How is FERS (Federal Employees Retirement System) Related to Social Security Disability Benefits?

Submitted by Shane on

FERS is an acronym for the Federal Employees Retirement System. The system became an effective part of the benefits given to federal employees in 1987. There are three components of the FERS benefits program including the FERS basic benefit, the Social Security benefit and the thrift savings plan benefit. When an individual who has worked for the federal government becomes disabled and needs disability benefits to make ends meet, they often wonder how the FERS benefits are related to Social Security Disability benefits. The following information will help you understand how Social Security Disability benefits play a role in the FERS program.

Do You Meet the Requirements?

First, before you can even determine what (if any) affect FERS will have on your disability benefits you must be sure you are eligible for FERS benefits. Unless you have completed at least 18 months of federal civilian service, became disabled while you were employed and meet the SSDI disability requirements you will not be able to qualify for benefits under this program.

FERS and SSDI

It is important to note that once you begin receiving Social Security Disability benefits, your FERS disability annuity will be affected. During the first 12 months of your disability you will receive 60 percent of the amount of your 3-year-average high salary. Once you begin receiving disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA), the amount of your FERS disability payment will be reduced by the amount you receive from the SSDI. So, for example, if your 3-year-high average monthly salary was $4,000 per month your FERS payment would be $2,400 per month. If you receive $1,100 per month in SSDI payments, you would only receive $1,300 per month from the FERS program due to the amount you are collecting from the SSA. This would still total $2,400 per month. You would just be getting a portion of that $2,400 from FERS and a portion from SSDI.

After the first 12 months of your disability you will receive 40 percent of your 3-year-average high salary minus 60 percent of whatever you receive in SSDI benefits. So, if your 3-year-high average was $4,000 per month you would then begin receiving $1,600 per month for your FERS annuity. You would still be receiving $1,100 per month from SSDI, however, only 60 percent of that would be deducted from your FERS payment. As a result, your FERS payment would be $1,600 per month minus $660 (60 percent of $1,000) so your actual FERS payment would be $940 per month so you would be receiving a total of $1,940 per month ($940 from FERS and $1,000 from SSDI).

Many people think that they can either qualify for only Social Security Disability or FERS disability. That is not the case. You can receive both FERS and SSDI benefits, but the amount of SSDI you receive from the SSA will usually have an impact on how much your FERS annuity is.

Blog comments

ALLEN S (not verified)

CAN YOU JUST DRAW FERS

CAN YOU JUST DRAW FERS (DISABILITY) AND NOT DRAW SSDI (AFTER APPLYING AND TURNED DOWN). AND TRY TO WORK SOMEWHERE UNDER THE 80% OF PRIOR FED INCOME. ALSO 100%S/C FROM MILITARY.

Thu, 03/09/2017 - 15:04 Permalink
FERS with no S… (not verified)

I am FERS disability retired,

I am FERS disability retired, over 30 years well under 62 and denied for SSDI multiple times.

Q: Will FERS disability annuity decrease to 40% after 1 year or stay at 60%?

Q: Would only benefit from SSDI offset be reduction in taxable income since SSDI is deducted from FERS annuity?

Thanks

Sun, 03/26/2017 - 19:49 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by FERS with no S… (not verified)

Hello,

Hello,

Q1: After the first year, your disability annuity is equal to 40 percent of your high-3 average salary minus 60 percent of your social security benefit for any month in which you are entitled to social security disability benefits

Q2: Unfortunately, I am unable to answer this because I am not a tax expert. You may want to reach out to the SSA for that. 1-800-772-1213

Best Wishes,
Eric

Wed, 03/29/2017 - 09:28 Permalink
CNJ (not verified)

One part is a bit confusing..

One part is a bit confusing...to be eligible for the federal disability pension, one doesn't necessarily have to be eligible for the SSDI benefits also.

Applicants for the federal disability pension only need to place an application to SSDI and supply proof that they applied.

I know several people who are retired under the federal disability pension who didn't qualify for SSDI benefits...but they are still eligible for the federally disability pension.

Fri, 04/07/2017 - 15:22 Permalink
Tina (not verified)

I have been disabled and have

I have been disabled and have applied for SSDI and Wokers Comp and waiting on hearing for SSDI and Appellate Board for decision on Comp. I have received Fers Retirement. If I win the SSDI and workers comp back pay how will this work with my Fers retirement I just started to receive ?

Mon, 04/10/2017 - 09:04 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Tina (not verified)

Hi Tina,

Hi Tina,
Your FERS retirement amount may be reduced by the amount of SSDI benefits that you receive.

