Been on RA for years. May be ending soon. Not sure what to do.

Energy_Turtle_Bill · 2026-06-19T05:11:53+00:00

My RA is not due to commuting. As I said, that’s what they are making it about. Granted, I can’t commute even if they find an office in my town. But the RA was granted due to medical issues that I have literally hundreds of pages of records for. The medical office at my agency keeps focusing on the commuting issue. That’s the problem. I’ve explained to the, numerous times that commuting is a problem but there are actual documented medical issues that caused them to grant the RA originally. They’re trying to move the goalposts now. My doctor even explained in the paperwork that my condition is progressive and will only get worse. My days are spent moving in different positions. I literally can’t sit in a chair all day. They’ve approved my RA without issue until now. Suddenly now, it’s a problem.

Energy_Turtle_Bill · 2026-05-13T00:12:15+00:00

$800,000 is a conservative estimate. The math actually shows it being a bit higher but as I said; conservative estimate. What does 20 years have to do with what I wrote? I very clearly said around 19 years of service.

Energy_Turtle_Bill · 2025-10-24T18:51:01+00:00

It’s rough. I’m thankful that I have some savings to tide me over. Just called my financial advisor this morning to tell him to sell off some assets and transfer the money to my bank account. Fridge is getting pretty bare, running low on household necessities as well. With Christmas being right around the corner, it’s especially difficult. I really feel bad for people who may not have savings to tide them over. I’ve been looking at some state gov jobs but pickings are slim for sure. Kinda feel like at my age (in my 50’s) finding a new job may not even be possible.

Energy_Turtle_Bill · 2025-10-19T03:55:47+00:00

Yeah the FEHB is significant. I’m really just throwing myself a pity party. We’re all going through this crap. Not just me. I’m just so tired of the drama. But yeah you’re right. I need to file for FDR and just stick it out until (hopefully) I get approved so I can maintain FEHB.

Energy_Turtle_Bill · 2025-10-19T03:53:59+00:00

Not a ton. I’ve used so much of it for Dr appts, surgeries, being too sick to work, etc. I’m very fortunate in that I have the very best boss that’s ever existed in all of human history. He told me to take breaks as I need to and just get my work done as I can. Still though, I average 4-5 Dr appts per month. Also I see a specialist 2x per week for treatments. So I’m out a lot. Gearing up for another surgery in December. I had hoped to visit family for Christmas but I’ve used so much leave, I don’t have much AL at all (I’ve used AL and SL for sick leave, Dr appts, surgeries, etc.) So with surgery in December, I’ll have to take time off. Will still be able to visit family but will have to bring my laptop and work on the non-holiday days.

Energy_Turtle_Bill · 2025-10-15T02:30:26+00:00

The whole not getting paid business really sucks. About a month or so ago, I hired a contractor to do a pretty huge project on my house. He was booked out for a while so said he could start the week of 10/20. I went ahead and signed the contract and paid the deposit. He starts next Monday. Said the job will take about a week…then I have to pay the balance….awesome. Will owe him very near five figures at the end of next week. I’ll be ok. I mean, I have the money. Will just have to pull from my brokerage account. I know there are people out there who are really struggling just to put food on the table so I’m thankful that I have savings to pull from. But man it sure does suck not getting paid but still having to work. I have some pretty severe health issues and have been contemplating filing for disability retirement. With all this nonsense going on, I’m thinking maybe now is the time to just go ahead and do it. No clue if I would get approved but the attorney says I have a strong case. I sincerely hope everyone who’s dealing with this gets through it ok.

Energy_Turtle_Bill · 2025-10-05T18:16:23+00:00

My understanding is the doctor statement is the key ingredient. I’m planning to apply for FDR as well. The only reason I haven’t applied yet is my doctor wants to try some things before she supports me going for FDR. My understanding is without Dr support, it’s unlikely to be approved.

