Q. I was active-duty military (Title 10) from 1987 to 1999. I became a military technician in 1999 under FERS and am currently still buying back those 11 years of active duty. I recently took an AGR (Title 32) position with the National Guard after 10 years of federal service as a military technician. At age 56 I intend to retire with 20 years of active duty as an AGR. This coincides with my federal MRA+10 (age 56 years). Can I collect a FERS retirement and a military retirement? Is there a particular strategy I should employ with these two retirements? i.e. submit MRA+10 retirement after or before AD retirement?or should I terminate my military deposit now because I cannot draw both and cannot get my military deposit back?
A. You can collect both your military retired pay and your FERS annuity without a reduction in either. If you complete that deposit for your active-duty service, you’ll get credit for that time in determining your creditable service and in your FERS annuity calculation. If you don’t complete the deposit, you won’t get any credit for that time, and you won’t be able to get a refund of what you did deposit until you separate from your civilian job or retire from it.
114 Comments
Sir, I joined the ANG in 1985 and started as a Technician and into the FERS as a full time employee in 1989. I worked as a technician from 1989 to 1997 when I was hired as an AGR. I was told by HRO to sell my FERS annuity and stupidly I did. I then went into a AGR position and just retired from the ANG with my active duty retirement. I am collecting my pension and just recently got hired by the Veterans Administration. I was told that a new law went into affect in 2010 allowing and individual to buy back their FERS if they sold it in the past. I had about 9 1/2 years federal and plan on buying this back. My question to you is can I buy back any of my AGR time or title 10 time that I performed while in the ANG and not have to waive my active duty pension that I am now collecting. Thank you for your time. Kevin
Yes, you can make a deposit to get credit for those refunded years of FERS service. While you could make a deposit to get credit for your active duty service, at retirement you would have to waive your military retired pay.
Can I buy back federal retirement (FERS) with title 32 activations? I will be on title 32 orders for 6 months or longer and wanted to see if I can still get time in service towards my federal retirement and I can still buy back…
If you return to your civilian job, you can make a deposit to get credit for your active duty service.
What about Title 32 time before starting employment as a technician (I’m 10 years part-time ANG with numerous Title 32 orders)? I am being told that my Title 32 time is not creditable for leave accrual and not eligible for buy-back? It appears there may be a Title 10 limitation for creditable “active-duty” time concerning leave accrual.
According to OPM, “Service performed in the militia or National Guard has never been considered military service, unless the individual was called or drafted into the actual service of the United States.” Therefore, no credit can be given for leave accrual nor may you make a deposit to get credit for that time.
I attended flight school as a Warrant Officer in the Army National Guard under Title 32 orders. The orders under which Guard Members attend flight school is a function of funding available in a given fiscal year. The school was nearly two years in length and involved a PCS move both ways. Fort Rucker’s flight school makes no distinction between Guard and active duty as to curriculum or expectations of its students. You mentioned “service of the United States”. Is there any exception in this case in which I could buy back these two years?
I’m not aware of any exception to that rule. However, to be sure, you can ask your agency’s personnel office to check with OPM.
you can only buy back Title 32 time if you were previously a technician and did not resign your position. Only title 10 time can be bought and applied to federal credit to adjust SCD.
Thanks for your clarification.
WHY ???? not before. I was ADSW Active Duty Special Work with Counter Drug for 8 years before becoming a technician, full time job not school. What’s the difference, People apply for those T32 jobs in between tech service there not ordered.
So let me see if I understand this: I served in the military for 18 years, 16 of those years were AGR Title 32, I cannot buy back those Active Duty years because they don’t consider it to be credited years? So, not only am I not getting a retirement for the 18 years of service I served, I also cannot use those 18 years of service toward my retirement from my current federal service. WOW!
If those two years of active duty service were with the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard, you can make a deposit to get credit for that time.
