Q. I am 60 with almost 14 years with the Postal Service. I also have two years of military service that I bought back. I plan on retiring at 62 in October 2013. Will it hurt me to take a buyout if they offer one? I also worked for the railraod for 22 years prior to USPS and am eligible to collect at 62. What exactly will I lose retiring earlier than 62?
A. Because you would have fewer than 20 years of creditable service, your annuity would be reduced by 5 percent for every year (5/12 percent per month) you were under age 62.
