FERS Disability: FERS Disability

Federal Employee Disability Retirement: The little pleasures in life

August 6, 2018

One often suspects that the concept itself was invented by the wealthy and scornful — perhaps in some back room where caviar and champagne were being served, and someone whispering, “Let the little people have some little pleasures in life…”. It is that which we are prevailed upon to believe as the ultimate contentment of life: of the “little pleasures” that pass by as the greater significance, as opposed to owning an original Monet or a Renoir. […]

Medical Retirement under FERS & CSRS: Technically correct

May 18, 2018

What does a person mean when it is said, “Yes, that is technically correct”? Does it matter where the inflection resides, or which part of the statement is emphasized? If greater syllabic magnification is placed on the word itself, whilst the remainder of the sentence is left in a monotone of boredom, is something else being conveyed beyond the mere words declared? […]

Federal & Postal Medical Retirement: The rabbits we chase

March 19, 2018

The rabbits we chase are the ones that reveal not so much about our preferences, but more about who we are and the priorities we place. For, as one walks about in life, whether in suburban neighborhoods where rabbits abound because no one shoots them for meals, anymore, and so they can multiply without natural restrictions for lack of predators, the fact that there are other things to pursue […]

Medical Retirement under FERS & CSRS: The distant bark

January 10, 2018

A lone dog barks in the distance. We cannot determine where, or even from what direction, but the echo of wailing, sometimes of whimpering, reverberates like a mist in the early morning that quietly pervades but can never be grasped. Perhaps it persists, and we leave the safety of our own home in search of the cry, as the forlorn sounds made wavers between a spectrum of hurt, pain, loneliness or urgency of need; no matter the reason, the bark is desperate. […]

OPM Retirement for Mental or Physical Incapacity: Dreams quashed

January 2, 2018

It has a ring of finality to it, a tone of termination, a quake of unequivocal endings; to extinguish, to suppress or to stamp out; it is often used as an example of some authoritative juggernaut putting down and out a rebellion by some wayward bandits; and so when it is conjoined and combined with another word – one that denotes hope for the future, a flicker of light for something positive […]

OPM Disability Retirement Benefits: “Yes, but…”

December 31, 2017

The interjection of an affirmation followed by a conjunction can have multiple, unexpected meanings. Perhaps it is to provide a sharp contrast to a statement previously held and left unchallenged; or to “add” to a declaration thought to be somewhat inadequate and needing an appendage for completion otherwise incomplete or left with a void that could be misconstrued unless filled. […]

FERS & CSRS Disability Retirement: The changing straw

October 30, 2017

The “straw that broke the camel’s back” is a known idiom that essentially reveals to us the last in the series of incidents or actions that cumulatively result in the destruction of the whole. What in the series preceding the last straw; of what weight and import; to what significance may be attributable, we rarely focus upon; it is the last one in the series that we focus our attention upon, precisely because we assume that it is the causal connection to the event that conclusively occurs with a finality of actions. […]

Disability Retirement for Federal Workers: Of other’s misery

October 27, 2017

It may give one a sense of short-term satisfaction; sort of like Chinese carry-out, it satisfies for an hour or so, then seems to lose its efficacy for fulfillment. Whereas, there are other foods that tend to last for greater time; and so it is with receiving news or information of other’s misery. It certainly allows for a comparison of sorts; of tilting balances imagined, or even for contrasting accomplishments forsaken, dreams yet unfulfilled or misery unabated. […]

CSRS & FERS Medical Disability Retirement: Regarding dogs and books

October 26, 2017

They are the two default positions to happiness, loneliness and sorrowful days that can only be solved along with a cup of hot chocolate. What is amazing and somewhat perplexing is that, as to the former, the very fact that one species of life can have such a close and interacting relationship with another existent species is an incomprehensible truism steeped in beauty. […]

FERS & CSRS Disability Retirement: Little battles fought

September 23, 2017

It is the minor skirmishes of life that maintain the vitality of everyday existence; they are fought in preparation for the greater battles and campaigns. That is why a ‘strategy’ is important; otherwise, taking the same hill countless times in a day leads one to wonder what the greater plan is. For, futility and the sense of meaninglessness are what defeat any motivation to continue. […]