Part D—Benefits Accruing to Certain Participants

§2051. Retirement for disability or incapacity; medical examination; recovery

(a) Disability retirement

(1) Eligibility

A participant who has become disabled shall, upon the participant's own application or upon order of the Director, be retired on an annuity computed under subsection (b).

(2) Standard for disability determination

A participant shall be considered to be disabled only if the participant—

(A) is found by the Director to be unable, because of disease or injury, to render useful and efficient service in the participant's position; and

(B) is not qualified for reassignment, under procedures prescribed by the Director, to a vacant position in the Agency at the same grade or level and in which the participant would be able to render useful and efficient service.

(3) Time limit for application

(A) One year requirement

A claim may be allowed under this section only if the application is submitted before the participant is separated from the Agency or within one year thereafter.

(B) Waiver for mentally incompetent participant

The time limitation may be waived by the Director for a participant who, at the date of separation from the Agency or within one year thereafter, is mentally incompetent, if the application is filed with the Agency within one year from the date of restoration of the participant to competency or the appointment of a fiduciary, whichever is earlier.

(b) Computation of disability annuity

(1) In general

Except as provided in paragraph (2), an annuity payable under subsection (a) shall be computed under section 2031(a) of this title. However, if the disabled or incapacitated participant has less than 20 years of service credit toward retirement under the system at the time of retirement, the annuity shall be computed on the assumption that the participant has had 20 years of service, but the additional service credit that may accrue to a participant under this paragraph may not exceed the difference between the participant's age at the time of retirement and age 60.

(2) Coordination with military retired pay and veterans' compensation and pension

If a participant retiring under this section is receiving retired pay or retainer pay for military service (except that specified in section 2082(e)(3) of this title) or Department of Veterans Affairs compensation or pension in lieu of such retired or retainer pay, the annuity of that participant shall be computed under section 2031(a) of this title, excluding credit for such military service from that computation. If the amount of the annuity so computed, plus the retired or retainer pay which is received, or which would be received but for the application of the limitation in section 5532 ¹ of title 5, or the Department of Veterans Affairs compensation or pension in lieu of such retired or retainer pay, is less than the annuity that would be payable under this section in the absence of the previous sentence, an amount equal to the difference shall be added to the annuity payable under section 2031(a) of this title.

(c) Medical examinations

(1) Medical examination required for determination of disability

In each case, the participant shall be given a medical examination by one or more duly qualified physicians or surgeons designated by the Director to conduct examinations, and disability shall be determined by the Director on the basis of the advice of such physicians or surgeons.

(2) Annual reexaminations until age 60

Unless the disability is permanent, like examinations shall be made annually until the annuitant becomes age 60. If the Director determines on the basis of the advice of one or more duly qualified physicians or surgeons conducting such examinations that an annuitant has recovered to the extent that the annuitant can return to duty, the annuitant may apply for reinstatement or reappointment in the Agency within one year from the date the annuitant's recovery is determined.

(3) Reinstatement

Upon application, the Director may reinstate any such recovered disability annuitant in the grade held at time of retirement, or the Director may, taking into consideration the age, qualifications, and experience of such annuitant, and the present grade of the annuitant's contemporaries in the Agency, appoint the annuitant to a grade higher than the one held before retirement.

(4) Termination of disability annuity

Payment of the annuity shall continue until a date one year after the date of examination showing recovery or until the date of reinstatement or reappointment in the Agency, whichever is earlier.

(5) Payment of fees

Fees for examinations under this subsection, together with reasonable traveling and other expenses incurred in order to submit to examination, may be paid out of the fund.

(6) Suspension of annuity pending required examination

If the annuitant fails to submit to examination as required under this section, payment of the annuity shall be suspended until continuance of the disability is satisfactorily established.

(7) Termination of annuity upon restoration of earning capacity

If the annuitant receiving a disability retirement annuity is restored to earning capacity before becoming age 60, payment of the annuity terminates on reemployment by the Government or 180 days after the end of the calendar year in which earning capacity is restored, whichever is earlier. Earning capacity shall be considered to be restored if in any calendar year the income of the annuitant from wages or self-employment, or both, equals at least 80 percent of the current rate of pay for the grade and step the annuitant held at the time of retirement.

