Q: I have been retired from CSRS for five years. I just saw some briefing slides on “Non-Foreign Area Retirement Equity Assurance Act of 2009.” It mentioned phasing in locality pay over three years (2011-2012). I am a math analyst, and I like taxes, but still can’t understand the slides. Looks like an advantage, but I’m still trying to understand. Please help explain this.
A: The purpose of the act is to phase in the conversion of non-foreign area cost-of-living adjustments — which aren’t included in the computation of an annuity — to locality pay, which is included.