Q: I’ve been a federal employee for 4.5 years. I’m thinking of leaving the federal services.My coworker told me that I should wait until I have five years of services before quitting. Are there additional benefits for staying with the federal agency for five years before going to a private company?
A: If you didn’t have five years of creditable service under FERS when you left government, you wouldn’t be vested in the retirement system. If you did have five years and didn’t take a refund of your retirement contributions, you’d be eligible for a deferred annuity at age 62.