(d) Treatment of recovered disability annuitant who is not reinstated

(1) Separation

If a recovered or restored disability annuitant whose annuity is discontinued is for any reason not reinstated or reappointed in the Agency, the annuitant shall be considered, except for service credit, to have been separated within the meaning of section 2054 of this title as of the date of termination of the disability annuity.

(2) Retirement

After such termination, the recovered or restored annuitant shall be entitled to the benefits of section 2054 or 2071(a) of this title, except that the annuitant may elect voluntary retirement under section 2053 of this title, if qualified thereunder, or may be placed by the Director in an involuntary retirement status under section 2055(a) of this title, if qualified thereunder. Retirement rights under this paragraph shall be based on the provisions of this subchapter in effect as of the date on which the disability annuity is discontinued.

(3) Further disability before age 62

If, based on a current medical examination, the Director determines that a recovered annuitant has, before reaching age 62, again become totally disabled due to recurrence of the disability for which the annuitant was originally retired, the annuitant's terminated disability annuity (same type and rate) shall be reinstated from the date of such medical examination. If a restored-to-earning-capacity annuitant has not medically recovered from the disability for which retired and establishes to the Director's satisfaction that the annuitant's income from wages and self-employment in any calendar year before reaching age 62 was less than 80 percent of the rate of pay for the grade and step the annuitant held at the time of retirement, the annuitant's terminated disability annuity (same type and rate) shall be reinstated from the first of the next following year. If the annuitant has been allowed an involuntary or voluntary retirement annuity in the meantime, the annuitant's reinstated disability annuity shall be substituted for it unless the annuitant elects to retain the former benefit.

(e) Coordination of benefits

(1) Workers' compensation

A participant is not entitled to receive for the same period of time—

(A) an annuity under this subchapter, and

(B) compensation for injury to, or disability of, such participant under subchapter I of chapter 81 of title 5, other than compensation payable under section 8107 of such title.

(2) Survivor annuities

An individual is not entitled to receive an annuity under this subchapter and a concurrent benefit under subchapter I of chapter 81 of title 5 on account of the death of the same person.

(3) Greater benefit

Paragraphs (1) and (2) do not bar the right of a claimant to the greater benefit conferred by either this subchapter or subchapter I of chapter 81 of title 5.

(f) Offset from survivor annuity for workers' compensation payment

(1) Refund to Department of Labor

If an individual is entitled to an annuity under this subchapter and the individual receives a lump-sum payment for compensation under section 8135 of title 5 based on the disability or death of the same person, so much of the compensation as has been paid for a period extended beyond the date payment of the annuity commences, as determined by the Secretary of Labor, shall be refunded to the Department for credit to the Employees' Compensation Fund. Before the individual may receive the annuity, the individual shall—

(A) refund to the Secretary of Labor the amount representing the commuted compensation payments for the extended period; or

(B) authorize the deduction of the amount from the annuity.

(2) Source of deduction

Deductions from the annuity may be made from accrued or accruing payments. The amounts deducted and withheld from the annuity shall be transmitted to the Secretary for reimbursement to the Employees' Compensation Fund.

(3) Prorating deduction

If the Secretary finds that the financial circumstances of an individual entitled to an annuity under this subchapter warrant deferred refunding, deductions from the annuity may be prorated against and paid from accruing payments in such manner as the Secretary determines appropriate.

(Pub. L. 88–643, title II, §231, as added Pub. L. 102–496, title VIII, §802, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3220; amended Pub. L. 103–178, title II, §202(a)(8), Dec. 3, 1993, 107 Stat. 2026.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 5532 of title 5, referred to in subsec. (b)(2), was repealed by Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title VI, §651(a)(1), Oct. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 664.

Prior Provisions

A prior section 231 of Pub. L. 88–643, title II, Oct. 13, 1964, 78 Stat. 1046; Ex. Ord. No. 12326, §2, Sept. 30, 1981, 46 F.R. 48889; Pub. L. 94–522, title II, §§205–207, Oct. 17, 1976, 90 Stat. 2470; Ex. Ord. No. 12443, §1, Sept. 27, 1983, 48 F.R. 44751; Pub. L. 99–335, title V, §501(2), June 6, 1986, 100 Stat. 622; Pub. L. 102–183, title III, §305, Dec. 4, 1991, 105 Stat. 1265, related to retirement for disability or incapacity, medical examination, and recovery and was set out as a note under section 403 of this title prior to the general amendment of Pub. L. 88–643 by section 802 of Pub. L. 102–496.

