How To Apply For A Disability Retirement
Once DRS receives the completed application and all supporting documentation, it usually takes about four to six weeks to determine your eligibility for a disability retirement.
The full application process averages 4-5 months from the time you request the estimate, but the timing can vary. Providing all requested documentation along with a complete application can help reduce the wait time.
If the disability retirement is approved, your retirement date would be the first of the month after your separation date. DRS would issue your monthly benefit payments on the last business day of the following month and every month after.
What Is An Annuity
Annuities are lifetime income plans you purchase.
When its time to retire, you have some additional optionsoptions that can change your finite savings into a monthly, lifetime income called an annuity. An annuity is a guaranteed income plan you purchase. The monthly payments you receive are based on the dollar amount you choose to purchase. The annuity will provide monthly payments for your lifetime. The annuities DRS offers are administered by Washington state with investments provided by the Washington State Investment Board.
Negotiating My Current Job Duties
- Likelihood of occurring: 5/10
- Desirably of outcome: 10/10
Instead of chasing a unicorn job, what if I tried to make a unicorn job. As I have said before, I like my job. Im just not crazy about the following things:
- Supervisory duties
- Extensive travel
- Full time work.
In my mind, working part time in my current job is everything I want .
If I were able to achieve these changes, Id get to keep FEHB and all of the parts of my job I love especially the awesome workplace culture we have. Furthermore, Id moderate some of the unpleasant aspects of my job and add more time to work on passion projects.
In my mind, this is everything I want .
Now- the big questions is whether I can pull it off. I think if I were confident in having enough FU money, I could ask for this knowing I could walk away if it didnt work the way I want it to.
However, even at > 80% of the way to full financial independence, Ive thought about asking to work part time and chickened out. Im not sure Ill ever have the confidence to do this.
You May Like: How To Save A Million For Retirement
After You Submit Your Application
We’ll send you an acknowledgment letter after we receive your retirement application. We may also contact you if we have questions or need additional information.
Approximately two weeks before your first retirement warrant, weâll mail you a First Payment Acknowledgment Letter that provides important information about your service retirement, including the date and amount of your first retirement check.
You may sign up to receive your retirement checks through direct deposit at the same time you submit your retirement application. To set up direct deposit online, log in to myCalPERS. Go to the Retirement tab and select Payment Options. Alternatively, you can complete and mail the Direct Deposit Authorization to:
CalPERS Benefit Services Division
Why Dont More Federal Government Employees Take Early Retirement

Do federal employees really have golden handcuffs?
Kind of.
In one of my most shared posts, I describe how leaving the government just 1 day before your MRA will cost you over a million dollars in benefits.
And its not just monetary considerations. When I imagine myself retiring early, I give myself second-thoughts every time I consider these benefits of working for the federal government.
Recommended Reading: Do You Pay Taxes On Retirement Pension
What Is The Best Age To Retire In Canada
As per Statistics Canada, the average of all retirees in 2021 was 64.4 years. This average age for public sector employees was 62.4, private sector workers clocked in at 64.8 years, and self-employed individuals retired at 67.6 years on average.
While there is no definite best retirement age for everyone, what works for you will largely depend on your:
- Financial circumstances
- Future plans
While I think the earlier retirement is, the better, early retirement is not for everyone. There are so many important considerations.
To start, you need to save enough money. Often, this is easier done when you earn a high income earlier in life.
For the aggressive FIRE saver, it could mean missing out on simple life pleasures and experiences that are better enjoyed when you are younger.
When you start to withdraw from your retirement pot and what you are invested in is important.
If you make large withdrawals when the stock markets are in a prolonged downturn, your savings may not recover, potentially exposing you to the dreaded risk of running out of money.
What do you plan to do with your life in retirement? If you donât have a social life or friends outside of work or engaging hobbies, early retirement can do more harm than good.
Early Retirement In Canada: What You Need To Know In 2022
The normal age to retire and start receiving a pension in Canada is 65. This is when your Old Age Security kicks in and when you get an âunreducedâ benefit from the Canada Pension Plan .
While a traditional retirement age of 65 has been the norm, early retirement at 60, 55, or even earlier has become more mainstream in recent years.
Getting out of the workforce to pursue your dreams, travel the world, improve your health, and spend more time with family and friends is the goal of many a retiree. And if you are part of the Financial Independence/Retire Early movement, you want to reach this âwork optionalâ status as soon as possible through financial independence.
So, what does early retirement look like in Canada? What is the best age to retire? Should you retire early? And how much money do you need to retire?
Read Also: Retirement Account Options For Small Businesses
If You Are Retiring Or Resigning Step 1
Submit your letter of resignation to your manager for approval. Your manager will give you a signed acceptance letter or other letter for departure and will send this information and, if applicable, a copy of Health Canadaâs disability decision, to your internal human resources team. Your departmentâs trusted source authenticates these documents and sends copies to the Pay Centre as soon as possible under cover of a pay action request form.
