Q. I spent 11 years on active duty as USNR. I then spent another 10 years in the Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service, but was never assimilated into the Regular Corps (thus the equivalent of reserve status). I collect a military retirement and now work for the government under FERS. Since all my active-duty time was as a reserve officer, can I buy back any of my time, even though I collect a pension? I was told as regular military you can’t, but as a reserve status, you should be able to.
A. Reserve service is rarely creditable for retirement and, as a rule, you can’t get credit for it by making a deposit. To see the rules and exceptions, go to www.opm.gov/pubs/handbook/C022.pdf.