Amendments

1993—Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 103–178 substituted "2071(a) of this title" for "2071(b) of this title".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1993 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 103–178 effective Feb. 1, 1993, see section 202(b) of Pub. L. 103–178, set out as a note under section 2001 of this title.

Effective Date

Section effective on first day of fourth month beginning after Oct. 24, 1992, see section 805 of Pub. L. 102–496, set out as a note under section 2001 of this title.

¹ See References in Text note below.

§2052. Death in service

(a) Return of contributions when no annuity payable

If a participant dies and no claim for an annuity is payable under this subchapter, the participant's lump-sum credit and any voluntary contributions made under section 2121 of this title, with interest, shall be paid in the order of precedence shown in section 2071(c) of this title.

(b) Survivor annuity for surviving spouse or former spouse

(1) In general

If a participant dies before separation or retirement from the Agency and is survived by a spouse or by a former spouse qualifying for a survivor annuity under section 2032(b) of this title, such surviving spouse shall be entitled to an annuity equal to 55 percent of the annuity computed in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection and section 2031(a) of this title, and any such surviving former spouse shall be entitled to an annuity computed in accordance with section 2032(b) of this title and paragraph (2) of this subsection as if the participant died after being entitled to an annuity under this subchapter. The annuity of such surviving spouse or former spouse shall commence on the day after the participant dies and shall terminate on the last day of the month before the death or remarriage before attaining age 55 of the surviving spouse or former spouse (subject to the payment and restoration provisions of sections 2031(b)(3)(C), 2031(i), and 2032(b)(3) of this title).

(2) Computation

The annuity payable under paragraph (1) shall be computed in accordance with section 2031(a) of this title, except that the computation of the annuity of the participant under such section shall be at least the smaller of (A) 40 percent of the participant's high-3 average pay, or (B) the sum obtained under such section after increasing the participant's length of service by the difference between the participant's age at the time of death and age 60.

(3) Limitation

Notwithstanding paragraph (1), if the participant had a former spouse qualifying for an annuity under section 2032(b) of this title, the annuity of a surviving spouse under this section shall be subject to the limitation of section 2031(b)(3)(B) of this title, and the annuity of a former spouse under this section shall be subject to the limitation of section 2032(b)(4)(B) of this title.

(4) Precedence of section 2034 survivor annuity over death-in-service annuity

If a former spouse who is eligible for a death-in-service annuity under this section is or becomes eligible for an annuity under section 2034 of this title, the annuity provided under this section shall not be payable and shall be superseded by the annuity under section 2034 of this title.

(c) Annuities for surviving children

(1) Participants dying before April 1, 1992

In the case of a participant who before April 1, 1992, died before separation or retirement from the Agency and who was survived by a child or children—

(A) if the participant was survived by a spouse, there shall be paid from the fund to or on behalf of each such surviving child an annuity determined under section 2031(d)(3)(A) of this title; and

(B) if the participant was not survived by a spouse, there shall be paid from the fund to or on behalf of each such surviving child an annuity determined under section 2031(d)(3)(B) of this title.

(2) Participants dying on or after April 1, 1992

In the case of a participant who on or after April 1, 1992, dies before separation or retirement from the Agency and who is survived by a child or children—

(A) if the participant is survived by a spouse or former spouse who is the natural or adoptive parent of a surviving child of the participant, there shall be paid from the fund to or on behalf of each such surviving child an annuity determined under section 2031(d)(3)(A) of this title; and

(B) if the participant is not survived by a spouse or former spouse who is the natural or adoptive parent of a surviving child of the participant, there shall be paid to or on behalf of each such surviving child an annuity determined under section 2031(d)(3)(B) of this title.

(3) "Former spouse" defined

For purposes of this subsection, the term "former spouse" includes any former wife or husband of a participant, regardless of the length of marriage or the amount of creditable service completed by the participant.

