Disability Retirement,
Workers’ Compensation & FMLA

Your federal career comes with protections most employees never fully understand. We help you navigate disability retirement, OWCP claims, and FMLA rights — so your benefits work for you when you need them most.

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Income Protection  · Disability Retirement · OWCP Claims · FMLA Rights · FERS Benefits · CSRS Coverage · FECA Protections · OPM Applications · Return-to-Work · Medical Documentation · Federal Leave Rights · Workers’ CompensationIncome Protection  · Disability Retirement · OWCP Claims · FMLA Rights · FERS Benefits · CSRS Coverage · FECA Protections · OPM Applications · Return-to-Work · Medical Documentation · Federal Leave Rights · Workers’ Compensation

Why This Matters

Your Career Built These
Protections. Use Them.

Federal employees under FERS and CSRS have access to disability retirement benefits, workers’ compensation through OWCP, and Family and Medical Leave Act protections. Yet the majority of eligible employees never file — or file incorrectly — because the process is complex and the guidance is scarce.

PWR Retirement Group, in partnership with Konexo, provides end-to-end support: from understanding your eligibility, to completing intake documentation, to preparing your case for review by qualified consultants.

Three federal protections every employee should understand — and few ever do.

Most federal employees don’t lose their benefits because they aren’t entitled to them. They lose them because no one ever explained the process.

— Ronaldo Padua, Federal HR Specialist, PWR Retirement Group

Federal Disability Retirement

FERS disability retirement provides a monthly annuity if you can no longer perform your specific position due to a medical condition. Unlike Social Security disability, you don’t need to prove total disability — only that the condition prevents useful and efficient service in your current role. Benefits begin at 60% of your high-3 salary (minus 100% of Social Security) for the first year, then 40% thereafter until age 62.

  • Minimum 18 months of creditable civilian service required

  • Must have a medical condition expected to last at least 1 year

  • Agency must confirm it cannot accommodate or reassign you

  • You can still work in the private sector while receiving benefits

  • Application goes to your agency first, then to OPM for final decision

  • One year from separation to file — don’t miss the deadline

At a Glance

18 mo

Minimum Service

60%

Year 1 Benefit

40%

Year 2+ Benefit

1 yr

Filing Deadline

Not sure if you qualify?

Submit a Disability Retirement intake form and a Konexo consultant will review your situation and advise on next steps.

At a Glance

75%

Max Wage Replace

45 d

COP (Traumatic)

100%

Medical Covered

ECAB

Appeal Rights

Injured on the job?

Complete the OWCP case intake form so a Konexo consultant can evaluate your claim and guide your next steps.

Workers’ Compensation — OWCP / FECA

If you’ve been injured on the job or developed an illness related to your federal employment, you’re entitled to wage replacement, medical treatment coverage, and vocational rehabilitation through the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP). Claims are filed under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA) and cover both traumatic injuries (CA-1) and occupational diseases (CA-2).

  • Wage replacement: 66.67% (no dependents) or 75% (with dependents) of salary

  • Full coverage for all authorized medical treatment related to the injury

  • Schedule awards for permanent impairment to specific body parts

  • Vocational rehabilitation if unable to return to prior position

  • Continuation of Pay (COP) for up to 45 days for traumatic injuries

  • Right to appeal through ECAB if claim is denied or modified

Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

FMLA entitles eligible federal employees to up to 12 workweeks of unpaid, job-protected leave during any 12-month period. The leave can be used for a serious health condition affecting the employee, to care for an immediate family member, for the birth or placement of a child, or for qualifying military exigencies. Your health benefits continue under the same terms during FMLA leave.

  • 12 weeks of protected leave per 12-month period

  • 26 weeks available for military caregiver leave

  • Health insurance continues on the same terms during leave

  • Can be taken intermittently or on a reduced schedule

  • Applies to all federal employees regardless of tenure

  • Can be combined with paid sick leave or annual leave

At a Glance

12 wk

Standard Leave

26 wk

Military Caregiver

Day 1

Eligible From

100%

Job Protected

Need to take medical leave?

Understanding your FMLA rights is the first step. Contact us for a free consultation to coordinate your leave options.

The Process

From Intake to Resolution

Whether you’re filing for disability retirement or a workers’ comp claim, the process follows a clear path.

Initial Consultation

Schedule a free session with PWR to discuss your situation, understand your rights, and determine which protection applies — disability retirement, workers’ comp, FMLA, or a combination.

Case Intake Submission

Complete the appropriate Konexo intake form (Disability Retirement or OWCP). Provide accurate facts, dates, and upload any supporting documents — medical records, agency letters, and correspondence.

Consultant Review

A Konexo consultant reviews your intake, evaluates the strength of your case, identifies any gaps in documentation, and prepares a case strategy for your consultation.

