Last Updated on April 25, 2012
Self-interest is an interesting characteristic to observe — one which everyone possesses, but only the obtuse deny. In preparing, formulating and filing for Federal Disability Retirement benefits from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, whether under FERS or CSRS, be aware that the Agency has its own self-interest.
If the stated interest is couched in terms of the Federal or Postal employee’s “best interests”, it is good to be suspicious, or at least modestly cautious in embracing such a claim. Such wariness in accepting the stated claim of one’s agency is obviously not a warning which most Federal or Postal employees would receive with any surprise; you have been Federal or Postal employees for many years, and those initial years of idealism and youthful enthusiasm have already been stamped out of you (let not the cynicism of this writer dampen the ardor of youth).
If one follows the advice of the Agency blindly, ask yourself the following question: If you receive a denial at the First Stage of the process, will the agency respond in a helpful manner, or will they say: It is not our responsibility — it is the Office of Personnel Management which makes the decision? Is it a common experience that agencies defer responsibility when something goes wrong?
Sincerely,
Robert R. McGill, Esquire
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