Q. I am under civil service offset and in the retirement red zone. I am in the process of updating paperwork and need to know which life insurance forms to fill out. On file, I already have Designation of Beneficiary (Civil Service Retirement System SF 2808). I picked up a benefits package with forms and it contains Designation of Beneficiary (Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance SF 2823). The election form is also FEGLI (not CSRS). Is there a difference in these? A. The SF 2808 is for CSRS employees; the SF 2823 is for FERS employees.
Monthly Archives: August, 2011
Q. Worked 33 years for the U.S. Postal Service under Civil Service Retirement System and four years in the Marine Corps. Back in the 1970s, I bought back my USMC time so I could draw both Social Security and civil service retirements as I worked two jobs. Now, with offset in place, I cannot draw Social Security due to USPS retirement. Can I get a refund for my buyback payment since I will never draw Social Security? A. As a CSRS employee, there wouldn’t be an “offset” that would cancel any Social Security benefit to which you might be entitled. Instead, you’d be subject…
Q. I am Chapter 38, with 17.5 years of federal service. I am 55 years old and under the Federal Employees Retirement System. How can I early out and keep insurance? If I do not touch the retirement until 62, is there a penalty? A. You can’t “early out” because you haven’t met the new age and service requirements to retire: age 50 with 20 years or any age with 25.
Q. I currently have self-only health insurance coverage because my spouse’s health insurance is paid by her employer. I will retire in December 2016. She will retire the same date. At that time, her employer will no longer pay her premiums. Since I have had my coverage as self-only for the five years prior to retirement, may I change my insurance to self and family coverage? A. Yes, you can do that during the next open season.
Q. I am a Civil Service Retirement System offset employee retired on disability prior to age 62. I also worked in the private sector and contributed significantly to Social Security to qualify. I receive both Social Security Disability Insurance and a disability pension. Will my Social Security be offset even though my SS contributions came from both CSRS offset and private industry contributions? I also have Medicare and wonder if my health care coverage under CSRS offset conflicts with my Medicare coverage. A. According to the Office of Personnel Management, your annuity will be offset by the amount of your Social Security disability…
Q. I plan to retire at age 58 after 20 years of service and take the penalty. Am I able to use my unused sick leave for credit toward my retirement? I am under the Federal Employees Retirement System. A. If you retire now through Dec. 31, 2013, you’ll receive half credit for any unused sick leave. If you retire after that, you’ll get full credit.
Q. I separated from the Army in 1997 after nine years of active service and three years of National Guard service. I separated under the provisions of the Special Separation Benefit. My separation benefit was $38,000. I have recently received a job offer as a GS-12 employee. I’m 46 years old and wish to understand if buying back my military time would prove beneficial. Thank you. A. If you become a federal employee and make a deposit for your nine years of active-duty service, you’ll be given credit for that time in determining your length of service and in your annuity calculation. As a rule, you’d…
Q. In February 1992, I retired on disability as an air traffic controller with 10 years of service. I have been receiving a Civil Service Retirement System disability annuity since February 1992. I will be turning 55 in November 2011. Is there a time when my disability retirement will be recalculated to a regular retirement? Do I fall under the special provisions for ATC, retirement at age 50 with 20 years, or any age after 25 years of service? A. As long as you are disabled, your disability annuity will continue. It will never be converted to a regular annuity. While you will be…
Q. I am being involuntarily separated from Nonappropriated Fund service due to my position being abolished. I retained Federal Employees Retirement Service when I became an NAF employee. I am 55 years old with more than 10 years of creditable service and will be Minimum Retirement Age+10 eligible when I turn 56. Will I be penalized 5 percent for every year under the age of 62 if I apply for MRA+10 retirement? My retirement will be a result of being involuntarily separated. Will I be eligible for any Social Security benefits? A. If you are separated before you reach your MRA, you…
Q. I am a federal government employee under the Civil Service Retirement System. I started Nov. 24, 1968. I have 42 years, 9 months. I have 40 quarters paid in Social Security. I have been to the Social Security office and asked about the amount of Social Security I would draw. The monthly total was $239 a month before age 66. Then it would be $249 a month after or at age 66. I have my CSRS benefit estimate report. I need to know how Social Security will affect my CSRS retirement pay. I would like to retire, but I…