I was active duty from 1984 to 1990. I bought back my time. I became a title 32 technician January 1992, I was medically separated in March of 2009. My minimum retirement age was 56 1/2, had I been allowed to stay on as a dual status technician. I am currently going to school and in the future may seek employment that may restore me to earning capacity. If this happens would I qualify for any other retirements.
Unfortunately, we aren’t able to answer your question.
I have a question regarding retirement. I am a Reservist and plan to retire in the Reserves and I currently work for Veteran Affairs as a Federal employee and plan to retire from there as well. In that case will I be able to receive retirement from both simultaneously?
You will be entitled to receive both retirement benefits.
I have 25 yrs title 32:technician and am eligible to retire from ANG at 58! Due to reduced retirement for time deployed title 10 active duty…if I retire military can I also retire technician without penalty or do I have to wait till age 60
Because this is a site for federal civilian employees, I’m not qualified to answer your question.
Similar but related question: I am currently an Air Force AGR closing on a 20-year AGR retirement (~15 years of AD before I became a reservist), as well as a GS on LWOP while on Military Duty (I served about 3 years as a TR and a GS simultaneously before picking up the AGR position). Is there a way to collect my full-time AGR retirement, as well as buy my AD time into FERS and collect a second pension there later on once I retire for a second time? If so, what are the process and applicable regs.
I don’t know. However, you may find part of the answer you’re looking for in a benefits administration letter located at https://www.opm.gov/retirement-services/publications-forms/benefits-administration-letters/1995/95-101.pdf
You can only buy back Title 10 active duty time during guard or reserve time served. If your AGR status orders were Title 32 502f (or several of the 500 series) by the Authority of the Governor and not the President, then no, you cannot buy that time back. And it doesn’t matter that we were paid by the federal gov’t as an AGR.
I was just given clarification by my HR with the forest service. So out of the 10 years I served, I can only buy-back 3 of my years.
This is pretty sad….
Thanks for sharing this with us.
Yvette…. Have you already retired from the Forest Service? I am not sure what you have to show for your AGR time, but if it’s recorded on a DD-214 that is the only other exception to being able to buy you AGR time and it bei g creditable towards FERS, and likely CERS as well.
I was active duty Army for 4 years, before transferring to the Army National Guard (title 32). I now work for the VA and the National Guard, and am buying back my 4 years of Active Duty towards my FERS retirement. When I retire from Federal civil service, and complete 20+ years in the National Guard, will I be able to collect both a FERS retirement and a military Title 32 pension? Will the 4 years of active service I bought back, also count towards my retirement points for Title 32 military pension (obviously significant at 1,460 retirement points for the NG)?
Yes, in both cases.
I am now receiving a 50% J&S annuity as a former spouse and I am sharing the cost to fund the annuity wih my ex-husband. He now wants me to pay all the costs to fund the annuity. The FERS annuity has been in pay status for 17 months. Can he have the DRO modified to do this?
We aren’t qualified to answer questions about benefit entitlements in a divorce. You’ll yhave to consult an attorney.
I was active duty Army for 4 years, before transferring to the Army National Guard (title 32). I now work for the VA and the National Guard, and am buying back my 4 years of Active Duty towards my FERS retirement. When I retire from Federal civil service and complte 20+ years in the National Guard, I know will be eligible to collect both a FERS retireent and a military Title 32 pension.
However, if I transferred from the National Guard to the Army Reserve before I retire (to take on a diffent military role for instance) – would I still be eligible to collect my Federal civil service pension and my full military pension after 20+ years of military service?
Transferring to the Army Reserve would have no affect on your entitlement to both benefits.
I attended Basic Training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO in 1984 upon enlisting in the NE Army National Guard. The following summer (1985) I completed my split option training (AIT) at Fort Jackson, SC while still in the NE Army National Guard. Upon taking a commission in 1988 I transferred to a US Army Reserve Unit and completed the MIOBC course (6 months) at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. I am nearing mandatory retirement as an 1811 with the US Department of Justice. Although some of my active duty time was credited, I am curious if my Active Duty for Training (Basic and AIT) while with the NE Army National Guard is eligible for credit as well under Title 10.