Tue, 04/11/2017 - 13:59 Permalink
YPagan (not verified)

In reply to by Bryan

My understanding the FERS

My understanding the FERS Annuity will only be reduced after approved for SSDI benefits only if you originally are receiving FERS Disability Annuity and not the regular FERS Annuity.

Sat, 05/13/2017 - 13:13 Permalink
Teresa (not verified)

After the first 12 months of

After the first 12 months of your disability you will receive 40 percent of your 3-year-average high salary minus 60 percent of whatever you receive in SSDI benefits. So, if your 3-year-high average was $4,000 per month you would then begin receiving $1,600 per month for your FERS annuity. You would still be receiving $1,100 per month from SSDI, however, only 60 percent of that would be deducted from your FERS payment. As a result, your FERS payment would be $1,600 per month minus $660 (60 percent of $1,000) so your actual FERS payment would be $940 per month so you would be receiving a total of $2,040 per month ($940 from FERS and $1,000 from SSDI)

Thank you for the information, however, trust validation would increase substantially if the math were correct. (940+1000 is only 1940... not 2040). Please correct all errors and repost.

Mon, 04/10/2017 - 13:31 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Teresa (not verified)

Hi Teresa,

Hi Teresa,
Thanks for letting us know! We've corrected the math error.

Tue, 04/11/2017 - 14:01 Permalink
Chrystal (not verified)

if a federal employee was

if a federal employee was removed for inability to perform due to medical condition and received SSDI before FERS disability was completed. How do you compute the total monthly payments of both SSDI & FERS. The monthly SSDI is $2k and FERS disability is $1338.

Tue, 04/11/2017 - 20:58 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Chrystal (not verified)

Hi Chrystal,

Hi Chrystal,
Your FERS benefit may be offset by the amount you receive from SSDI. You may want to contact the OPM regarding your benefit to determine how much you would receive with this offset.

Wed, 04/12/2017 - 09:33 Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

"As a result, your FERS

"As a result, your FERS payment would be $1,600 per month minus $660 (60 percent of $1,000) so your actual FERS payment would be $940 per month so you would be receiving a total of $1,940 per month ($940 from FERS and $1,000 from SSDI)awesome info." I am concerned that 60% of 1000 is 660... that doesn't work in my world. How is this math calculated? Also, there seems a shift from $1,100 to 1000 in the example.

Wed, 04/12/2017 - 16:26 Permalink
mary (not verified)

I have been on fers medical

I have been on fers medical retirement since 2010 from the VA after 14 yrs of service, on the job injury. I was turned down by ssdi, which i never minded at the time because I intended to return to work. After 2 subsequent surgeries i knew i could not. So i just reapplied for ssdi because of 2 reasons: first if you do not & you are not paying into the ssdi "pool" you may no longer qualify after 5 years of not working. My understanding is that once you no longer qualify for ssdi & you are not working your monthly amount begins to be "reduced". By the time I hit 62 yrs old I might have lost several hundred dollars a month in benefits. Secondly I am told my tax burden is reduced by drawing partial fers retirement partial ssdi vs just fers medical. For anyone who is just on fers, you understand you are paying a huge amount of taxes on that. Lastly I feel the ssdi/ fers combo is what I have paid in & i deserve to have that additional income each month since I can no longer work again. Anyone on here have any thing to add to this or clarify if I am on the right track? I am on my 3rd and hopefully final hearing to get my ssdi. If I am wrong....please let me know!

Thu, 04/27/2017 - 14:52 Permalink
Cc (not verified)

What if your Ss equals more

What if your Ss equals more than you receive from federal do you loose federal because I get health benefits deducted and Pay for spouse Ins just wondering if it's worth taking the Ss if I'm approved

Fri, 05/05/2017 - 20:30 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Cc (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
You may receive 40% of your three-year high salary from FERS and also 60% of what you would receive from SSDI.

Tue, 05/09/2017 - 12:56 Permalink
PaganY (not verified)

Hello, I retired at age 54

Hello, I retired at age 54 from an early out offer at regular retirement under FERS. I did not retire under FERS disability. I am now receiving FERS and the supplemental. Since then I applied for SSDI due to illness. I called the AO office mentioning about the potential approval of SSDI while receiving FERS and Supplement and they said that it should not affect my FERS annuity nor my Supplement because I originally did not retire under FERS Disability Annuity. Therefore, it is my understanding that it will not affect my FERS Annuity nor my Supplement because that is separate from SSDI. I will continue to receive the Supplement until 62 even if I get approved from SSDI.

