Disability question

[sylvi]

In a few months I'll be 56 and eligible to retire from my federal job with 32 years creditable service. From what I understand, in addition to my FERS annuity I'll also be able to collect something called a Social Security Supplemental equal to roughly 80% of what I'd collect under regular SS at age 62.

I'd like to be able to work a few more years because of the financial needs of my family, but I believe I have something called chronic venous insufficiency that causes my lower legs and feet to swell grotesquely (my own diagnosis as a nurse, I've been putting off seeing a doctor about it) and I'm afraid it may cause more damage to my legs if I continue working on my feet in my present profession much longer.

My question is this: If I were to qualify for disability, would collecting it affect my retirement pay or the Social Security Supplemental? Could I collect the disability in addition to all that? Or would I be better off from a total income aspect just to claim the supplemental and my FERS retirement? If I do elect to try to qualify for disability, should I wait until after I have retired from federal service and have started collecting those retirement monies or should I do it now while I'm still working? I had planned that, even if I did retire, I'd try to work a couple of days a week for a private agency. Could I collect disability and still do that?

I know that's a lot of questions and the answers may be complicated. I just wanted to check in here perhaps with some folks who have experience in these matters before I started an "official" process with people who may or may not have my best interests in mind. I can provide a little more information if it's needed. Thanks in advance.