Q: I was in the Navy for five years. I then worked at the U.S. Postal Service under FERS for seven years, during which time I bought back my military time with the deposit. After Sept. 11, 2001, I went into the Army and I will retire with 20 years active service. Who do I need to contact to get a refund for my five years deposit with the postal service? A: While you can’t get a refund solely of your deposit for active-duty service, you can get a refund of your contributions and deposits to the retirement fund. Download…
Monthly Archives: July, 2011
Q: I will be 60 in December 2013 but will not have 20 years until April 2014. I have 1,000 hours of sick leave at this point. Can I use that leave beginning Jan 1, 2014, to reach the April milestone? A: No. You must meet the actual age and earned-service requirements to be eligible to retire. Unused sick leave can only be added after you meet those requirements.
Q: I’m in a law enforcement position and was wondering if the FERS Supplement is also paid to new retirees while on interim payments or are the interim payments only a part of the FERS basic annuity? A: The special retirement supplement is only paid when your case has been finalized and you are receiving your full annuity. You’ll receive catch-up payments of your SRS along with any additional annuity you are owed because you were on interim pay.
Q: I am Discontinued Service Retirement eligible and I am being separated because of a reduction in force. I am in the Priority Placement Program for a year. Why can I not wait until the year is almost up to put in for my DSR? Also, I am a FERS employee, but I have money that I paid into CSRs. I am not a in CSRs offset because when I was transferred the choices were not explained to me. I was just told that I had to transfer. When I retire, what happens to the money I paid into my…
Q: My retirement date is July 1. I am in the negative of 170 hours of sick leave and 32 hours of annual leave. I will receive an annuity, but I will get an interim first, so how much will I have to pay back and how much on the payment plans do I have, too? A: Unless your agency waives payment, you will owe a debt that must be repaid. Whether they will require you to pay it before you separate for retirement or ask OPM to withhold the required amount from your annuity is a decision they will…
Q: I had 13 years of Social Security employment (max contribution) before entering CSRS Offset in 1991. My salary was always maximum Social Security contribution. I am 64 and considering retirement at age 66. Do CSRS Offset years count in meeting the 30 year requirement to avoid WEP? A: All years of Social Security-covered employment in which you had substantial earnings count toward the 30 years needed to avoid the windfall elimination provision.
Q: Where do I send my form for buying back my military time? I also would like to know how to find out how much it will cost. A: To make a deposit for any years of active-duty service, you’ll need to complete a copy of Form RI-20-97, Estimated Earnings During Military Service, and mail it to the military finance center for your branch of service along with a copy of your DD-214, Report of Transfer or Discharge. When you get that information, take it to your payroll office along with a copy of your DD-214 and a Standard Form…
Q: What is the minimum amount of survivor benefit that I need to select if I want my wife covered under health insurance? Can I select $1? A: Yes, but if you elect something other than a full survivor benefit, your spouse will have to agree to it in writing.
Q: Where can I find my amount of credible service or time that counts toward my retirement? A: Your service computation date will be shown on your leave and earnings statement. It reflects your creditable federal service. Since some service is never creditable, and some is creditable only with the payment of a deposit or redeposit of retirement contributions, you’ll have to look in your official personnel folder and talk with someone in your personnel office if any of that service isn’t included in your SCD.
Q: I recently retired from the FBI in a non-law enforcement position, 0132. However, I started federal service in 1971 as an 1811 and stayed in that position for about 15 years (DEA special agent, customs special agent). Then, I went to the private sector for 18 years. After retiring from the private sector, I returned to the government, the FBI, in the 0132 series. After a total of 20 years, I retired. OPM advised that although I contributed the higher 6C contributions to the 6C retirement for 3/4 of my total federal service, there was no provision for either…