Not that I’m aware. However, to be sure have your personnel office check with OPM.
Hello,
I was active duty Air Force for six years. After that I went AGR with the North Dakota Air National Guard as title 32 for three years. I am thinking of taking an AGR job with the Air Force Reserves which would put me under title 10. I was told that my time with the Air National Guard would not count towards my 20 year retirement since it was under state title 32. IS there any truth to this? If so, is there maybe a loop hole so my time AGR time with Air Guard would count?
Thanks,
Chris
Yes, that’s a fact. No, there isn’t any loop hole.
Hello –
I am currently retired civil service CSR title 32 and retired ANG as well receiving retirement pay. The guard has now instituted the Title 5 program Can I apply for a title 5 job and still collect my Title 32 Civil Service Retirement (CSR program not FERS)?
We’re not aware of anything that would prevent you from collecting your Title 32 benefit.
I have been in the active duty Navy for 13 years and I am thinking of applying for an Air National Guard (title 32) position. If I work in the title 32 position for 7 more years, which would put me at 20 years military time, would I fall under the reserve retirement plan or the active duty retirement plan?
Because this is a site for federal civilian employees and retirees, we’re aren’t able to answer questions about military benefits.
I am currently on LWOP/ Absent US as a title 32 AGR. It is my understanding that you can buy back up to 5 years of title 32 AGR service while under Absent US. I have two questions to ask;
1. If I decide to stay in the AGR program after 5 years of absent US, am I still eligible to buy that time back?
2. How long do I have to do this?
Because we are only able to answer questions about federal civilian employee and retirement benefits, we aren’t able to answer yours.
Mr. Jones,
I get differing opinions and would like to see if you possibly have a definitive answer. I am a title 32 dual status technician and I have bought back my 11 years of active Air Force time, thus I currently have 33 years of civil service under FERS. I also have 33 “good years” as an drill status guardsmen. My question is: If I retire from my military position, would I be eligible under OPM rules to receive discontinued service retirement (DSR) under FERS, because as a result of my military retirement I would no longer be eligible to hold my civil service position and would be removed. I am 53 with 30 years of federal civil service. I have several friends who were in same position as title 10 dual status reservists, who have received DSR, and hoping same rules apply!
Yes, you would be eligible for discontinued service retirement.
Mr. Jones,
Just to follow up/clarify. I am voluntarily retiring, and my Agency (Florida Air National Guard HR) is adamant that I will not be eligible for DSR, even though they will remove me from my civilian position. They state THEY determine whether I will get a DSR and they will include that statement to OPM in my package. Does my voluntarily retiring affect my eligibility for DSR? I could see if I just separated, but I am retiring. Any help would be appreciated, is there some reference material I could review? Thanks for being here to answer questions, I have telephoned OPM twice, and they have given me an address to write to in Pennsylvania, but said it could take weeks or longer to get a response
I just got hired as a federal technician in the ANG. I’ve been a guard bum for the past 11 years. What counts for the technician active duty buy back program? Is it title 10 only, or does my title 32 count as well. If it’s title 10 I have just shy of 2 years (this is what the post 9/11 counted), but if it’s my active duty days from my point summary title 10/32 orders I have almost 5 years, if it’s the retirement points from the guard I have closer to 8 years. As this is quite the large difference I was wondering if anyone had some knowledge to share on this, I’m a bit lost.
Any light to shed on this?
Unfortunately, we can’t help you. We are only able to answer questions about federal civilian employment under Title 5.
Served in the AGR program for 19+ years was medically retired, now working in State government, can I get any type of credit towards another retirement? Since Title 32 is governed by the State
Not that I’m aware of.
Ok, so I cannot buy my time? since the AGR program is Title 32?
