In many ways, there is too much information “out there” about anything and everything. The area of Federal Disability Retirement Law under FERS & CSRS is no different (and, admittedly, the irony is that I may be adding to the compendium of information with my incessant blogs, articles, reflections, etc.).
The real problem, however, is not necessarily the quantity of information, but rather the quality — and for Federal and Postal employees who are attempting to understand all of the issues surrounding Federal Disability Retirement, it is often difficult to categorize and separate and distinguish between “good” information and “bad” information.
For instance, there is the local/district Human Resources personnel for an employee’s Agency. Agency H.R. offices are made up of “people” — both good and bad, both competent and incompetent; both helpful and downright ornery. Then, there is the Office of Personnel Management. There are multiple internet sites, blogs, a plethora of lawyers (though, there are not that many lawyers who are versed in the area of Federal Disability Law).
The bottom-line issue is not one of “quantity” of information, but how to discern between “good” information and “bad” information. Too often, a person will call me and tell me that “so-and-so told me that X occurs when you file for Federal Disability Retirement — is that true?”
My response as a Federal Disability attorney is of a standard nature: I do not sit and argue or contradict some third person whom I have never met, and against a statement which may have been taken out of context. Instead, I ask my caller, potential clients, and anyone and everyone who reads my writings, to look at the substance of what I write and say; review the consistency of what I have written, and make your own judgment: Discern well by checking out the facts, and seeing if what others have said about me, or what I have said, rings true. Be discerning.
Sincerely,
Robert R. McGill, Esquire
FERS Disability Retirement Attorney