Q: I suffered a stroke on the job with the U.S Postal Service, and I recieve disabilty pay from the USPS. I also applied for and recieve disabilty pay from Social Security. When I had the stroke, I had enough sick leave to hold me over until I was approved for Federal Employees Retirement System disabilty pay. Social Security gave me the back pay. Do I have to pay this money back? Also, will my FERS disability pay be reduced since I get Social Securirty disability pay?
A: Yes, your FERS disability annuity will be affected by your Social Security disability benefit. During the first 12 months, you will receive 60 percent of your high-3 average salary minus 100 percent of your Social Security disability benefit. After that, you’ll receive 40 percent of your high-3 average salary minus 60 percent of your Social Security benefit. I have no way of knowing whether you have received the correct amount of money from the Social Security Administration or if you will have to give any of it back. You’ll have to ask the Social Security Administration.
