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Printing - FECA-PT2 - National Association of Letter Carriers

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2-1300-2 Authority<br />

2. Authority. Section 8135(a) provides that the liability <strong>of</strong> the United States for compensation to a<br />

beneficiary in the case <strong>of</strong> death or <strong>of</strong> permanent total or permanent partial disability may be discharged by<br />

a lump-sum payment equal to the present value <strong>of</strong> all future payments <strong>of</strong> compensation computed at four<br />

percent true discount compounded annually. A lump-sum payment may not be made, however, unless:<br />

(a) compensation to the beneficiary is less than $50 a month; or b) the beneficiary is or is about to<br />

become a non-resident <strong>of</strong> the United States; or c) the Secretary <strong>of</strong> Labor determines that it is for the best<br />

interest <strong>of</strong> the beneficiary.<br />

However, in the revised regulations (originally published as 20 C.F.R § 10.311 and effective September<br />

10, 1992), the Secretary determined, in the exercise <strong>of</strong> discretion afforded under section 8135(a), that<br />

lump-sum payments <strong>of</strong> wage-loss compensation will no longer be made. Thus, compensation which is<br />

based on loss <strong>of</strong> wages will be paid in periodic payments only. The implementing regulation, now found at<br />

20 C.F.R. § 10.422(a), provides:<br />

(a) In exercise <strong>of</strong> the discretion afforded by section 5 U.S.C. 8135(a), OWCP has determined that<br />

lump-sum payments will not be made to persons entitled to wage-loss benefits (that is, those<br />

payable under 5 U.S.C. 8105 and 8106). Therefore, when OWCP receives requests for lump-sum<br />

payments for wage-loss benefits, OWCP will not exercise further discretion in the matter. This<br />

determination is based on several factors, including:<br />

(i) The purpose <strong>of</strong> the <strong>FECA</strong>, which is to replace lost wages;<br />

(ii) The prudence <strong>of</strong> providing wage-loss benefits on a regular, recurring basis; and<br />

(iii) The high cost associated with the long-term borrowing that is needed to pay out large lump<br />

sums.<br />

However, a lump-sum payment may be made to an employee entitled to a schedule award under 5 U.S.C.<br />

8107 where OWCP determines that such a payment is in the employee’s best interest. Lump-sum<br />

payments <strong>of</strong> schedule awards generally will be considered in the employee’s best interest only where the<br />

employee does not rely upon compensation payments as a substitute for lost wages (that is, the employee<br />

is working or is receiving annuity payments). An employee possesses no absolute right to a lump-sum<br />

payment <strong>of</strong> benefits payable under 5 U.S.C.8107.<br />

It should be noted that upon remarriage prior to age 55, a widow or widower entitled to compensation<br />

under section 8133 shall be paid in accordance with section 8135(b) <strong>of</strong> the <strong>FECA</strong>. See details in paragraph<br />

3(c) below.<br />

<strong>FECA</strong>-<strong>PT2</strong> Printed: 06/08/2010 592

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