Q: I was drafted in January 1966 spent 1967 in Vietnam. I have been a civil servant with the Defense Department since April 1985. I’m 63 and would like to retire in the next 3 years. To have the 18 months of my Vietnam service added to my retirement, I have to pay back with interest the money I made during those 18 months. Why does the government hate me so much for going to Vietnam, that they would want all their money paid back with interest?
A: For Federal Employees Retirement System employees, there are no exceptions to the rule that a deposit plus accrued interest must be paid to the retirement system to get credit for any time for which an employee hasn’t contributed to the retirement system.
— Reg Jones
