Postal Disability Retirement Vs. Social Security Disability

Postal workers are considered federal employees, so additional benefits may be available.

The primary difference between Postal Disability Retirement (PDR) and Social Security Disability (SSDI), is that PDR is a benefit available to federal employees, while SSDI is a federal benefit given to qualifying members of the public.

Standard

Postal Disability Retirement, granted under either Federal Employment Retirement System (FERS) or the Civil Service Retirement Act (CSRS), is considered to have a lower threshold than Social Security Disability Benefits. In particular, SSDI requires total as opposed to partial disability allowed under both the FERS and CSRS, that would prevent a person from working.

Retierment

While the FERS and CSRS allow for different remedies regarding either recovering and returning to work, or just retiring because of disability, SSDI differs. SSDI requires that a person be completely disabled, and is no longer capable or able to work in the future. SSDI's strict requirements make receiving benefits difficult, and creates unnecessary hurdles for postal workers and federal employees.

Preference

A postal worker or federal employee seeking either temporary or permanent disability benefits should differ to either the FERS and CSRS, both of which were drafted with federal employees in mind. Despite this however, the material is confusing and dense, and the advise of a legal professional is highly advisable. Those that do not qualify for FERS or CSRS benefits must seek redress through SSDI or other comparable program.

References

• USPS Disability Retierment
• FERS & CSRS Retirement Issues
• SSA On-line Disability Program

Resources

• SSA On-line Appliying for Benefits