I’m a state civil servant with 20 years in. I’m also retired from the Air National Guard (traditional Guardsman), 11 years of which were active duty Air Force. I’m currently drawing my military pension. I would like to purchase 5 years of military service toward my civil service time, but I’m not sure I’m eligible. All the information I read is confusing, but I get the impression that my National Guard time may not be considered eligible. Can you let me know in layman’s terms if my active duty time is eligible, and would I have to forfeit my military pension?
Unfortunately, we can;t answer your question. We are only qualified to answer questions about federal civilian employment, retirement and survivor benefits.
Mr. Jones,
You answered my query dated Nov 5, 2017 with a definitive yes for my eligibility for DSR (original text and response Included below). Just to follow up/clarify. I am voluntarily retiring from military service with 33 years, and my Air National Guard Agency is adamant that I will not be eligible for DSR, even though are removing me from my civilian position. They state THEY determine whether I will get a DSR and they will include that statement to OPM in my package. Does my voluntarily retiring affect my eligibility for DSR? I could see if I just separated, but I am retiring. Any help would be appreciated, is there some reference material I could review? Thanks for being here to answer questions, I have telephoned OPM twice, and they have given me an address to write to in Boyers Pennsylvania, but I have not received a response yet.
Original query and response:
JIM on NOVEMBER 5, 2017 2:02 PM
Mr. Jones,
I get differing opinions and would like to see if you possibly have a definitive answer. I am a title 32 dual status technician and I have bought back my 11 years of active Air Force time, thus I currently have 33 years of civil service under FERS. I also have 33 “good years” as an drill status guardsmen. My question is: If I retire from my military position, would I be eligible under OPM rules to receive discontinued service retirement (DSR) under FERS, because as a result of my military retirement I would no longer be eligible to hold my civil service position and would be removed. I am 53 with 30 years of federal civil service. I have several friends who were in same position as title 10 dual status reservists, who have received DSR, and hoping same rules apply!
REPLY
REG JONES on NOVEMBER 5, 2017 6:31 PM
Yes, you would be eligible for discontinued service retirement.
What controls is whether you are involuntarily separated or leave voluntarily. I misunderstood the situation and gave you the wrong advice. What your agency told you is correct.
“Reserve or national guard members under Title 32 can collect both a federal civil service retirement and a reserve or national guard retirement.”
Does that mean that NG Title 32 soldiers that made 20 years in NG Title 32 (Mil retirement) that currently working for Fed Job about 2 years can buy their 20 years NG time and can receive 2 separate retirements?
The rules governing credit for National Guard service at https://www.opm.gov/retirement-services/publications-forms/benefits-administration-letters/1995/95-101.pdf
I retired as an AGR (20 year immediate annuity title 32 CAANG). I retired civil service (title 5) at age 59 1/2 assured that my 34 years (17 years title 32 and title 5) and 17 years pure civil service time counted for civil service annuity retirement. Once OPM adjudicated I had $18k overpayment and only credited for only civil service time. OPM states I have to prove I retired USC 10 1223. My order says USC 10 8911 on service USC 10 sec 1405. As a title 32 AGR did my orders get published correctly? What USC do title 32 Guardsman retire from? How does one gain access to return money I put in for buy back? Also, because I thought I had 34 years service but only half I was penalized 12 1/2 percent for retiring early — did not go to 62 years old. 17 years military buy back was for title 10 active duty.
Yes, you will have to prove that you retired under USC 10 1223. You’ll have to check with your former employer’s personnel office to find out why another section of the code was used than the one you need to have that time credited to your civilian service. If your agency was correct, only then should you ask for a refund of your “buy back” money. You can do that by writing to OPM’s Retirement Operations Center, Boyers, PA 16017-0045, ATTN: Military Deposit Refund.
Good Morning,
Here is my situation, 12.5 AD, Separated in 2013.
Joined the ART System(DOD) in 2014 and Currently work for NOAA (Dep of Commerce)
AD time= 12.5
AF Reserves = 4 Years
Federal = 4 Years
I have approx 4 years left to complete 20 in the Military system, and 16 years left to complete 20 in the Federal System.
