CSRS Disability
Retirement.
If a medical condition prevents you from performing your CSRS-covered position, disability retirement may be an option. Here's what you need to qualify, how to apply, and how your benefit is calculated.
Disability retirement
as a last resort.
OPM advises that disability retirement should only be considered after your agency has exhausted all reasonable attempts to retain you through accommodation or reassignment — not as a first response to a medical condition.
OPM suggests considering disability retirement only after providing your employing agency with complete documentation of your medical condition and after your agency has exhausted all reasonable attempts to retain you in a productive capacity — through accommodation or reassignment.
CSRS disability retirement provides an "earned" annuity computed under the standard CSRS general formula. However, for employees under age 60 whose earned annuity falls below the guaranteed minimum, the law provides a floor — ensuring a meaningful benefit even with limited years of service.
Unlike FERS disability, CSRS does not require a concurrent Social Security application — unless you are covered under CSRS Offset.
All five conditions
must be met.
CSRS disability retirement requires meeting every one of the following conditions — not a selection of them. Review each carefully before beginning the application process.
5 years of creditable federal civilian service
You must have completed at least five years of creditable federal civilian service. Note: CSRS requires 5 years, compared to 18 months for FERS disability.
Disabled while in a CSRS-covered position
You must have become disabled — due to disease or injury — while employed in a position subject to CSRS, preventing useful and efficient service in your current role. This means fully successful performance of the critical or essential elements of your position, or the ability to perform at that level, and satisfactory conduct and attendance.
Disability expected to last at least one year
The disabling condition must be expected to prevent useful and efficient service for a minimum of one year from the date of disability.
Agency certifies it cannot accommodate or reassign you
Your agency must certify that it is unable to accommodate your disabling medical condition in your current position, and that it has considered you for any vacant position at the same grade or pay level within the same commuting area for which you are qualified.
Application received by OPM within one year of separation
You, your guardian, or another interested person must apply before separation from service or within one year of separation. The application must be received by OPM within that one-year window. This time limit may be waived only in instances involving incompetency.
Applying for CSRS
disability retirement.
Required forms
SF 2801 — Application for Immediate Retirement (CSRS)
SF 3112 — Documentation in Support of Disability Retirement
CSRS Offset only: Documentation that you have applied for Social Security disability benefits after separating from your agency.
Separated 31 days or less — work through your agency
If you are still employed or separated for 31 days or less, your employing agency may help you complete the required forms. If you are still on the agency payroll, they will forward the completed forms to OPM. It remains your responsibility to provide all information necessary for OPM to make a decision — including all required forms and supporting documentation.
Separated more than 31 days — submit directly to OPM
If separated for more than 31 days, your former agency may no longer have your personnel records. Submit your application directly to OPM to meet the one-year deadline:
U.S. Office of Personnel ManagementRetirement Operations Center
Post Office Box 45
Boyers, PA 16017
Ask your former supervisor and agency to complete SF 3112B, SF 3112D, and SF 3112E and give them to you so you can send them directly to OPM.
Running out of time? Submit a partial package
If you're at risk of missing the one-year deadline, send OPM the completed SF 2801 and SF 3112A along with the name, address, and telephone number of the person(s) completing the remaining forms. This preserves your claim while the full package is assembled.
Disability retirement computation
You are entitled to an "earned" annuity computed under the standard CSRS general formula. However, if you are under age 60 and your earned annuity is less than the guaranteed minimum, the law ensures a higher floor benefit.
Earned annuity — CSRS general formula
Guaranteed minimum annuity
Reductions to your disability annuity
Your basic annual disability annuity may be reduced by the following factors. Each applies independently — review all four before estimating your net benefit.
Cost-of-living adjustments (COLA)
Your disability annuity will be increased by cost-of-living adjustments that occur after you retire. Your first COLA will be prorated based on how long you have been retired when that adjustment is granted.
Periodic medical exams
When OPM approves your disability retirement, they may determine — based on your medical condition — that you will periodically need to provide current medical information to continue receiving benefits. You are responsible for paying for any required medical exams.
Related
links.
Official OPM documentation, application forms, and additional resources for CSRS disability retirement applicants.