(Pub. L. 88–643, title II, §232, as added Pub. L. 102–496, title VIII, §802, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3223; amended Pub. L. 103–178, title II, §202(a)(9), Dec. 3, 1993, 107 Stat. 2026; Pub. L. 116–92, div. E, title LXII, §6202(a)(2)(A)(i), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 2185.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 232 of Pub. L. 88–643, title II, Oct. 13, 1964, 78 Stat. 1048; Pub. L. 91–185, §4, Dec. 30, 1969, 83 Stat. 848; Pub. L. 94–522, title II, §208, Oct. 17, 1976, 90 Stat. 2471; Pub. L. 99–335, title V, §501(2), June 6, 1986, 100 Stat. 622; Pub. L. 100–178, title IV, §402(a), Dec. 2, 1987, 101 Stat. 1013; Pub. L. 101–193, title III, §303, Nov. 30, 1989, 103 Stat. 1703; Pub. L. 102–88, title III, §305(a)(3), Aug. 14, 1991, 105 Stat. 432; Pub. L. 102–183, title III, §302(b), (c), Dec. 4, 1991, 105 Stat. 1262, 1263; Pub. L. 102–496, title III, §304(b), Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3183, related to death in service and was set out as a note under section 403 of this title prior to the general amendment of Pub. L. 88–643 by section 802 of Pub. L. 102–496.

Amendments

2019—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 116–92 substituted "2031(i)," for "2031(h),".

1993—Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 103–178 substituted "eligible for an annuity under section 2034" for "eligible for an annuity under section 2032".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1993 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 103–178 effective Feb. 1, 1993, see section 202(b) of Pub. L. 103–178, set out as a note under section 2001 of this title.

Effective Date

Section effective on first day of fourth month beginning after Oct. 24, 1992, see section 805 of Pub. L. 102–496, set out as a note under section 2001 of this title.

§2053. Voluntary retirement

(a) A participant who is at least 50 years of age and has completed 20 years of service may, on the participant's application and with the consent of the Director, be retired from the Agency and receive benefits in accordance with the provisions of section 2031 of this title if the participant has not less than 10 years of service with the Agency.

(b) A participant who has at least 25 years of service, ten years of which are with the Agency, may retire, with the consent of the Director, at any age and receive benefits in accordance with the provisions of section 2031 of this title if the Office of Personnel Management has authorized separation from service voluntarily for Agency employees under section 8336(d)(2) of title 5 with respect to the Civil Service Retirement System or section 8414(b)(1)(B) of such title with respect to the Federal Employees' Retirement System.

(Pub. L. 88–643, title II, §233, as added Pub. L. 102–496, title VIII, §802, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3225; amended Pub. L. 103–36, §3, June 8, 1993, 107 Stat. 106.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 233 of Pub. L. 88–643, title II, Oct. 13, 1964, 78 Stat. 1048, related to voluntary retirement and was set out as a note under section 403 of this title prior to the general amendment of Pub. L. 88–643 by section 802 of Pub. L. 102–496.

Amendments

1993—Pub. L. 103–36 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a) and added subsec. (b).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective on first day of fourth month beginning after Oct. 24, 1992, see section 805 of Pub. L. 102–496, set out as a note under section 2001 of this title.

§2054. Discontinued service benefits

(a) Deferred annuity

A participant who separates from the Agency may, upon separation or at any time before the commencement of an annuity under this subchapter, elect—

(1) to have the participant's contributions to the fund returned to the participant in accordance with section 2071(a) of this title; or

(2) except in a case in which the Director determines that separation was based in whole or in part on the ground of disloyalty to the United States, to leave the contributions in the fund and receive an annuity, computed as prescribed in section 2031 of this title, commencing at age 62.

(b) Refund of contributions if former participant dies before age 62

If a participant who qualifies under subsection (a) to receive a deferred annuity commencing at age 62 dies before reaching age 62, the participant's contributions to the fund, with interest, shall be paid in accordance with the provisions of section 2071 of this title.

(Pub. L. 88–643, title II, §234, as added Pub. L. 102–496, title VIII, §802, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3225; amended Pub. L. 103–178, title II, §202(a)(10), Dec. 3, 1993, 107 Stat. 2026.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 234 of Pub. L. 88–643, title II, Oct. 13, 1964, 78 Stat. 1048; Pub. L. 97–269, title VI, §608, Sept. 27, 1982, 96 Stat. 1152; Pub. L. 99–335, title V, §501(2), June 6, 1986, 100 Stat. 622, related to discontinued service benefits and was set out as a note under section 403 of this title prior to the general amendment of Pub. L. 88–643 by section 802 of Pub. L. 102–496.

Amendments

1993—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 103–178 substituted "section 2071" for "sections 2071 and 2121".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1993 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 103–178 effective Feb. 1, 1993, see section 202(b) of Pub. L. 103–178, set out as a note under section 2001 of this title.

