Q. If I have 20 years of federal service but choose to leave at age 48 to work in the private sector, will I be eligible to receive my retirement at age 50 or will it be deferred until my minimum retirement age?
A. You won’t be eligible for a deferred retirement until you reach your minimum retirement age. FYI: Deferred retirees aren’t eligible for the special retirement supplement nor are they able to re-enroll in the Federal Employees Health Benefits or Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance programs.
