In 1998, I left the US Postal Service under approved disability and began receiving a check as a disability annuitant. This year, I applied for social security early retirement (age 62). During my application process, I was contacted by a Social Security representative, who was able to view my online application, as I was completing it. The representative asked why I wasn’t also applying for social security disability, (since based on my answers under the medical questions, it was apparent that I was disabled).
I explained that I was already receiving disability from the postal service and as I stated on my application, I thought that I couldn’t apply or have both. I was advised to apply for social security disability, and I asked if that would affect my disability from the postal service. She asked if I were under FERS or CSRS; I replied FERS. She said it would not be affected, so I applied.
In September, I was awarded social security early retirement (First check in October) and my social security disability application is being processed. My FERS disability annuity was recomputed/adjusted on 8/28/17 because I turned 62 on that date.

My questions: The letter explaining the adjustment in my FERS disability annuity states that I need to inform OPM if I become eligible to receive social security benefits. Will my disability retirement under FERS be reduced by: 1) My early retirement social security check? 2) My social security disability check, if approved?

It seems that I would be penalized significantly for applying for social security disability, should I pull the application before a decision is made?

Hi,

I'm sorry, but I'm not an expert on FERS so I really can't answer your question. I don't think it would matter to FERS whether you receive either Social Security retirement or disability benefits, but you should check with the people at OPM to be sure.

Best, Jerry