OPM Proposal Gives Greater Protection to Federal Employees Who Become Disabled

Washington, DC-- The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has proposed a change in the regulations governing the civil service pension programs which will result in greater protection for federal employees seeking retirement benefits based on disability. The proposed change will affect the application procedures under the retirement plans, the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), which cover most federal employees and provide benefits for families of deceased employees and retirees. OPM administers both of those retirement plans.

The new rule will allow OPM to accept disability retirement applications as timely, as long as they are filed within one year of separation from service, at either OPM or their former employing agency. Under the current rules for both retirement plans, an individual who applies for disability retirement after leaving service must file his or her claim directly with OPM within one year of separation. Normally, an employee who is seeking disability retirement before his or her service ends, files a claim with his or her employer.

OPM Director Jim B. King says, "The proposed rule change reflects our customer orientation because it will allow federal employees who are seeking disability retirement benefits greater flexibility in filing their applications. As a result of this flexibility, we believe federal employees will find they have greater retirement protection in the event they become disabled for service."

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