Q: I am a National Guard military technician losing my military membership due to medical nondeployability and pilot grounding. Consequently, I am being involuntarily discharged from the military and my technician employment will be terminated. I am a 52-year-old FERS employee with 12.5 years active Army (I bought back service-time credit), six years career Postal Service and 10 years (hired in August 2001) National Guard service. I was told I am eligible for the National Guard Special Provision (60/40) since I have less than 20 years technician service. They stated I am also eligible for the Discontinued Service retirement with…
Monthly Archives: December, 2011
Q: It was my understanding that the Postal Service had to fund each employee’s retirement and benefits plan in advance to ensure funds would be available upon their date of retirement. Am I correct? A: You are correct. However, a proposal has been floated that would alter the way the Postal Service funds retirement benefits. OPM and others are stongly opposed to it.
Q: I am a FERS participant with 20 years of 6c law enforcement employment. If I retire at age 50 and stop working, but my spouse continues to work, will that affect the amount of the Social Security supplement I receive? A: No, it won’t. FYI. As a special category employee, if you retire before you reach your minimum retirement age, you may earn as much as you want from wages and self-employment without it affecting the amount of your special annuity supplement. After you reach your MRA, you’ll be subject to the annual Social Security earnings limit.
Q: I worked from 1977 to 1980 under CSRS. I withdrew my retirement and my time from active duty, under AGR Title 32 from 1980 to 1985. In 1985, I became an excepted employee for the National Guard until 1995. In 1995, I went to work for the USDA until now. I am now 53. I wanted to make sure my records were accurate and pay back the retirement and active-duty time. According to USDA from 1977 to 1980, I am under CSRS; 1985 to 1990 I am CSRS Offset, 1990 to present I am FERS. Can I pay back…
Q: My husband is retired from civil service. We were not married at the time of his retirement. It has been three years since we married and I wanted to know if I was able to get coverage on his health insurance. We had attempted to get some help locally when we first got married but we were told no. A: He could have done that from 31 days before you married through 60 days after the event. Since he didn’t, he can still change from self-only to self-and-family coverage during the upcoming FEHB open season.
Q: I have been offered VERA and VSIP from my organization. I am 51 and have 28 years of service. Will I receive a Social Security supplement if I retire now or will I have to wait until I reach my MRA of 56? A: You will have to wait until you reach your MRA.
Q: I retired from the Navy in 2001 after 24 years of service. I went to work as a civil servant for the State Department in 2002 and will retire from there with 20 years of service at age 66. Will I be able to draw military, civil service and Social Security? A: Yes.
Q: I am a CSRS employee who plans to retire on my 55th birthday Sept. 22 with 33 years of service. Can I retire at the close of business Sept. 21 or would it be better to retire at the end of the month on Sept. 29 at close of business with a retirement date set at Sept. 30? Does it make a difference? Can I submit my retirement paperwork a year in advance or should I submit it later? A: The decision is yours to make. If you retire at the end of a pay period, you will get…
Q: I understand that FEHB, by law, may not pay the provider more than Medicare schedule after retirement. Is that correct? A: No. To find out what FEHB plans pay, read the section in your plan brochure titled “When you have the Original Medicare Plan (Part A, Part B, or both).”
Q: I’m eligible to retire in January but am considering working a little longer. With the current federal employment climate, is there any danger in delaying, or should I get out while I can? A: If I examined the entrails of a goat, I might be able to predict the future. Since I won’t, I can’t.