Documentation & Filing

Working with your consultant, assemble all required forms and evidence. For disability retirement: SF 3112 series. For OWCP: CA-1 or CA-2 with medical narrative and witness statements.

Submission & Follow-Up

Your case is submitted to OPM (disability) or OWCP (workers’ comp). Your consultant tracks the case, responds to requests for additional information, and keeps you informed at every stage.

Decision & Appeals

Once a decision is rendered, your team reviews the outcome. If denied, appeal options are evaluated — including ECAB for OWCP claims or reconsideration requests through OPM for disability retirement.

Case Intake

Submit Your Case for Expert Review

PWR has partnered with Konexo to provide professional case intake and consultant review. Choose the appropriate form below and submit your information securely.

Disability Retirement Intake

This form helps Konexo gather key information about your disability retirement situation so a consultant can review your case before your consultation. Provide accurate facts and dates, and upload any supporting documents.

  • Medical records and diagnoses

  • Agency letters and accommodation requests

  • SF 3112 forms (if already initiated)

  • Supervisor and employer statements

  • Correspondence with OPM or HR

🔒Secure submission · Does not create an attorney-client relationship

OWCP Case Intake

This form collects information regarding your federal workers’ compensation case. Provide accurate facts, dates, and documents whenever possible. If you don’t know an exact answer, provide your best estimate.

  • CA-1 or CA-2 claim forms (if filed)

  • Medical treatment records and narratives

  • Employer injury reports and notices

  • OWCP correspondence and case number

  • Witness statements (if available)

🔒Secure submission · For case evaluation purposes only

Submitting an intake form does not create an attorney-client relationship and does not constitute legal advice. A Konexo consultant will review your information and follow up with you about next steps.

For FMLA guidance or general questions about your federal employee rights, schedule a free consultation with PWR directly.

Avoid These Errors

6 Costly Mistakes Federal Employees Make

01

Missing the 1-Year Filing Deadline

For FERS disability retirement, you must file within one year of your separation from federal service. Once this window closes, you permanently lose your right to apply.

02

Filing OWCP Without Medical Narrative

A CA-1 or CA-2 form alone isn’t enough. OWCP requires a detailed medical narrative from your physician connecting your condition to your federal employment — and vague language leads to denials.

03

Confusing FMLA With Paid Leave

FMLA provides job protection — not paid leave. Many employees assume FMLA means paid time off. In reality, it protects your position while you use accrued sick or annual leave, or take unpaid leave.

04

Not Coordinating OWCP and Disability

OWCP and disability retirement serve different purposes and have different eligibility rules. Some employees file one when they should file both — or file them in the wrong sequence.

05

Accepting Denial Without Appeal

Both OPM disability retirement and OWCP claims have formal appeal processes. Many initial denials are overturned on reconsideration or appeal with stronger documentation.

06

Relying on Agency HR Alone

Your agency HR office processes paperwork — they don’t advocate for your claim. Having an independent consultant review your case ensures nothing is missed or mischaracterized.

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Call us today to discuss your investment options

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Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Disability retirement (through OPM) provides a monthly annuity when a medical condition prevents you from doing your specific job. Workers’ compensation (through OWCP) provides wage replacement and medical coverage for injuries or illnesses caused by your federal employment. You may qualify for both — and in some cases, filing both is the right strategy.

Generally, you cannot receive both simultaneously. However, you can file for both. If your OWCP claim is approved first, your disability retirement application can remain pending. If your OWCP benefits are later terminated, your disability retirement annuity may begin. A consultant can help you coordinate the optimal filing sequence.

Processing times vary, but OPM typically takes 2 to 6 months for an initial decision. If your claim is denied and you request reconsideration, additional time is required. Having a complete, well-documented application from the start is the best way to avoid delays.

No. Unlike Social Security Disability, FERS disability retirement does not require total disability. You only need to demonstrate that your medical condition prevents you from performing the essential functions of your specific position — and that the condition is expected to last at least 12 months.

FMLA leave is unpaid — it provides job protection, not pay. However, federal employees can substitute available paid leave (sick leave, annual leave, or leave from a leave bank) during FMLA-covered absences to continue receiving their salary.

Your Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) coverage continues under the same terms and conditions during FMLA leave. If you’re in an unpaid status, you’ll still need to arrange for your employee share of the premium — typically through a direct pay arrangement with your agency.

Submitting an intake form allows a Konexo consultant to review your case information before a formal consultation. It does not create an attorney-client relationship and does not constitute legal advice. It’s an evaluation step to determine how best to support your case.

Take the First Step

Your Benefits Are Waiting.
Let’s Put Them to Work.

Schedule a free consultation with PWR Retirement Group to understand your disability retirement, workers’ compensation, and FMLA options — or submit an intake form for professional case review.