Q: I am considering buying back my military time. I am a federal employee under FERS and retired from the Naval Reserves in January 2010. If I buy back my time (which is about eight years of active duty), will it affect my military retirement at age 60? Also, what is the true advantage of buying back my time?
A: If you make a deposit for your period(s) of active duty service, those years will be included when determining your total years of civilian service and in your annuity computation. For most FERS employees that would mean an increase of 8 percent in their annuities. Making a deposit will have no affect on your reserve retired pay.
