Federal Employee Benefits Articles
OWCP
Federal Worker’s Compensation
FERS
Federal Disability Retirement
VAD
VA Disability
General
Federal Employee
News
Does the Government Penalize You for Retiring Early?
The government could penalize you for retiring early depending on which retirement option you choose. If you choose an MRA +10 retirement, your pension will be reduced for each year that you are under age 62. However, if you are looking to retire early due to a disability, Federal Disability Retirement is a much better option.
When Can I Retire from the Federal Government?
If you have been working in the federal government for a while you may be asking yourself, when can I retire? You’ve got a few options for an immediate retirement and an early retirement from the federal government. You’ll need to know your MRA or Minimum Retirement Age in order to decide which retirement option is best for you.
Working While Totally Disabled: What You Need to Know
Working while totally disabled is possible, but you will have to stick to a strict earning limit set by the Social Security Administration. This limit is called substantial gainful activity and it changes every year. If you are approved for SSDI, you may also qualify for Federal Disability Retirement, which can provide you with even more money in retirement.
CBP: Applying for Federal Disability Retirement
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) employees can benefit greatly from Federal Disability Retirement. CBP employees are at a greater risk for injury or illness due to the hazardous and stressful nature of the job. CBP employees can apply for Federal Disability Retirement, retire early, receive a monthly annuity, AND additional creditable years of service for their retirement pension.
Using Leave Can Support Your Disability Retirement
Utilizing your sick and annual leave can help support your federal disability retirement application by showing an attendance deficiency. If you have run out of sick and annual leave, you may be able to use FMLA, LWOP, reasonable accommodations, or disability benefits. Federal Disability Retirement is an option if you can no longer fully perform your job.
Locality Pay Could Change Your Retirement
Raises and salary increases are something that catches every employee's eye and federal employees in particular have a lot of benefits available to them throughout their service. One of those benefits is Locality Pay, which provides an increase to your salary based on...
The Bruner Presumption: What Federal Employees Need to Know
The Bruner Presumption is enacted if you are separated from your federal agency for a medical inability to perform your job. If you are applying for Federal Disability Retirement, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) will have to prove that you are NOT disabled. The Bruner Presumption switches the burden of proof from you to the OPM.
What to Expect: Processing Time for Federal Disability Retirement Applications
Update (7/16/25): Right now, the wait time between receiving your CSA letter and getting your initial decision is about 2-6 months, though each case is different and this timeframe can vary. If you're a federal employee considering retirement due to a disability,...
Maximizing Your Retirement with VA Disability Benefits
Many veterans are injured during their service and find it difficult or impossible to work with the injuries they sustained while on duty. Veterans risked their lives for our country and VA Disability is an option for them to get the compensation they deserve for...
Veterans’ Health Administration: Navigating Federal Disability Retirement
Applying for Federal Disability Retirement from the Veterans’ Health Administration (VHA) can be a difficult process. This article will provide an overview of the process and offer some tips on how to improve your chances of success. Veterans' Health Administration...
Applying for SSDI as a Federal Employee
If you are a disabled federal employee, you may be wondering how to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance. SSDI is a government program that provides benefits to employees who are unable to work because of a disability. You will also need to apply for Social...
Applying for Federal Disability Retirement After Separation
If you are separated from federal service, there are a few things you need to know about applying for Federal Disability Retirement. The process is a little different, and there are strict deadlines that must be followed. In this article, we will walk you through...
Federal Employee Resources
Our ever growing library of federal employee resources give you the knowledge you need to make smart choices about your future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get the answers you need on-demand, from a team of federal employee benefits professionals.
Federal Benefit Webinars
Twice per month we host webinars to help federal employees better understand their benefits and answer their questions LIVE.
Benefit Guides
From guides to detailed charts, these educational resources will help clarify confusing federal employee benefits topics.