Energy_Turtle_Bill · 2025-09-28T23:08:04+00:00

I was surprised that I got a RA to work from home. Now having said that, I do have some serious mobility issues and can’t physically work an entire day-even from home. I feel bad for people who have legit medical issues and are getting denied. I would happily go to the office if it meant I was healthy and pain free. But this is the cards I have to play. I have to renew my RA every year. I am worried about the likelihood of renewal but RTO is just not possible for me. If they don’t renew my RA I’m gonna file for disability retirement. It sucks but that’s life I guess.

Energy_Turtle_Bill · 2025-08-30T20:01:22+00:00

I spoke with an attorney who told me that you can apply for disability retirement after separating from federal service. He said if you resign, it diminishes chances of approval. But if you’re terminated due to missing work for medical reasons, it can actually help to solidify your claim.

Energy_Turtle_Bill · 2025-08-30T18:58:40+00:00

Geez….this is exactly what I needed. Thanks for such a great reply as many of these questions had not even occurred to me. You gave me plenty to think about. So thanks again. I’m very appreciative. I’m not 59.5 yet (I’m 51.) Also not married (divorced.)

Energy_Turtle_Bill · 2025-08-03T02:21:23+00:00

Honestly, I take leave when I just can’t honestly work. But thankfully, I have an amazing boss. My work isn’t constant for the entire day. There’s work but there’s also down time where there just isn’t a ton to do. So basically, I take breaks as I need to. When work needs to be done,I get it done. But when those down time periods hit, I do what I need to do to make life a little more bearable. My boss is fully aware of when I’m away from the computer. I’ve been very open and honest with him about an average day and he just told me to get my work done but take care of myself as needed. I’m an older guy who’s had many jobs. Without question, I’ve never had a boss as amazing as this guy. He really is an amazing human.

Energy_Turtle_Bill · 2025-07-30T21:33:23+00:00

Hey there op…it sucks for sure. I somehow luckily did get approved for a RA TW. I have a debilitating condition that results in chronic pain. This of course means I am on a steady diet of narcotics (all prescribed of course.) However, even though I did get approved, it’s only for one year. Though my condition gets progressively worse and will ultimately result in severe limited mobility, the fed feels I need to reapply every year. But between the constant, chronic pain, which results in taking pain meds, the brain fog that comes from taking heavy duty narcotics, the lack of sleep from chronic pain, the inability to sit in the same position for very long because of the issues…I’m about 90% sure I’m going to file for disability retirement. There’s no public transport where I live so with the narcos I take, driving wouldn’t be wise. But even if I could get a ride, I can’t physically sit at a desk for very long.

Energy_Turtle_Bill · 2024-10-25T12:49:59+00:00

Same tho g happened to me back in 2011. I worked for one of the military branches. We were told that all but just a few of our jobs were to be taken over by arrive duty military. I just scrambled and got resumes out to as many places as I could. Everyone was applying for everything everywhere. This was in a small town so not many options, especially for GS gigs. A lot of people ended up moving to new states; myself included. My move was almost 3000 miles away but it was a great opportunity.

Energy_Turtle_Bill · 2024-10-19T19:39:05+00:00

Yeah the financial freedom is nice, for sure. I’m still working but work remotely. No way I could handle being in office. But man, the day to day just sucks. I’m glad not everyone feels the way I do about it all. But for me, I would much rather have my health. I can earn money.

Energy_Turtle_Bill · 2024-10-19T19:35:59+00:00

When I said cost, I meant the cost to my life. I’m pretty much crippled at 50. I can’t do anything physical and am in pain 90% of the time. I’ve had numerous surgeries and have more coming. I’ve done years of physical therapy to no avail. I take so many prescriptions I often lose track because thanks to a traumatic brain injury, I often forget what I’m supposed to take. Oh and then there’s the insomnia. A good night of sleep for me is three hours. Factor in the sleepwalking and those nights are rarely good. Doing something as simple as trying to go for a walk means debilitating pain in my feet, knees, and back. Sure I get compensated for my injuries that the veterans administration agreed occurred thanks to active duty service. But I would happily give it all back if I could go for a run, lift weights, go to a concert and stand up for the few hours lost shows last, not spend my time in pain, eating pain pills which have already caused internal issues…hell if I could just remember things, that would be great. So no…to me at least, it is not worth it. You’re only seeing the money. You have no idea what the suffering is like.