Sat, 05/13/2017 - 13:09 Permalink
Wyatt (not verified)

Hello and thank you for

Hello and thank you for helping everyone here with their questions. I am distraught. I left Federal Service in November of 2015 and applied for Social Security as well as FERS Disability. Naturally, Social Security denied me and I had to get a lawyer. Here I am 18 months later and I just found out its going to be almost another year before I can get in front of a judge for my Social Security case. My question is -- is FERS on hold waiting for Social Security to come through? Can FERS pay benefits to me when OPM is ready and approves my case without Social Security being finalized? I'm really hurting mentally, physically, and financially. Thank you for any information you can share.

Sat, 05/27/2017 - 12:57 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Wyatt (not verified)

Hi Wyatt,

Hi Wyatt,

I would recommend speaking to a SSA representative regarding your case.

Best Wishes,
Eric

Thu, 06/01/2017 - 09:27 Permalink
Tom (not verified)

I have been on SSDI for the

I have been on SSDI for the last 2 years. I was recently approved by USPS for medical retirement after 7 years with the PO. I have paid off my 17 years of military buy back.since it sounds like my monthly USPS pay will be less than my SSDI can I decline the USPS retirement and ask for the return of my military buy back funds?

Tue, 06/13/2017 - 14:04 Permalink
Kathy (not verified)

What if Ssdi gives you 2 yrs

What if Ssdi gives you 2 yrs backpay? How can fers take the entire amount except the later fees

Sat, 06/17/2017 - 16:15 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Kathy (not verified)

Hi Kathy,

Hi Kathy,
The FERS offset may only be used when calculating monthly benefits.

Tue, 06/20/2017 - 09:27 Permalink
Attorney Fee a… (not verified)

I am a Federal employee and

I am a Federal employee and my disability application is pending with OPM.  I expect it to get approved.  I applied for social security disability benefits (abbreviating it as SSDI) and was denied.  I am considering hiring an attorney to appeal.  As I understand it, the attorney is paid only if I win and it's the lesser of 25% of my SSDI back pay or $6k.  I know that if I'm approved by OPM, I need to give them all of the back pay I get from SSDI.  If the attorney fee is deducted from my SSDI pack pay, am I only obligated to pay OPM the back pay amount that has the attorney fee deducted?  Or would I have to pay the back pay amount and add in the attorney fee?

Mon, 06/19/2017 - 13:28 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Attorney Fee a… (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
In this scenario, you may need to pay the OPM any back pay you may be required to pay them less your lawyer's fees.

Wed, 06/21/2017 - 14:25 Permalink
chazzi44 (not verified)

I took FERS Retirement at age

I took FERS Retirement at age 62 ($1605). Then I applied for Social Security Retirement a few months later and got approved ($1633). I have an adult disabled son who can draw on my SSecurity Retirement benefit. I receive $1605 for FERS Retirement. My FERS Retirement is not being offset and I guess this is because neither one is for disability?

Please confirm or explain if I am incorrect. Thank you.

****Now what if I get approved for SSDI with an onset date prior to my retirement. Will this most definitely involve an offset? If you are not qualified to answer this question please point me in the right direction. Again, Thanks.

Wed, 06/21/2017 - 22:29 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by chazzi44 (not verified)

Hi Chazzi,

Hi Chazzi,
It may be the case that your retirement benefits do not require an offset. As far as SSDI payments, the offset may only be for SSDI monthly benefits, rather than any lump sums.

Thu, 06/22/2017 - 09:43 Permalink
kwoox (not verified)

If i make 140,000k what is my

If i make 140,000k what is my monthly benefit and my elimination period?

Mon, 06/26/2017 - 10:20 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by kwoox (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
You may want to contact the SSA regarding this as they'd have information about your benefits and what your specific benefit amount would be.

Mon, 06/26/2017 - 17:08 Permalink
barbara johnson (not verified)

I have worked with the FERS

I have worked with the FERS for 27 months. I have been in the same field now for 35 years. I am now unable to work in my current position due to medical and will be applying for medical retirement under FERS and SSDI. Do I qualify based on time in FERS and my husband receives a pension. Will I be disqualified because of this?

Mon, 07/03/2017 - 16:25 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by barbara johnson (not verified)

Hi Barbara,

Hi Barbara,
I really could not say for sure as we specialize in information about the SSA's disability process, but you may still be able to qualify for FERS. However, you may want to contact the OPM regarding this.

