Q. I have been receiving federal workers’ compensation since February 2007 for an on-the-job injury. I never applied for Social Security disability. I turned 66 on Feb. 3 and applied for my full SS retirement benefits. If I hadn’t been injured on the job, I would still be working and would continue to work while receiving my full retirement benefit from Social Security (as allowed by SS).
Can I continue to receive the OWCP monthly benefit and get my full retirement benefit? I would like to supplement my SS retirement benefit and continue to work, but my injury keeps me from working. It seems to me that since I cannot work, OWCP should continue to pay my monthly benefit while receiving my full retirement benefit from Social Security.
A. If you receive workers’ compensation or other public disability benefits and Social Security disability benefits, the total amount of these benefits cannot exceed 80 percent of your average current earnings before you became disabled.
