Q. I am 67 years old and still working Civil Service with the Air Force. I was not planning on retiring anytime soon, but I fell at work, completely tore up my shoulder and will have to undergo reverse total shoulder replacement. I have been told this is a “career ender” and that I will be medically retired. I have been paying into FERS for 30+ years. I am drawing an allotment from the VA for Agent Orange diabetes mellitus. How do medical retirement and FERS and VA allotment work together?
A. First, eligibility for FERS disability benefits ends at age 62. That’s when those receiving that benefit have it converted to a regular retirement annuity. If you need to leave government, you can retire on a immediate FERS annuity and continue to receive your VA benefit.
