Q: It looks like our agency is going to offer buyouts/early outs. I know I would have to pay back the buyout pay if I go back to work for the federal government within five years. Does this restriction apply to quasi-governmental entities such as the Federal Reserve and the bank regulatory agencies that are funded by the regulated community? A: The restriction applies to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve and the FDIC because they are federal agencies. Federal Reserve banks aren’t.
Monthly Archives: February, 2012
Q: I am a re-employed annuitant (my annuity is being offset from my salary). I have about 2.5 years in this status. If I take a DoD position for a few years where I cannot have my salary offset, and then return to a position in which an offset is allowed for another 2.5 years, will I be eligible for recomputation when I again retire? A: Yes.
Q: Dialysis for End Stage Renal Disease is covered by Medicare. Is it Part A or Part B that covers this treatment? A: Part A for regular dialysis, Part B for chronic dialysis.
Q: I am leaving federal service and have some unanswered questions that my servicing personnel office is unable to answer. I have more than 20 years in service and I am 49. I requested a one-year LWOP sabbatical but it was denied, as I was informed that it is typically only granted when you are taking time off to do your doctorate, which I am not. I want to know if a) I return to federal service, will my sick leave balance start over at 0 (it is currently nearly 700 hours) b) will the same retirement rules apply if…
Q: I’m a retired federal worker with 37.5 years of service under CSRS. I do not expect to ever receive a Social Security check. As a rehire under NDAA, I’m told that I must pay into Social Security (and they’re taking funds out of my check). I can’t seem to get anywhere with HR on this one; it somehow doesn’t seem fair that I’m having to pay into this program knowing I’ll never receive anything in return. Who’s right on this one? A: Of course you’re not getting anywhere with the folks in HR. That’s because they are right. Anyone…
Q: How will the 2012 final year of conversion to locality pay affect federal employees who are paid at “agency discretion” under a statute which caps their pay at EX-IV, such as those in the U.S. Attorney’s Offices. Some employees’ basic pay was under the cap when the three-year conversion began. However, in 2012, their pay would exceed the pay cap if the full amount of COLA is converted to locality pay. On the other hand, if the cap is applied, such employees will experience a reduction in gross pay, inconsistent with Congressional intent to protect employees’ pay. See 1915(a)…
Q: I am a federal employee with the Air Force. I am 52 with 29 years of service in CSRS. I just received notice that my position is in the first round of cutbacks and is to be abolished by Sept. 30. My question is, since my position is to be cut, if I am offered the VERA-VSIP and accepted, will they waive the 2 percent penalty for each year of early separation? My separation would be Sept. 10, 2014, without the VERA-VSIP. A: The 2 percent penalty (1/6 percent per month) for being under age 55 is a matter of…
Q: I have been employed in law enforcement for the past 13 years. Early in my career, I was ill and had leave without pay for 2 months. If I left the LEO position in seven years for a non-LEO federal position, will I have to take into account the 2 months of LWOP in ensuring I have 20 years in an LEO position? Also, am I correct that I can work 20 years in a LEO position then 4 years in a non-LEO position and retire at 50 with a law enforcement retirement? A: As a rule, periods of…
Q: Is the only way to buy back military time is to pay the whole amount to FERS in a lump sum? I thought if you were still working, you could have it deducted in installments from your federal civilian pay each month. I also thought if you put in your retirement paperwork and still wanted to buy back military time, and you couldn’t afford the lump-sum payment just as you were about to retire, you could buy back the time by receiving a smaller monthly retirement until the time was paid back. When the amount was paid in full,…
Q: I am a recently disabled 58-year-old letter carrier with 28 years of service. Since I reached my MRA at age 56, am I considered eligible for “voluntary” retirement under the FERS disability rules? I take that to mean I would only receive roughly $1,200 a month with no Social Security supplement, as opposed to 60 percent of my salary if I was under age 56. After reading your archived FERS disability articles, I am still unclear on this particular issue. A: If you retired voluntarily, you would be doing so under the MRA+10 provision (minimum retirement age and at…