Q: My fiancé has been informed he has terminal cancer. We were planning our wedding for next month. He has just applied for Social Security disability. He already collects a disability pension from a county school board, of which I am not entitled to when he passes. If we marry, how will that affect my civil service retirement pension (I am 58, he’s 62); and am I eligible to receive his Social Security disability benefits after he passes? Do we have to be married for a certain amount of time first? A: Your CSRS annuity won’t be affected because you…
Monthly Archives: March, 2011
Q: I entered federal civil service in March 2007 as an Air Reserve technician. I bought back 10 years of military service. I turn 51 in August. I have heard I must retire at age 56 due to being an Air Reserve technician. However, I won’t have 30 years of service. Is this true? A: What you were told was untrue. Go to http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/uscode/10/E/l/1007/10218 and read what the law has to say about mandatory retirement for reserve technicians.
Q: Should an employee always get a choice between comp time and overtime? Since overtime is 1½ your hourly wage, it seems comp time also should equal this in compensation. My nurse manager is offering comp time for those of us willing to come in early ( before our tour of 7-3:30 ). I would prefer overtime, but she says she can not offer this since it is not related to direct patient care. What are the rules/regulations on comp time and overtime in this and all matters. I am a GS nurse hourly-wage employee. A: See www.opm.gov/pay/html/comp.html.
Q: I am a retired federal employee and receive an annuity. I pay for my Medicare Part B quarterly. I would like to have this cost deducted monthly from my annuity. Is there a form to do this? If so, where can I get this form? A: According to OPM, if you aren’t receiving Social Security benefits, you can have Medicare premiums withheld from your annuity payments. To do this, OPM must receive a request for the withholding from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. They cannot withhold premiums based on your direct request or even one from the…