Q. Does a federal employee who was fired get to retain FERS defined benefit plan annuity and government contribution of TSP? Does it matter if the employee is fired for performance or conduct issue? A: Any employee who is fired, whether for performance or conduct, usually retains any entitlements he or she has earned up to that point in time. For example, if eligible for immediate retirement, the employee may retire. If the employee isn’t currently eligible but has the correct number of years of service, he or she can apply for a deferred annuity at a later date. However, if…
Monthly Archives: August, 2011
Q. I was an Air Force reservist on orders for six months back in October 2006. I injured myself while on active duty and the six-month orders turned into two years before it was all said and done. I was put on the Permanently Disability Retired List with a 30 percent disability (non-combat related). I served 29 years in the Air Force Reserve with a total of four years and eight months of active duty. I was hired October 2008 as a federal employee. I am in the process of buying back/military deposit those four years and eight months. I…
Q. After working 26 years for the Postal Service, I transferred to the Defense Department. Postal Service employees have a higher annual leave carryover limit than other federal sectors. I currently have 466 hours of annual leave and the max carryover for DoD is 240. Will I lose all annual leave hours in excess of 240 if not used by Dec. 31? A: According to OPM, “The Postal Service Reorganization Act provides that an employee transferring between the USPS and other agencies may not lose benefits if the employee transfers without a break in service. The employee is entitled to carry over the…
Q. If I pay about $4,000, I will have my 12 years of military service counted toward my FERS retirement. I got hurt at my federal job and I’m thinking about asking for FERS disability. One problem, I am a month shy of the 18 months required. Can I pay only a portion of the $4,000 (to have the month required), or do I have to pay the whole amount. Are we allowed to just pay part of the buy-back money? A: First, you have to have 18 months of creditable civilian service under FERS to be eligible to apply…
Q. Does the windfall elimination provision apply to anyone in CSRS Offset who is 55 or older and has 30-plus years of service upon retirement? A. The windfall elimination provision applies to anyone who is receiving an annuity — in whole or part — from a retirement system where he didn’t pay Social Security taxes and has fewer tha 30 years of substantial earnings under Social Security.
Q. Can l get FERS retirement credit (without buyin) for my 20 years (regular retirement) of military service? I was awarded 100 percent VA service connection five years after military retirement. I have 12 years of FERS time and 10 percent of my VA disability is combat related. A. No, you’d have to make a deposit to the civilian retirement fund to get credit for that time.