OPM Disability Retirement

I am frequently asked how does OPM figure my disability retirement pension payment. For a FERS disability this is a fairly straightforward matter. During the first 12 months, you are paid 60 percent of your high-3, minus 100 percent of any Social Security disability benefit to which you are entitled. After the first 12 months, you receive 40 percent of your high-3. minus 60 percent of any Social Security disability benefit. Keep in mind that Social Security disability is frequently approved after OPM has already commenced paying you. In that circumstance, when you receive a retroactive payment from Social Security, you need to hold on to that money because OPM is going to come back and recalculate your pension payment from the date your Social Security started and declare an overpayment.