What happens if i buy back my 12.5 years of AD? do i forfeit my military Retirement? or can i buy back those years and collect both Mil and Civilian? Thank you
If you will be receiving reserve retired pay, you can receive both it and your civilian annuity with no reduction in either. If you will be receiving military retired pay, you’d have to waive that pay to receive credit for that time in your civilian annuity. Note: in either case, you’d have to make a deposit to the civilian retirement system, plus accrued interest, to get credit for that time.
Disregard the above question i believe i understand it now, Basically its now a numbers game and i need to figure out which one benefits me. I’m Only 37 with 3 years left to Retire form the AF Reserves and 4 Years into the Federal system. Thank you for your quick response!
Am I correct in assuming that a full-time AGR (Reserve) retirement (pays full pension after 20+ years, immediately on retirement) is functionally the same as a regular full time retirement when it comes to buy-back/concurrent receipt? i.e. even though it is a reserve retirement, it’s full time nature means it would have to be waived if I want to buy it back into the civilian system?
Correct.
I was a Title 32 Technician with the Wisconsin ANG from 2000-2013, in 2008 I took a 5 year AGR tour and was non-retained in May of 2013. Here’s the catch, I was not removed from the technician slot until September of 2013 so technically I had an AGR tour sandwiched between my technician time….Does that AGR time count as time I can buy back for a FERS retirement?
I was told if under those circumstances it could be bought back and I used to have a regulatory reference to it but it has since been misplaced.
I have orders, SF-51s, DD-214s as proof
To find an answer, start at this DFAS site: https://www.dfas.mil/civilianemployees/militaryservice/militaryservicedeposits.html
I started out as title 10 active duty (3 yrs) went in to the National Guard traditional M-day (11 yrs) became a FERS dual status technician in 2008. I have bought all my active time back which makes my SCD date August on 2003. I am currently on a AGR tour and have an opportunity to retire with 20 yrs active service in 7 yrs. Can I collect my active retirement and find a follow on FERS job (Post office-Customs Border Ageny) work there and then collect that retirement also?
Yes.
Mr. Jones,
I joined the Army reserves in 1978. I served 36+ years, retiring in 2015 (I start drawing retirement in 2020 at age 59 due to a deployment in 2009/10). I also started as a federal civilian employee under fers in 2003, and terminated employment in 2015 because of a dual status requirement (I retired from the USAR). Can I draw my full deffered retirement amount from fers while concurrently drawing full reserve retirement pay?
The fact you are receiving reserve retired pay would have no affect on your entitlement to a deferred retirement based on your years of FERS service.
30 yrs. National Guard, 25 yrs. full time technician. Deployed to tax free combat zone, got injured and now in process for MEB. Should be 100% VA rating. Currently still on active duty MEDCON orders receiving treatment. Can you tell me where my income will come from once I am medically retired?
Unfortunately, no. We are only able to answer questions about federal civilian employee and retiree benefits.
If his Civilian ART employment is terminated once he is medically retired from the Guard, I believe he should be eligible for FERS Discontinued Service Retirement. That is one of the reasons listed under Involuntary Separation of the CSRS-FERS Handbook, Chapter 44, Discontinued Service Retirements, Section 44A1.1-2 Definitions
“Separation of a National Guard technician because of loss of military membership or the rank required to hold the National Guard position.”
His Agency will need to process this for him. So he would receive his FERS Annuity, in addition to whatever he gets from the National Guard and V.A., and Social Security.
I was active duty from 1984 to 1992. Employed by the department of justice in 1993 until 2016. ( bought back my military Active service and had it applied towards my OPM retirement). In 2001 I joined the Guard. Currently my commander wants to place me on AGR orders. Question is this authorized? I called OPM they said yes, the Guard needs proof, can you direct me to the policy.
