Q: As a federal firefighter covered under the Federal Employees Retirement System, I have to retire at age 57. I have been told that that under FERS, we get a Social Security supplement and as such we are limited in what we can earn after retirement. Is this true? I know that when one retires and draws Social Security, one is limited to $14,160 per year in earnings from other sources. Is this the case when we are forced to retire at 57?
A: Yes, it is. In 2010, if you were to earn more than $14,160 from wages or self-employment, your retirement supplement would be reduced by $1 for every $2 you earned above that limit. There aren’t any exceptions to that rule.
