Q. I have scoured all the relevant back posts and the closest one to answering my question was on 2/23/2010. You said that being on LWOP would not affect the high-3 average pay computation for purposes of federal disability retirement because the employee was receiving FECA comp. What if no compensation was being received, but you were not on LWOP for more than six months during any year of the high-3 period. That is, no “excess LWOP.” For example, what if an employee used four months of LWOP each year in her final three years when she earned her highest…
Monthly Archives: September, 2010
Q. I retired from a federal law enforcement position on Aug. 31, with 25 years of service at age 53. I was born in 1957. On Sept. 1, I began working a full-time position with a nonfederal agency. At what age am I subject to the earnings test for my annuity supplement? Is it age 56 since I was born in 1957? A. Yes
Q. I am confused about Medicare coverage. I reach age 65 this month. If I have the federal Blue Cross coverage coming out of my pension each month for the family ( and college-age dependents ages 19-21), do I have to be concerned about parts B D and E with BC/BS? I also use the VA for my drugs and routine visits. How does this affect me at age 65? A. Retirees covered by the Federal Employees Health Benefits program have no need to enroll in Medicare Parts D and E. Whether they enroll in Part B is a matter…
Q. I retired under CSRS at age 62. I do not qualify for Social Security benefits. My spouse retired at age 62 and collects Social Security. She never worked for the government and collects no other pension. When I die, and she starts collecting a CSRS survivor annuity, will she be affected by WEP? A. No.
Q. Years ago I worked at for the Corps of Engineers during several periods totaling 10 to 12 years, depending on how months and days were counted. During that time I converted from CRCS to FERS and withdrew my retirement funds. I am considering returning to Civil Service. Where can I find out my exact time in service, how much time I must work to get eligible for retirement pay, pay back amounts into the system to be eligible for retirement, etc.? A. To learn how to access your prior federal employment records, go to the National Personnel Records Center site…
Q. My husband and I have been married for 11 years He never added me to get benefits if something happen to him so that I could get health coverage and monthly check. He was not married at the time of retirement in 1993. Can this be done now? A. Unfortunately, no, because by law he would have had to elect a reduction in his annuity to provide a survivor benefit for you within two years of the date of your marriage. It’s too late to do that now.
Q. I am a fairly new employee under FERS, retired military of 23.5 years. I did not buy back my military time after researching; it seemed like a rip-off. Understanding this, my question is this, “When I reach retirement age and actually retire, it’s my understanding that I will be entitled to my FERS (consisting of full Social Security entitlements, TSP, and the FERS annuity) also my current military retirement that I am receiving. I have not yet filed a VA service compensation claim so I might be able to factor that in as well. I get confused when some…
Q. I plan to retire under CSRS in late December 2011 or early January 2012. My plan is to carry over 240 hours of annual leave into 2011, accrue additional leave during the year, and “cash out” the leave at retirement. However, I recently heard from a co-worker that there has been a change which will limit a retiree from cashing out more than 240 hours. Are you aware of any such change that has been made or that is in the works? A. I’m unaware of any such change and suspect that it’s just another rumor with no basis in fact.
Q. If someone retired on both a FERS disability retirement, as well as a disability retirement from Social Security — and then has the SSA (after 17 years) stop his benefits by claiming that he was now able to return to gainful employment — would that person then have his monthly FERS benefit increase? The person in question was receiving about $1,700 monthly from the SSA and $700 monthly from FERS. If his monthly FERS benefit would now increase — could you give me an idea by approximately how much? A. While I cannot give you a dollar amount, I can give you the…
Q. I am ATC with 20 years good time. My 50th birthday is Nov.1 . Can I retire on Oct.31, using the assumption that the day before your birthday is used in determing retirement age? Where can I find this info? A. You are correct. Your agency will be able to find proof of that by reading Retirement Counselor Letter No. 88-304, which I signed on June 23, 1988, when I was OPM’s assistant director for retirement and insurance policy.