Effective Date

Section effective on first day of fourth month beginning after Oct. 24, 1992, see section 805 of Pub. L. 102–496, set out as a note under section 2001 of this title.

§2055. Mandatory retirement

(a) Involuntary retirement

(1) Authority of director.—The Director may, in the Director's discretion, place in a retired status any participant in the system described in paragraph (2).

(2) Paragraph (1) applies with respect to any participant who has not less than 10 years of service with the Agency and who—

(A) has completed at least 25 years of service; or

(B) is at least 50 years of age and has completed at least 20 years of service.

(b) Mandatory retirement for age

(1) In general

A participant in the system shall be automatically retired from the Agency—

(A) upon reaching age 65, in the case of a participant in the system who is at the Senior Intelligence Service rank of level 4 or above; and

(B) upon reaching age 60, in the case of any other participant in the system.

(2) Effective date of retirement

Retirement under paragraph (1) shall be effective on the last day of the month in which the participant reaches the age applicable to that participant under that paragraph.

(3) Authority for extension

In any case in which the Director determines it to be in the public interest, the Director may extend the mandatory retirement date for a participant under this subsection by a period of not to exceed 5 years.

(c) Retirement benefits

A participant retired under this section shall receive retirement benefits in accordance with section 2031 of this title.

(Pub. L. 88–643, title II, §235, as added Pub. L. 102–496, title VIII, §802, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3225; amended Pub. L. 111–259, title II, §201, Oct. 7, 2010, 124 Stat. 2657.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 235 of Pub. L. 88–643, title II, Oct. 13, 1964, 78 Stat. 1049; Ex. Ord. No. 12443, §13, Sept. 27, 1983, 48 F.R. 44754; Pub. L. 99–335, title V, §501(2), June 6, 1986, 100 Stat. 622; Pub. L. 102–183, title III, §307, Dec. 4, 1991, 105 Stat. 1265, related to mandatory retirement and was set out as a note under section 403 of this title prior to the general amendment of Pub. L. 88–643 by section 802 of Pub. L. 102–496.

Amendments

2010—Subsec. (b)(1)(A). Pub. L. 111–259 substituted "who is at the Senior Intelligence Service rank" for "receiving compensation under the Senior Intelligence Service pay schedule at the rate".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective on first day of fourth month beginning after Oct. 24, 1992, see section 805 of Pub. L. 102–496, set out as a note under section 2001 of this title.

§2056. Eligibility for annuity

(a) One-out-of-two requirement

A participant must complete, within the last two years before any separation from service (except a separation because of death or disability) at least one year of creditable civilian service during which the participant is subject to this subchapter and in a pay status before the participant or the participant's survivors are eligible for an annuity under this subchapter based on that separation.

(b) Refund of contributions for time not allowed for credit

If a participant (other than a participant separated from the service because of death or disability) fails to meet the service and pay status requirement of subsection (a), any amounts deducted from the participant's pay during the period for which no eligibility is established based on the separation shall be returned to the participant on the separation.

(c) Exception

Failure to meet the service and pay status requirement of subsection (a) shall not deprive the participant or the participant's survivors of any annuity to which they may be entitled under this subchapter based on a previous separation.

(Pub. L. 88–643, title II, §236, as added Pub. L. 102–496, title VIII, §802, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3226.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 236 of Pub. L. 88–643, as added Pub. L. 101–193, title III, §302(2), Nov. 30, 1989, 103 Stat. 1703, related to eligibility for annuity and was set out as a note under section 403 of this title prior to the general amendment of Pub. L. 88–643 by section 802 of Pub. L. 102–496.

A prior section 237 of Pub. L. 88–643, title II, formerly §236, Oct. 13, 1964, 78 Stat. 1049; Pub. L. 91–626, §4, Dec. 31, 1970, 84 Stat. 1873; Pub. L. 93–31, May 8, 1973, 87 Stat. 65; Pub. L. 99–335, title V, §501(2), June 6, 1986, 100 Stat. 622, renumbered §237, Pub. L. 101–193, title III, §302(1), Nov. 30, 1989, 103 Stat. 1703, related to limitation on number of retirements and was set out as a note under section 403 of this title prior to the general amendment of Pub. L. 88–643 by section 802 of Pub. L. 102–496.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective on first day of fourth month beginning after Oct. 24, 1992, see section 805 of Pub. L. 102–496, set out as a note under section 2001 of this title.