What To Know About Retiring Early As A Federal Employee
If youre a civilian employee working for the Federal Government, youre most likely familiar with the Federal Employees Retirement System . Ever since 1987, peoples retirement coverage falls under the FERS.
For those who arent well informed, FERS is a retirement plan that offers specific people benefits from three sourcesSocial Security, Basic Benefit Plan, and Thrift Savings Plan . If you plan to leave your Federal Government job before your retirement date, you can carry over your Social Security and TSP without issues.
Although youve been managing a government pension for some time now, it can still be quite complicated to process everything by yourself, given all the benefits you expect to receive. If you want to have a better grasp of the FERS, keep reading below to learn more about it.
Also Check: Retirement Community East Longmeadow Ma
Consider Your Personal Circumstances
There are many factors you should consider when deciding when to start receiving your CPP retirement pension. These include your health, your financial situation, and your plans for retirement.
For example, if youre healthy, expect to live a long life, or have access to other sources of income, you may choose to start receiving your CPP retirement pension later. This will result in a larger monthly pension, which could help protect you from outliving your savings.
However, if youd prefer to work less, or you want the money now to pay off debts or to fund your retirement plans, you may choose to start receiving your pension before age 65. This will result in a smaller monthly payment which can help meet immediate needs, especially if you have little or no other income.
The Canadian Retirement Income Calculator can also help you better understand your future financial security.
Inapplicability Of Privacy Notices/statements Of Any Linked Websites Or Other Third Parties
This Privacy Notice only addresses PSPP Corporation’s use and disclosure of your personally identifiable information. As this website may contain links to other websites, please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other websites, and we are not liable for their misuse of personally identifiable information. We encourage you to be aware that when you go to another website you should carefully read its privacy statement.
Read Also: No Retirement Savings At 50
Early Retirement Age In Canada
What is an early retirement age in Canada?
If we are to go by the age at which you can start collecting OAS, the standard age to retire is 65.
The CPP offers some flexibility, allowing Canadian seniors to begin receiving a retirement pension at age 60, howbeit at a reduced rate.
If you are lucky to have a workplace pension or are enrolled in a public service pension plan, you could retire as early as age 55 and get a reduced or standard pension, depending on the length of your pensionable service.
Lastly, FIRE adherents can retire at any age when they have built a portfolio that can generate enough passive income to live off for life.
Record Of Employment For Ei Benefits

If you are opening a claim for employment insurance benefits after leaving the public service, a record of employment is required to confirm your eligibility and level of benefits.
The Pay Centre issues a web-based record of employment within 5 calendar days of the end of your last pay period. This record of employment is then retained by Service Canada. Contact the Client Contact Centre if there is any delay.
Also Check: Retirement Communities In The Woodlands
The Civil Service Retirement System
The CSRS is a defined benefit plan that covers most federal employees hired prior to December 31, 1983. Upon retirement, CSRS participants receive an annuity that pays a monthly benefit based on:
- Age at retirement
- The type of retirement selected
- Average annual pay in the three highest-paid years
- Deposit for service performed prior to October 1, 1982
- Provisions for survivors
When Do You Get Paid
Your pension money will be direct deposited into your bank account on the last business day of the month, every month, for the rest of your life. The retirement application has a section for your bank information so your funds will be deposited. Once youve retired, you can make any updates to your direct deposit through your online account.
See live or recorded retirement planning webinars.
Also Check: Sandhill Cove Retirement Living Palm City Fl
Congress Passes A Single Payer Health Care System
- Likelihood of occurring: 1/10
- Desirably of outcome: 9/10
This is almost the opposite of the last scenario. What if everyone had access to affordable health insurance regardless of employment? Can you imagine how many more people would not be afraid to make the leap and retire early?
If we all had access to affordable health insurance, then the FEHB benefit would not be unique. In that case, I would not hesitate to take an early retirement from the federal government when I have reached my financial independence milestone.
Voluntary Early Retirement Authority
Occasionally, the federal government will try to reduce its workforce through attrition. When they do this, they typically offer two different programs: buy outs and early outs .
A VSIP is a cash payment of up to $25,000 to quit. This does not affect other retirement benefits. So if you had 10 years of service, you would still be eligible for a normal deferred retirement. Typically, VSIPs are an incentive for people who can already retire to leave.
On the other hand, a VERA is an incentive the federal government offers employees to reduce the workforce through early retirement. It allows certain employees to retire before their MRA with full retirement benefits. To be eligible for a VERA you need
- 25 years of service OR
- 20 years of service and be 50 years old
Your workplace may not offer a VERA when youre ready to retire.