Fri, 07/07/2017 - 11:05 Permalink
Linda Gatta (not verified)

If I Have Fers & Find Out

If I Have Fers & Find Out I'm Awarded SSDI Can I Refuse SSDI Because I Want To Keep Fers?

Sun, 08/06/2017 - 15:24 Permalink
JJJ (not verified)

In reply to by Eric

Question about a TSP account:

Question about a TSP account: Does it count toward the $2,000 resource limit for SSDI and SSI? Thanks.

Wed, 08/09/2017 - 22:52 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by JJJ (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
the $2000 resource limit only applies to SSI benefits, and a TSP may be counted for the purposes of determining benefits.

Mon, 08/14/2017 - 09:22 Permalink
bert (not verified)

I started working USPS in

I started working USPS in 2006, in 2014 I had to leave medical. I was placed on FERS. I applied for disability but was denied. I appealed. If its approved will I owe FERS money?? It will be 3 years in September since I applied, is this the formula, 100 %, repayment for the first year, then 60% repayment for the following 2 years.

Sun, 08/13/2017 - 16:22 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by bert (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
You may want to contact the OPM to find out if you would owe FERS money.

Mon, 08/14/2017 - 09:23 Permalink
Mark (not verified)

I have a FERS disability

I have a FERS disability retirement $2133 a month. If I apply for SSDI my monthly benefits are estimated to be around $2400 a month. What would my Fers and SSDI checks be. The 60-40 rule is confusing ..

Tue, 08/22/2017 - 03:23 Permalink
Andri (not verified)

My FERS disability app was

My FERS disability app was completed in 07/2016. I also applied for SS disability in 06/2016 and was approved with an onset of 06/2016. I started receiving SS disability in 12/2016 (five month waiting period). I still have not gotten anything from FERS yet. Can I expect to be approved or what?

Mon, 09/11/2017 - 17:14 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Andri (not verified)

Hi Andri,

Hi Andri,
I really could not say, you may want to contact the OPM regarding your application for FERS.

Tue, 09/12/2017 - 08:40 Permalink
Thom Miles (not verified)

I was medically retired from

I was medically retired from my federal job and collect FERS. Of course after the first 12 months my pay was reduced by 60% to compensate for SSDI. I applied for SSDI have have been denied 5 times, I had an attorney. I'm giving up trying. But is there a way for me to get the money back in my FERS pay since I'm not collecting SSDI?

Thu, 10/05/2017 - 10:10 Permalink
Tom M. (not verified)

If you receive back pay from

If you receive back pay from your SSDI claim, will FERS take 60% of that backpay?

Thu, 10/05/2017 - 10:23 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Tom M. (not verified)

Hi Tom,

Hi Tom,
You may want to contact the OPM regarding this, they may offset back pay but it's a good idea to contact them to be sure.

Tue, 10/10/2017 - 13:12 Permalink
Alan (not verified)

Hello, I am a veteran

Hello, I am a veteran receiving 90% from the VA. I am 38 with nearly 20 years of service high 3 = 77k I can get 100% compensation from the VA and SSDI. I am worried about leaving money behind if I leave the federal government with so many years of service. I am hoping to work 25 years and get a VERA but not sure if I can physically last that long and Vera is no guarantee. If my military disability prevents me from continuing should I claim federal disabilty or defer my gov service until 62 the off set looks like a wash and I don't see the point of having both ssdi and fed disability. Under FERS my annuity would be 3200 for 12 months. Not sure what to do or how this benefits me. Thank you for your tim

Sat, 10/14/2017 - 17:01 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Alan (not verified)

Hi Alan,

Hi Alan,
I really could not say, you may want to contact the OPM regarding this as they would be able to give you detailed information specific to your case.

Wed, 10/18/2017 - 15:09 Permalink
Peggy (not verified)

So do I apply for disability

So do I apply for disability and then retire? Or do I file disability retirement through HR?

Tue, 11/14/2017 - 16:58 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Peggy (not verified)

Hi Peggy,

Hi Peggy,
Retirement and disability are separate. You may want to speak to HR regarding this.

Wed, 11/15/2017 - 12:58 Permalink
Karen stevens (not verified)

At age 61 i retired with fers

At age 61 i retired with fers offset. Additionally i got an annuity supplement. I then applied for socsec disability and was approved but the socsec disability was reduced due to the annuity spplement. When i turned 62, the annuity supplement stopped. Will my socsec disability amount go up the same amount as the annuity supplement was?

Sat, 01/13/2018 - 20:24 Permalink

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