Q: I was employed by the federal government between August 1983 and September 1999. At the time I left civil service, I withdrew contributions of $50,000. I have been offered a position with the federal government again. I am now 64. If I accept the position, will I be eligible for a pension? How many years would I have to work? Am I eligible for redeposit of funds?
A: In order to get credit for your prior service, you would have to redeposit that money plus accumulated interest. If you did so, you’d be eligible for an immediate annuity because the requirements for getting that are age 62 with five years of service, both of which you’d meet. If you didn’t redeposit that money, you’d only get credit for the time you work after being re-employed. Therefore you could only retire after you have five years of service.