After months of various incentives and plans to trim up the federal workforce, President Trump is now proposing a freeze in federal employee pay. That means that employees won’t get their raise in 2026.
With unpredictable job security because of RIFs and layoffs, and the potential threat of agency closures, you might be thinking about how you can leave work before your job is eliminated. And now that your pay likely won’t increase in the new year, this might be an even better time to consider your options.
Federal Disability Retirement
One option for leaving work without risking your future is Federal Disability Retirement. This option is for people who are struggling to do their job because of a medical condition.
Here’s a couple of examples:
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- Say a mail carrier injures her back and can no longer lift above her head or lift more than 10 pounds. She’ll be a good candidate for Disability Retirement because she can’t do all the duties listed in her job description.
- Or if a pilot for the FAA is prescribed medicine for his PTSD and he’s disqualified from flying, he’d be another great example of someone who could qualify for Disability Retirement.
Even if both of them are put on light or administrative duty, they wouldn’t able to perform all the duties of their position and that’s what matters to the OPM when determining if someone needs Disability Retirement.
After getting Disability Retirement, these workers would still get the most important benefits from their government job, including:
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- A monthly paycheck
- Their federal health and life insurance
- The option to work in the private sector
- Continued years of service added to their pension
An option like this that would let you focus on your wellness while providing the security of regular income and a protected financial future, is a strong alternative to staying at work and missing out on your raise in the new year.
This benefit is also a good option for people worried that their job might be eliminated due to a RIF or layoff. And it’s a more secure option than a VERA or deferred resignation offer. Federal Disability Retirement won’t cause you to lose out on growing your pension, it won’t require you to buy your own health and life insurance, and it gives you the freedom to stay working in the private sector on your own terms.
How do I qualify?
To qualify for the benefit, you’ll need to meet certain requirements.
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- You need to have at least 18 months of service with the federal government
- You need to have a medical condition that stops you from doing at least one of your job duties
- Your medical condition needs to have started or gotten worse while working at your federal job
- Your doctor should expect your condition to last at least a year
- Your HR department will need to sign off that they weren’t able to accommodate you because of your condition
- You need to fill out and submit an application before you leave your job, or within a year of your last day on the job
- You need to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance, but you don’t have to be approved for it
Don’t let RIFs, layoffs, or pay freezes contribute to your stress anymore. If you’re ready to get back to living life instead of struggling at work and worrying about the ever-changing federal government, consider whether or not Federal Disability Retirement might be right for you.
Give our office a call today for a free consultation and we’ll help you figure out how to secure your well-being, your finances, and your future.