Since you are retired, you are free to do whatever you want. Accepting another job or being called to active duty would have no affect on your civilian annuity. However, because you were covered by FERS, if your AGR pay exceeds the annual Social Security earnings limit, your special retirement supplement will be reduced or eliminated.
Thank you for responding. Is there a certain policy that I may refer the Colorado Air National Guard to as they need some sort of policy for AGR orders.
As I said before, once you receive an annuity it is yours for life. The only circumstances under which an annuity can be terminated are found in 5 U.S. Code 8312 through 8315. These involve absence from the United States to avoid prosecution, refusal to testify and falsifying employment applications.
Does time as a competitive civil service FERS employee (i.e., not as a technician) count towards a National Guard technician retirement? I have seen language to the effect that employment under Title 5 does not count for a Title 32 technician (not AGR) retirement, but I’m unclear as to whether this applies only to Title 5 National Guard employees or to all civil service employees across the federal government.
No. Time spent as a non-technician FERS employee does not count toward a National Guard technician retirement.
Good afternoon Mr. Jones,
I was active duty Navy from 1979 – 1983. I then worked for the NJARNG as a weekend warrior from 1985 – 1991. In 1987-1988 I worked for the same NJARNG unit as a state employee for approximately 8 months prior to accepting a position as an instructor AGR (Title 32) from 1988 – 1991 (in the same unit). I don’t remember much about the 8 month period – i.e. was I offered an opportunity to be rehired after the AGR tour etc.
I now work for the VA (11/18/2012 – present).
Q1: is my AGR Title 32 service considered eligible time for a military buy back in the FERS system?
Q2: If my time as a state employee is germane to Q1, can you point me in the right direction to begin researching this aspect?
Thank you so much for any help you can provide.
Honorable active duty service is always creditable for retirement purposes if you make a deposit for that time. Weekend duty isn’t, nor is employment by a state or local government.
Thank you Sir. Your response is greatly appreciated.
You’re welcome.
Reg,
I am a DOD civilian age 60. I spent 12 years on active duty as a USNR officer and was separated in 1996. I was recalled and stayed to complete 20 years, all as a reserve officer. I have been receiving retired pay since 2008.
I was told I could convert my active retirement to a reserve retirement by filling out a DD108 and DD2656 forms.
Am I able to buy back my military time for my civil service position and keep my military retirement?
If you are receiving reserve retired pay, you can make a deposit for your active duty service, get credit for that time in your civilian annuity computation, and continue to receive your reserve retired pay. If you are receiving military retired pay, you can make a deposit to get credit for that time in your civilian annuity computation; however, when you retire, you’d have to waive your military retired pay.
I currently work for the Department of Veteran Affairs, no longer in the military and no longer eligible to reenlist due to disability. I started as a technician and completed almost 3 years before taking an AGR position with no break in service between the two. I left the AGR program with a reinstatement eligibility of 5 years back to a technician position. I am now no longer in the military and have received credit for my technician service but they are not giving me credit for my military service as far as leave accrual. All I want is my time in the AGR Title 32 to be counted towards my leave computation date. Am I entitled to those years spent AGR towards my leave computation date.
The official word on which types of military service are creditable for leave accrual purposes is found at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/data-analysis-documentation/personnel-documentation/servicecreditleave.pdf. I looked at Subsection 1-6, Credit for Uniformed Service, and could find no mention of AGR service. Maybe you’ll be able to read between the lines and find an answer.
I have a question. I was active duty for 10 years and out for 15. I then join the ANG and was hired as a technician WG 10. I just bought back my active duty time. My unit is pushing technicians to go AGR and if I go AGR and finish my 20 years out. Can I receive both my FERS retirement and military retirement? I have read in some places that I would have to forfeit my FERS retirement for the military retirement. Is that true? It is very difficult to find anyone who knows the ins and outs of FERS retirements/ military buybacks and active duty retirements. Thanks in advance of any insight.
