Q. The requirements for Social Security disability are much higher than for FERS disability retirement, so what happens to FERS if you are approved by OPM but denied by the Social Security Administration? Can you still receive your FERS disability retirement? Must you continue to reapply with SSA regularly? I have 15 years in FERS and am only 42.
A. Yes, you can collect your FERS disability retirement even if you don’t qualify for Social Security disability benefits. While you won’t be required to reapply to the Social Security Administration, you will be required to provide periodic updates on your health to OPM.