Compared to deferred and postponed retirements, VERAs are much more generous.
- Employees who take a VERA can keep their FEHB.
- Annuity payments begin immediately upon separation.
- Annuity = 1%
It is important to note however that you cannot plan to take a VERA. Your workplace may not offer a VERA when youre ready to retire. Also, even if your workplace offered a VERA, they might not approve it for your position if you have a critical job.
Also Check: Kiplingers Best Places To Retire
What Happens If I Leave Federal Service Before Retirement Age
If you leave your government job before you become entitled to a pension: you can request that your pension contributions be repaid to you in a lump sum, or. If you have at least five years of creditworthy service, you can wait until you are of retirement age to apply for monthly pension payments.
What happens if you quit before retirement age?
In short, unless you are able to come up with that amount and put it in a qualifying retirement account, it is considered a distribution that may be taxable. And if you are under 55 when you leave the job, you will have to pay a 10% fine for early retirement.
Can a FERS employee retire early?
It is possible to retire from the government with as little as 10 years of service. Among them is a unique option under the Federal Employees Retirement System that allows a worker to retire at their minimum retirement age with as little as 10 years of service.
What Is My Fers Benefit
The FERS Basic Benefit Scheme is a defined benefit scheme for federal employees that allows you and your agency to contribute a portion of your salary today to a scheme that will pay you a monthly pension when you retire, provided that you obviously meet the requirements of the schemes rules for participation.
How much is the FERS basic benefit?
Generally, the FERS basic benefit is 1% of your high-3 average salary times your years of credible service. FERS employees can currently contribute up to 11% of the basic salary to the austerity plan.
How much will I get from my FERS retirement?
This three-year term may be at any time during your federal career. Your regular salary, together with any local salary, is included in the calculation for your average of three. FERS pension = 1.1% x high salary-3 x years of employment. This equates to 1% 1.1% of your highest annual salary for each year in federal service.
Don’t Miss: Active Retirement Communities Knoxville Tn
Is An Annuity Right For Me
Annuities can provide guaranteed income for your life. And they offer security through a set monthly income which can increase annually if you are eligible for a Cost-of-Living Adjustment . However, flexibility is not a feature of annuities. Once you set it up, an annuity doesnt allow you to change the income amount. Once you begin receiving monthly payments, you cannot cancel the annuity.
With annuities, you take money out of market risk and use it to give yourself a monthly lifetime income. Annuities are the only investment withdrawal option that guarantee you will not outlive your account balance.
Retirement Age In Canada: 67

The Canadian government has been working hard to avoid running out of social security money by choosing a retirement age for OAS that works for everyone. At the same time, political leaders argue that pushing the eligibility age higher means taking much-needed assistance away.
In 2016, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau fought to lower the eligibility age from 67 to 65, a reversal of a previous policy by his predecessor. Since then, proposed retirement ages have bounced between 60 and 70, so what is it now?
For now, the OAS retirement age is still 65. However, the government agreed that they should begin slowly raising the age until it hits 67 by 2029. This change was originally proposed in 2012, challenged in 2016, yet confirmed a few years later.
Don’t Miss: Does Amazon Have A Retirement Plan
How Much Money Do I Have In Fers
How can I find out the balance in my pension account? If you are a current employee, contact your staff office. If you are divorced from federal service or are currently retired, please contact OPMs Retirement Office at 1-888-767-6738 or
Where can I find my FERS statement? How to access your monthly annuity statement
- Log in to your online account. Go to OPM Retirement Services Online.
- Select the payment period you want to view from the drop-down menu.
How Do Benefits Work And How Can I Qualify
While you work, you pay Social Security taxes. This tax money goes into a trust fund that pays benefits to:
- Those who are currently retired
- To people with disabilities
- To the surviving spouses and children of workers who have died
Each year you work, youll get credits to help you become eligible for benefits when its time for you to retire. Find all the benefits Social Security Administration offers.
There are four main types of benefits that the SSA offers:
Read Also: Can You Borrow From Your Retirement Fund
Can I Retire From The Federal Government After 10 Years
It is possible to retire from the government with as little as 10 years of service. But it will cost you. Under the MRA 10 option, only 10 years of service is required to qualify for immediate retirement if you are under the age of 62 .
What happens to federal pension if you quit?
As FERS employees are covered by social security, these years, when applying for a social security benefit, will be counted together with those they have earned through external employment. In this respect, nothing is lost by leaving the government.
What happens if I leave federal service before retirement age?
If you leave your government job before you become entitled to a pension: you can request that your pension contributions be repaid to you in a lump sum, or. If you have at least five years of creditworthy service, you can wait until you are of retirement age to apply for monthly pension payments.