You would have a choice. You could either receive two retirements based solely on the amount of service you had in each retirement system or you could make a deposit to the civilian retirement system to cover any of that new active duty service, waive your military retired pay, and receive a civilian annuity based on all those years of service.
My husband was AGR Title 32 (National Guard AGR) on active duty not technician. He received a DD 214 with accumulate years of services of active duty; did not retire. He is currently a Department of Army Civilian and would like to buy back his active duty years he has 14 years. DFAS states that his time is creditable for repayment. Is he eligible to buy back his time for FERS retirement.
Yes.
Thanks for responding back. Can you provide me the regulation or publication for this approval. The only reason why I’m asking our CPAC here stayed that he is not eligible and I would like to provide them regulation or publication that governs this.
Just take a look at the DFAS page on military service deposits. It tells you exactly what to do, including what forms (with links) and where to submit them. After you get the amount needed to payback, you would submit the SF3108, Application to Make Service Credit Deposit (FERS) to OPM. CPAC isn’t really involved, and often gives erroneous information. https://www.dfas.mil/civilianemployees/militaryservice/militaryservicedeposits.html
Greetings, and thank you for the forum. There are a lot of questions about military service counting towards a federal civilian retirement. I would like to submit the opposite question. Can federal civilian service be counted towards a military retirement? Is there a buy-back program for people currently on active duty looking to buy in civilian time served to credit their military retirement service?
A lot of National Guard employees start as federal technicians and transition to AGR where they do relatively the same work. Is there a buy-back program to credit their years of federal service towards a military retirement? Thank you for your response.
There is no provision in law that would allow that.
I retired from the ANG, and I am already started collecting my pension from the guard. Currently I am working with the Social Security Administration. When I started working for the agency I was told that I can retire from the Guard and from the agency and be able to received both retirement pensions, as long as I paid the points for my years of active duty, which I have already. I looking to retire from my job with SSA in two years from now and I need to know if everything is as I was told years ago in order to plan ahead or find an alternative that will allow me to received both pensions, the one from the National Guard and the one from the Social Security Administration.
Everything you were told years ago is correct. Since you made a deposit for your active duty service, that time will be included when determining your years of civilian service and used in the computation of your annuity. Having made that deposit will have no affect on your ANG retired pay. As a result, you’ll be able to receive both benefits with no reduction in either.
Thanks, that is what I was told, but I wanted to double check since everything is changing lately.
You’re welcome.
Are dual status technicians (Title 32) eligible for VA medical benefits even if they do not meet the full-time active duty status (Title 10) VA benefit requirements?
Unfortunately, I’m only able to answer questions that fall under Title 5. You’ll have to check with the VA.
I am an 18 year employee of the DOJ, I am also a retiree from the military (active duty 1991-1996, this time has been bought back). I had another tour from 2004-2005, this time was bought back as well, my question is this, I was again ordered to active duty in 2007 for 77 days under title 32 orders. Dfas is telling me I can not request earnings for that time period because I was activated and served under title 32 orders therefore not allowing me to buy back the time. Is this correct?
Yes, it is correct.
Can I buy back any civilian time I worked after 1989? I worked as a temp for two federal agencies in 1990 ,1992 and 1993-1994. Any exceptions?
No, you can’t. And no there aren’t any that would apply in your case.
Can I buy back any of my military time (AGR Title 10 or 32 worked from 1986 to2007. I worked as Property Book. Any exceptions?
You can get credit for most periods when you are called to active duty in the service of the United States, with the exception of weekend drills or two-week periods of annual active duty service for training. In most cases you will have to make a deposit to the civilian retirement system to get credit for that time. Your local personnel office can help yu sort out which periods would be creditable and which would not.
I started in my FERS covered position in 2011 and bought back a combination of title 10 and 32 time. I was given credit for 13 years in total. In 2021 after a military national guard activation I retired title 10 USC 1405 with 20 years cumulative active service time. I have now returned to my FERS position and collect a military pension. Does this pension not allow me to keep the service credit I purchased years ago? If so how do I get the money back I paid for service credit prior to my scd.
