{"id":25536,"date":"2023-04-13T10:30:43","date_gmt":"2023-04-13T10:30:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/federaltimes\/uncategorized\/2023\/04\/13\/disability-retirement-or-optional-retirement-which-is-better\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T05:09:03","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T05:09:03","slug":"disability-retirement-or-optional-retirement-which-is-better","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/federaltimes\/your-career\/2023\/04\/13\/disability-retirement-or-optional-retirement-which-is-better\/","title":{"rendered":"Disability Retirement or Optional Retirement. Which is better?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u201cI\u2019m 65.5 years old with 20 years federal service and am disabled. I submitted my FERS retirement packet and OPM is asking if I would like to chose a Disability Retirement or Optional Retirement. Both annuities (Disability and Optional) will be the same amount of money monthly. Being I\u2019m above 62 years of age I don\u2019t believe I would get an annuity supplement. Which is the best option to choose?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Reg\u2019s Response<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

First, OPM shouldn\u2019t have offered you a choice between disability and optional retirement. You would only be eligible for an optional retirement. That\u2019s because disability retirements are automatically converted to optional retirements at age 62, and you are well over that age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Second, the special retirement supplement is never applied to disability retirement benefits, only to the annuities of regular FERS retirees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Third, as an optional retiree you will be entitled to any cost-of-living adjustments that are applied to your annuity in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\t