FERS Medical Retirement: Labor Day — 2022

It is the last hurrah; the demarcation before the race begins — of the true starting point as well as the finish line.  The end of lazy days in summer; the beginning of the long slosh of working days until – Thanksgiving?

Historically, it is the day set aside to celebrate and honor the achievements of the American Labor Movement — that antiquated time when workers demanded and gained “rights” and privileges.  Unfettered capitalism required something more than flowery words and good intentions; safety on the workplace floor was not always taken for granted, and when children were put to work and deprived of a childhood, the need for a “labor movement” was spurred into existence.

History does not reflect a time past where good hearted people with a conscience voluntarily provided a “living wage”, or cared about safety and the protection of the worker, or out of a social conscience provided for healthcare, days off to spend with families, restricted the number of hours required to work, etc.

Instead, the long and inglorious history of the Industrial Revolution is replete with poverty-induced wages, unsafe working conditions and uncaring industrialists striving to squeeze every penny out of exhausted and overworked employees.  In this modern age, we have been persuaded that those “olden days” of predatory industrialists wouldn’t/couldn’t possibly return; but any study and knowledge of human history would betray such a notion.

The American Labor Movement was a necessary component of human progress; it is relevant today, just as it was in past times.  The fact that the American Worker can have a 3-day weekend and enjoy family, friends, a neighborhood barbecue — or just to sleep in for a change — is a testament to that celebratory day we love and cherish:  Labor Day, September 5th, 2022.

Sincerely,

Robert R. McGill,
Lawyer exclusively representing Federal and Postal employees to secure their Federal Disability Retirement benefits under FERS from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.

Medical Retirement Benefits for US Government Employees: Labor Day Weekend

Over the years, the evolution of the meaning of terms, concepts, conceptual references, etc., results in a spectrum of changes.  What was once originally conceived to represent X, over time embraces and encompasses a conceptual entity which may be an inverted or convex cave of creative characterizations barely containing the originality of meaning.  Labor Day is one such concept.  Yet, whatever the prior meaning, the origin of such meaning, etc., for the “everyday” worker, it represents the idea of the end of summer, a celebration of workers and the contribution to society and the productivity of a life of work.  

For the Federal or Postal employee who is considering filing for Medical Retirement benefits under FERS or CSRS, Labor Day Weekend is merely a needed period of respite and recuperation; a time to recover from the chronic and increasingly debilitating medical conditions which are progressively ravaging one’s body, mind and/or soul.  Whether in an insignificant or relatively minor position as a clerk, secretary, assistant, etc., or at an executive or managerial level of the Federal government, medical disabilities fail to discriminate.  The importance of the job left unaccomplished begins to cumulatively manifest over time; perhaps it is left unnoticed to the Supervisor, or the greater suspicion is that the Supervisor is simply being “nice” about it and intentionally not noticing.  But over time, suspicions arise and exponentially magnify; and one begins to wonder whether the Agency is contemplating some action.

Labor Day is merely a bump in time; yes, it can be used for a period of rest and recuperation; but for the long term, the very celebration for which Labor Day is reflective of, should make the Federal or Postal worker pause and consider that the benefit of Federal Disability Retirement is one which is part of the compensation package which the labor force fought for, precisely to recognize the need of such a benefit if and when a Federal or Postal employee is no longer able to perform all of the essential elements of one’s job.  

Preparing to file for Federal Disability Retirement benefits begins by a conceptual contemplation of it; formulating it requires some pragmatic steps; filing it is the completion of such steps.  The first step is to determine the need for it, and then one may truly begin to recuperate from one’s progressively worsening medical conditions.

Sincerely,

Robert R. McGill, Esquire

Labor Day Weekend and the Federal Employee

Labor Day is traditionally viewed as the end of summer, the entrance back into the routine of the work world, where the lazy days of camping, spending additional time with one’s family; of the soft, lapping sounds of waves rolling as one attempts to squeeze the last remaining hours of leisure and tropical enjoyment.  Then, on to the rushing days of work, and more work.  It is, moreover, a celebration of the laboring exercise of a productive economy — one which has sputtered and stalled in the last two years.  

For the Federal or Postal worker who has filed, or is contemplating filing, for Federal Disability Retirement benefits under FERS or CSRS, the celebration of Labor Day comes whenever there is the recognition and acknowledgement that one can no longer perform one or more of the essential elements of one’s job.  At that point of recognition, the time to plan for a secured future comes into play.  The days of full labor and productivity may be coming to an end; but that does not mean that one cannot go out and be productive in some non-Federal, non-Postal capacity.

Remember that Federal Disability Retirement under FERS or CSRS does not mean that you cannot work at any other job, ever.  Indeed, the opposite is true.  You may, after securing your Federal Disability Retirement benefits under FERS or CSRS, go out and get another job in the private sector, and make up to 80% of what your former Federal or Postal position currently pays.  While it may be difficult to do that in this tough economy, brighter days are hopefully ahead, and the time to begin preparing for that brighter future is now.

Sincerely, Robert R. McGill, Esquire

CSRS & FERS Disability Disability Retirement: Celebrating Labor Day

Part of celebrating Labor Day Weekend for Federal and Postal Employees under FERS & CSRS should be to reflect upon, and be proud of, the tremendous years of loyalty and commitment which the Federal and Postal employee has given to the Federal Service.  Take the long weekend off.  You deserve it.  Federal Disability Retirement benefits will be there when and if you need it.  It is a long process.

Sincerely,

Robert R. McGill, Esquire