Because you are receiving military retired pay, the only way you could get credit for your active duty service in your civilian annuity computation would be to waive that pay when you retire. If you aren’t planning to do that, you can ask for a refund of your active duty service deposit and have your civilian annuity based solely on your civilian service.
I was AGR title 32 National Guard when I was medically retired. In total I had 14.5 years of active duty (12 yrs T32 and 2.5 yrs T10). My agency has only credited me for the title 10 time. Buyback is also set up for only title 10 time. Is title 32 time creditable for leave SCD and retirement buyback if my retirement was a direct result of armed conflict and stated on my retirement orders as such? I understand OPM says “all active duty” is creditable for retirees in this category, but there is confusion if T32 National Guard active duty is considered in that. I have DD214’s for all of that time, and my retirement is based on all of that time. It’s crazy to think if that AGR time was for any other branch it would be counted.
Unfortunately, I don’t know enough about the crediting of National Guard service to help you. Perhaps one of our readers can do that.
Good afternoon,
I have been employed in Federal civilian service since 1997 and in 2009 I joined the Air National Guard. I was sent to technical school on Title 32 orders for retraining in 2010 and was at school from January 2010 until August 2010. The following is the line from my orders that states the type of service: TYPE OF DUTY / AUTHORITY: SCHOOL MILITARY STATUS (TITLE 32) 32 USC 503,
AFH 10-416 & ANGI 36-2001
This period of service interrupted my civilian service and I returned to my federal civilian position following the end of my orders with no lapse. I did use earned leave from my civilian position for approximately 2/3 of the time and was on military LWOP for the remaining portion. How will this effect my retirement and can I make a military service credit deposit for this period of title 32 orders?
Yes, you can make a deposit for that period of active duty service when you were on LWOP and get credit for that time in determining your length of civilian service and have it used in your civilian annuity computation when you retire from the government. If you complete that deposit within two years, you won’t be charged any interest on the amount you owe.
To make a deposit, you’ll have to complete a copy of form RI-20-97, Estimated Earnings During Military Service, and mail it to your military finance center with a copy of your DD Form 214, Report of Transfer or Discharge. When they get back to you, take that letter, a copy of your DD-214 and Standard Form 3108, Application to Make Service Credit Payment, to your local payroll office and request an estimate of the deposit required. They can arrange a payment schedule or you can deposit the amount in a lump sum. You can get copies of the RI and Standard Forms from your personnel office or download them at http://www.opm.gov/forms.
Good afternoon
I began working as a fers employee in 2008 and in 2022 I will met my MRA+10 with a total of 17 years creditable service years being I bought back my active duty time. I am a dual status technician for the Arizona Air National guard. As long as I meet my military requirements can I be forced to retire before acquiring 20 years a service as a technician? Or as it might be referred to as non retained.
There is no circumstance under which you could be forced to retire; however, if your activity was being reorganized or downsized and your position was adversely affected, you might be downgraded or separated. Under the scenario you provided, that sounds unlikely.
Does prior FERS Title 5 time (non mil technician) and buyback of T10 military credit count toward the “20yrs and age 50” rule of a military technician retirement? If I am involuntarily non-retained due to a force management decision, would I be qualified for a Discontinued Service Retirement? (no discipline/Disqual issues)
Summary: Age 50 in 2022. FERS service years = 22yrs. (5yrs T5 FERS employee + 7yrs T32 FERS military technician + 10yrs of military T10 DD214 buyback). Total of 28yrs satisfactory military service (>20 total Active).
Our HR office provides conflicting responses, stating that “yes, it all counts and I would receive DSR”, and conversely “No, you must have served all 20yrs as a military technician to qualify for military reserve technician retirement”. Which one is correct?
Yes, you would be entitled to disability retirement. For proof, go to https://www.opm.gov/retirement-services/publications-forms/csrsfers-handbook/c046.pdf and scroll to Section 46B4.1-2C.