Q: I’m a under FERS as law enforcement undergoing a Reduction in Force (RIF). I’ve been offered the Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA) and the Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment (VSIP). I have a total of 25 years of creditable service, with nine of those years military time. I did buy that back and I am 47. I have received my Federal Retirement Benefits estimate (FRB). In the FBR it shows I would not be receiving a FERS supplement until 56. However, if I retire at 51 I would start receiving the FERS supplement at that age. I’m really confused as to how this should work. When should I start receiving my FERS supplement? How should my FERS basic annuity be calculated?
A: Regardless of whether your retirement was voluntary or involuntarily, you wouldn’t be eligible to receive the special annuity supplement until you reach your minimum retirement age. Because your active duty service in the armed forces won’t count when determining if you have 20 years of covered law enforcement service, your annuity would be calculated under the standard formula:
0.01 x your high-3 x your years and full months of creditable service, which would include the active duty service for which you made a deposit.
