Federal workers entitled to FERS disability retirement pensions currently receive an annuity that is based on the their High-3 average pay, that is, the highest average basic pay earned during any 3 consecutive years of service. However, new federal legislation introduced in 2012 under the Secure Annuities for Federal Employees (SAFE) Act, looks to change how the annuities for federal employees are calculated. The SAFE Act would require the computation of annuities to be based on a “High-5” average. Under a High-5 computation, federal employees will lose several hundred dollars per year in retirement benefits. The pending legislation would apply only to employees hired after the effective date of the Act. Current employees will still have their annuities computed on the basis of their High-3 average basic pay.
If you are a federal or postal employee contemplating filing or have already filed an application for federal disability assistance, then you should consult with an experienced attorney. At Andalman & Flynn, our team of legal professionals can assist and represent you to help protect your rights and increase your chances of success with your disability retirement annuity claim. Feel free to call us at 301-563-6685 or toll-free at 1-888-558-7871. You can also visit our website at www.andalmanflynn.com and complete one of our website contact forms so we can contact your for a consultation concerning your situation.
We have significant experience representing clients seeking disability benefits. For more information and how you may be impacted, contact one of our Disability Benefits attorneys, Elliott Andalman and Peter Casciano.