Q. I will be retiring in early 2014 under CSRS with a spouse and disabled son. I understand that, with proper approval from the Office of Personnel Management, my disabled son may be carried as a beneficiary for survivor benefits at no additional cost. I know that normally, if a dependent spouse predeceases the retiree, the cost of survivor benefits will no longer be deducted from the retirement annuity. Is this still true with the disabled dependent, or will I continue to pay the survivor’s benefit cost?
A. Yes, it’s still true. A disabled child’s benefits are paid separately and without any deductions from your own annuity.
