“I worked for 15 years as a special provision (law enforcement) employee before going out on FERS disability retirement at age 50. I will have 12 years on the disability retirement when I reach age 62 and a recalculation takes place. I understand the first 15 years of service will be computed at the special provisions rate of 1.7%, but can you tell me what the additional 12 years while on the disability retirement will be, is it 1.0%, 1.1% or 1.7%?

Reg’s Response

According to OPM:

“If the employee is eligible for the special formula that apply to law enforcement officers, firefighters, or air traffic controllers...the formula for these special groups of employees uses a 1.7 percent factor for the first 20 years and 1 per cent for additional years.”

You are correct that at age 62 your disability annuity will be converted to a regular annuity. The amount of that benefit will be based on your high-3 on the day you went on disability retirement, increased by any retiree cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) that occurred after that date.

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Got a question for the Federal Times expert? Send inquiries to: fedexperts@federaltimes.com.

Reg Jones, a charter member of the senior executive service, is the resident expert on retirement and the federal government at Federal Times. From 1979 until 1995, he served as an assistant director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management handling recruiting and examining, white and blue collar pay, retirement, insurance and other issues. Opinions expressed are his own.

Reg Jones, a charter member of the senior executive service, is our resident expert on retirement and the federal government. From 1979 to '95, he served as an assistant director of the Office of Personnel Management handling recruiting and examining, white and blue collar pay, retirement, insurance and other issues. Opinions expressed are his own.

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