Name:   MartiniMan - Subject:   FERS provides disability insurance Date:   1/21/2019 1:19:45 PM

Their disability program is pretty typical, at least based on what I've seen in the private sector.  My company used to pay the disability insurance premium for our employees but changed that when we learned that the payments would be taxable.  We grossed up their salaries and had them pay it so ti wuldn't be taxed if they needed it.  It already stinks needing disability and only getting 60% of your wages.  Even worse when that lesser amount is taxed.  The smart govt employees would get a personal disability policy as well.  

In some ways I sympathize with the employees but the reality is that this is always extra paid vacation.  My wife was with EPA when the long closure happened and they told the employees they would be paid back pay when the shutdown ended.  Frankly, if I worked for the govt I would make sure I had enough savings to cover a shutdown.  To do otherwise is not very wise.