Every employee looks forward to the day they can finally retire and look back on all of their years of hard work and dedication with pride. Unfortunately, things do not always go as planned. Many employees are injured on the job before they have the chance to fulfill their career hopes and dreams. As an injured worker who is nearing the end of your career, you may be concerned that retiring will put an end to your workers’ compensation benefits. This is partly true.
Following a workplace injury, employees are entitled to compensation for their medical expenses and nothing more. Workers’ compensation disability benefits are meant as a financial safety net for permanently injured employees and do not extend beyond retirement. Once you voluntarily decide to pull yourself out of the workforce, you are no longer eligible to collect these benefits. However, if the injury has rendered you incapable of continuing your line of work, your sustained need for benefits can be strongly argued for. It is also important to note that accepting a pension does not automatically mean you voluntarily retired, and it is up to your employer to prove otherwise.
What About Social Security?
Any income you receive from pension benefits can lower or offset your workers’ compensation benefits on a pension through your employer. Ultimately, the decision to retire is a personal one. The way it will affect your social security benefits or other financial prospects depends on the specifics of your particular situation.
Skilled Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Effectively Advocating on Your Behalf
At the Law Offices of Wax & Wax, we are committed to helping you make the right decisions and offering top strategies to deliver the results you deserve. Our legal team is endlessly dedicated to providing sound legal advice for injured workers in need of excellent guidance.
Don’t hesitate to get started on fighting for your rights. Call us today at (818) 946-0608.