OPM.gov / Retirement / faq / Disability Earnings Survey

# Learn more about the Disability Earnings Survey

FAQs and answers about the Disability Earnings Survey.

## Questions and answers

###                                             Where can I locate the Disability Earnings Survey on Services Online?                                        

Use the following link www.servicesonline.opm.gov/ to access SOL. Within SOL, during the survey period, a link to the survey will be located at the bottom of the main Menu options. (See figure.)

###                                             Is there an alternative way to submit my 2022 earnings other than through Services Online?                                        

You must submit your 2022 earnings through SOL unless you have an assigned Representative Payee, Organizational Payee, or Court Appointed Guardian or Conservator to manage your benefits.

###                                             I did not have any earned income in 2022. Do I need to complete and submit the Disability Earnings Survey?                                        

Yes, please complete the survey and place all zeros in the Reporting Earnings field.

###                                             What does the term "Earned Income" Mean?                                        

"Earned Income" means:
                      - Any salary or pay you received working for someone else (including overtime, vacation pay, bonuses, and severance pay, etc.);
                      - If you are self-employed, any self-employment net earnings made from working or managing your own business;
                      - Deferred income (income you earned but didn't receive during this calendar year); and
                      - If you are re-employed in Federal service, the gross income before your employing agency offsets your salary.

Generally, all income subject to Federal Employment taxes or self-employment net profit is considered earned income. Work wages are on any W-2 statement issued by an employer.

Do not include any money earned before retirement.

###                                             What is not considered earned income?                                        

The following income is not considered earned income - Income reported on form 1099 such as Civil Service Retirement benefits, annuities, pensions, Social Security benefits, Veteran's benefits, and military retired pay, withdrawals from 401K plans, unemployment compensation, workers' compensation, interest and dividends from savings accounts, stocks, personal loans, or home mortgages held, insurance proceeds, gifts, inheritances, estates, trusts, endowments, prizes, awards, gambling or lottery winnings, alimony/child support, scholarships or fellowships, pay for jury duty, capital gains from the sale of personal property, amounts received in court actions, and rents or royalties unless received in the course of your trade or business.

###                                             Will I receive a confirmation after I submit my earnings to the Disability Earnings Survey on Services Online?                                         

You will receive a confirmation email within 24 hours of your successful submission of your earnings. You will also be able to confirm that you submitted your survey through the “Transaction History” option in your SOL menu.

###                                             How long do I have to submit my work earnings in Services Online?                                        

You can submit your reported work earnings via Services Online through June 30, 2023.

###                                             I am a retiree receiving disability benefits and I have learned that Services Online account has been suspended when I try to link my account to login.gov. How do I unlock my account?                                        

On the account linking screen, first try to reset your Services Online password using the automated password reset process. It that is unsuccessful, please contact the Retirement Information Office toll free at 1-888-767-6738 (Mon-Fri from 7:40 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., Eastern Standard Time). If you encounter problems with your login.gov credentials, please call 1-844-875-6446 or send an email through www.login.gov/contact/ stating your access problem.

###                                             If I submitted the wrong reported earnings on the Disability Earnings Survey on Services Online, can I resubmit my earnings again through Services Online?                                        

No, you must request and complete a paper 2022 DES form and mail it back to OPM for processing. Please contact the Retirement Information Office at 1-888-767-6738 (Mon – Fri, 7:40 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET) for a copy of the form.

###                                             Why was my disability annuity suspended by the Retirement Surveys and Students Branch?                                        

If the 2022 disability earnings survey reminder notice is returned to Retirement Services as undeliverable, and the last update to the mailing address on record was on or prior to January 3, 2023, then the annuity is suspended. If the mailing address on record was updated on or after January 4, 2023, then the survey will be remailed to the updated address; if the remailed survey is again returned to Retirement Services as undeliverable, the annuity is suspended.

###                                             What do I need to do to restore my annuity if suspended?                                        

Please contact the Retirement Information Office at 1-888-767-6738 so that you may be directed to the appropriate Retirement Services specialist to confirm the current mailing address, request a new Disability Earnings Survey to be mailed, and get the annuity restored.

###                                             Do I have to report my retirement benefits on the survey?                                        

No, do not report your retirement benefits. You must report your gross work earnings and/or your self-employment net earnings.

###                                             I only received unemployment compensation workers compensation, and/or withdrew money from my TSP or 401K plan. Is this considered earned income?                                        

No, unemployment compensation, workers compensation, and TSP or 401K disbursements are not considered earned income.

###                                             I only received federal disability retirement and Social Security benefits as income in 2022.  Is this considered earned income?                                        

No, this is not considered earned income. For Representative or Organizational Payees and Guardians or Conservators, an explanation can be found on the back of the mailed “Annuitant’s Report of Earned Income for 2022” (RI 30-2).

###                                             I received earned income before the effective date of my disability retirement. Is this considered earned income?                                        

No, income earned before the effective date of your disability retirement does not count as earned income.

###                                             I received a "restored to earning capacity" termination letter. How do I apply for reinstatement of my disability annuity?                                        

Your disability annuity was terminated because your reported earned income for 2022 met or exceeded your 80% restored to earning capacity limit. If you believe your 2023 earned income is below your 80% restored to earning capacity limit, fax a letter of request for a restoration of disability annuity package to (202) 606-0022 with an ATTENTION to: Retirement Surveys and Students-Request for DES Restoration. Please also include your completed 2023 Tax Return with all associated W-2s.

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##                                         A claim number is required to make a help submission.                                    

                                            If you are an annuitant, you can find your CSA or CSF claim number on your 1099-R, your annual COLA notice or your Benefits Booklet.                                        

                                            If you are unable to locate your CSA or CSF claim number, or you are not a retiree, former spouse of a retiree or a survivor of a retiree, or you are inquiring about the status of a refund application, please contact us on                                        

                                            1-888-767-6738 and one of our representatives will be able to assist you.                                        

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## Contact us for more support

### Report a Death

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### **                                        Call us                                    

Call us if you can't find an answer to your question on OPM.gov or if you can't sign in to OPM Retirement Services Online to manage your annuity account. You may also need to call us for special or complex cases, or because we directed you to.

**Phone:**1-888-767-6738TTY: 711

**Hours:** Monday thru Friday, 7:40 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ETClosed on federal holidays

Our busiest time is between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. ET.

### **Write to us                                    

Please make sure your first and last name, phone number, email address, claim number, and signature are included in any inquiries or documents you mail to us. We usually respond within 1 to 3 weeks after we receive your mail.

**Retirement Operations Center**                                        U.S. Office of Personnel Management                                        Post Office Box 45                                        Boyers, PA 16017                                    

### **Visit us in person                                    

**Retirement Services Support Center**                                        U.S. Office of Personnel Management                                        1900 E. Street, NWRoom 1323                                        Washington, DC 20415Directions**

**Hours:** Monday thru Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to                                        4:00 p.m. ET                                        Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET                                        Closed on federal holidays                                    

### **Fax us documents                                    

OPM Retirement Services does not have a main fax number.

You should only fax us documents if an official OPM form or one of our Customer Service Specialists asks you to (the fax number will be provided on the form, or the Customer Service Specialist will provide you one.) Otherwise, you should mail us your documents.