim and wait to hear from OPM.

However, after waiting a couple of months and receiving not a peep from the agency, you wonder if you made the right decision. In an instant, you consider rescinding your application and tough it out until age 62 which is the retirement age. However, this may be the worse decision you are yet to make because of reasons we’ll take a look shortly. That said, it is important to understand that you are eligible for the program before getting to 62, and easing into it by consulting our FERS disability retirement lawyers and not going it alone is the way to go. By working with us, you can receive hundreds of thousands of dollars over the course of your retirement, ensuring that your sunset years are spent comfortably after decades of service to the USPS.

Our Attorneys Are Ready to Help You!

Are you looking for a federal disability retirement attorney? Please call us NOW at (314) 481-63338 to learn more about your legal options. The experienced FERS Disability attorneys at McCready Law focus exclusively on representing injured and ill federal employees, with deep expertise in the complex interactions between disability retirement and regular retirement benefits. Our attorneys handle claims nationwide, and we have unparalleled experience navigating OPM’s procedural maze to ensure that your disability application is strategically timed and positioned to maximize your lifetime income.

At McCready Law, we understand the financial terror of waiting for a disability decision while your health deteriorates and your savings dwindle. We offer flexible fee arrangements that we can discuss. Our fees are reviewed by OPM prior to our commencing your representation to ensure they are fair and reasonable, leaving you with the resources needed to focus on your health. If you are a USPS worker approaching age 62 with a disability retirement application pending, please give us a call TODAY at (314) 481-63338 for a 100% FREE legal consultation with one of our federal disability attorneys—our intake team is standing by.

How to Increase Your FERS Disability Benefits Payout Amount Strategically

FERS disability retirement system exists to provide financial relief for individuals who are unable to work before they reach the official retirement age, which is 62. However, unlike private disability plans that cease paying out after a set age, FERS disability retirement melds into regular retirement plan and it’s therefore vital that you understand this transition in order to maximize your lifetime benefits.

Once you reach age 62, your disability annuity is recalculated by OPM by acting as if you had continued working until age 62 and then retired. If you have worked for the USPS as a last mile letter carrier for a much longer amount of time, your disability annuity may be higher than the regular annuity.

This higher payout at the age 62 crossover is dependent on a number of factors such as:

1. Service Credit Calculation: If you’re nearing a milestone with regard to your service to USPS such as your 10th or 20th year, you may have your benefits increased since a multiplier will be applied as long as you’re willing to wait a couple of weeks or months to hit this milestone. However, if you’re chronically injured or ill, it is inadvisable to wait as you may in the end harm yourself healthwise just to reach this milestone
2. High-Three Average: Your retirement benefits are calculated as well as the disability annuity take into account your high-three average salary. However, the calculation may differ especially if you’ve worked light duty or reduced hours before disability, this figure may be much lower. However, you may want to apply before this high-three drops even further
3. Social Security Offset: Social Security disability benefits take into account your FERS disability retirement benefit payments and offsets the same, which can reduce your benefits. However, things take a turn once you reach age 62 as you become eligible for Social Security retirement benefits.

How We Help as The Country’s FERS Disability Compensation Attorneys

It is important to understand that taking a proactive stance is the best thing you can do if you’re looking to apply for FERS disability benefits. To this end, we shall help in the expediting of your application by documenting the financial consequences of them having you to wait and demand that they process your application as a matter of priority. In addition, we will work with OPM in overturning a denial via an appeal especially if you’re fast approaching your 62nd birthday. Last but not least, we ensure that we show via objective medical evidence that you became disabled before age 62 so that in case they approve the claim after this age, your benefits can be clawed back retroactively.

Nationwide FERS Disability Attorneys – Call Us Today!

If you are a USPS worker approaching age 62 with a disability retirement application pending—or if you are considering filing for disability and are close to retirement age—do not make assumptions about your benefits without professional guidance. The rules are complex, and the stakes are enormous. McCready Law has your back — simply give us a call NOW at (314) 481-63338 so we can speak with one of our experienced and attentive federal disability attorneys. Remember, the call is 100% FREE, and there is no obligation. Thank you for choosing McCready Law.