Q: I am CSRS and I have been taking just under six months of LWOP every year for the past 10 years. Is the calculation of my high-3 years the actual pay I received or the pay that I would have received if I had not taken any LWOP. Example: Let’s say my basic pay with locality is $55,000 per year but I have only been receiving $45,000 per because of the LWOP taken. Is the high-3 based on the $55,000 or the actual pay of $45,000?
A: It’s based on the pay you would have received, not the pay you did receive.