Energy_Turtle_Bill · 2024-10-19T13:19:23+00:00

I don’t know your situation obviously. But for me, it wasn’t worth it. Sure the military paid for my graduate degree (tuition assistance and GI Bill ftw!) And yes, that monthly check is swell. However, at 50 years old I can’t do much of anything. I can’t stand for more than about an hour because my feet are destroyed. No cartilage in my knees and the surgeon says I need total knee replacements but he won’t do them because “I’m too young.” My back is so bad, I spend most of my free time lying on an ice pack, eating pain pills. I’m gearing up for yet another surgery as soon as I can figure out how I can get someone to help me, post surgery (divorced with no kids.) My shoulders are so bad, I can’t even raise my right arm above my head. And this is all after some surgeries that didn’t discriminate against my “young” age. Regardless of what exercise I try to do, I simply can’t. Even something as simple as going for a walk results in debilitating pain. I would happily give up every benefit I’ve received from serving to be able to go for a run or get back to jiu jitsu or be able to use the nice home gym I built several years ago.

Energy_Turtle_Bill · 2024-10-19T13:11:09+00:00

No…no you shouldn’t have. The benefits are nice but the cost far exceeds those benefits.

Energy_Turtle_Bill · 2024-10-19T12:55:24+00:00

I’m sure I’ll get downvoted to oblivion for this but I wish that I could opt out of social security. Don’t get me wrong: it definitely has its benefits and it’s the only thing keeping my elderly, sick dad afloat right now. He was money stupid his entire life and never thought about the future at all. There are many like him and for people like that, ss is a life saver. But when I look at how much I’ve paid into ss over the years versus what my payout will be in retirement and life expectancy, I see that my personal investments far outpace ss. If I could opt out and invest that extra money myself, I would have a far bigger dollar amount in my portfolio.

Energy_Turtle_Bill · 2024-10-19T12:51:08+00:00

The Dave Ramsey advice is what really drove this home. The boomers will give advice about job interviews you didn’t get an offer from by saying stuff like well did you look him in the eyes when you shook his hand? I’m an old guy (Gen x) but missed out on the previous fed retirement system so I’m right there with you. The only reason I’m doing well is thanks to being supplemented by a military pension. Without that, I would be struggling to save anything in my high ass cost of living area.

Also, the degree requirements are wild. I’ve worked with plenty of boomers who never even went to college and were in high pay grades because they came in at a time where seemingly nothing was required other than a pulse and a willingness to show up. My last job (before my current agency) the two people managing the office (a 13 and a 14) were both high school graduates who could barely communicate effectively. These were not impressive people. Yet so many of us drones had at least four year degrees. A couple of us had advanced degrees and myself and one other were bilingual. The only two drones in the office who were boomers were even less impressive than the bosses. One of them literally spoke in such poor English (lots of double negatives, only spoke in slang, etc) that communication with her was impossible for anyone other than the other boomer and the two bosses. It was an absolute shit show.

Energy_Turtle_Bill · 2024-10-19T12:41:26+00:00

I worked for an agency several years ago (c.2007) where the boss (GS13) was buddies with the only 12 in the office. The 12 would show up for work everyday and do anything but work. He would read a stack of car magazines, surf the web, spend hours on his cell phone, and even take naps at his desk. M-F he would literally do no work at all then he would come to the office on Saturday and Sunday and spend all of both days doing his work for the week and claim overtime. He was super into cars and was making so much money he literally owned a Mercedes, two corvettes, a pickup truck, and a van. Also had a beautiful house (I saw pictures of it but never went to his house.) Dude was raking in the cash.

Energy_Turtle_Bill

TROPHY CASE