Q. I retired from Army under CSRS last year at age 56 after 32 years of service and full benefits. I wish to return to federal service. Is this possible? Would I have to give up my pension? Can I be hired full time under my old position or one similar? A. Yes, you can be hired as a civilian employee of the federal government if an agency wants to do that. In theory, the agency in which you worked before retiring could hire in the position you previously occupied; however, it may not be possible. Most military departments have a bar on doing that…
Monthly Archives: April, 2012
Q. If I continue to work with the federal government at age 62 and beyond, can I still collect early Social Security at age 62? And stop paying Social Security? A. While you could apply for a Social Security benefit at age 62, because you had earnings from wages or self-employment, you’d be subject to the Social Security earnings test. The limit for 2012 is $14,640. If you are under full Social Security retirement age, your Social Security benefit would be reduced by $1 for every $2 above that limit. Further, regardless of your age, as long as you have earnings from wages…
Q. I maxed out. Where do I go to find out how much is in my after maxing out account? A. If you are referring to retirement deductions that were taken from your pay after having worked for 41 years and 11 months, the only way I know to find that out would be to subtract the retirement contributions figure on the pay slip you received when you hit that level of service from your most recent pay slip.
Q. I started working for the government in 1976. I was under CSRS, quit and went back eight years later. I have paid Social Security since 1964. When I returned to the government, I was advised by the payroll person to go under FERS because I had more than 40 quarters in Social Security. If I have 30 years of substantial earnings, will my Social Security still be penalized? Where do I find the definition of substantial earning in a format I can understand? A. If you have 30 years of substantial earnings under Social Security, your Social Security benefit won’t…
Q. If my 81-year-old mother receives a survivor benefit from my father, who died in 2005, can she add a second annuitant? Would the second annuitant have needed to be added when my father added her as the first annuitant? A. That survivor annuity would only be payable to his widow, and it would end with her death.
Q. I have been working in FERS for 10 years. In 2004, I was upgraded from GS-6 to GS-7 due to best practices. In June 2006, I was put on priority placement and RIF to another base in Texas because of BRAC. I am currently a GS-7 position, and my workload has been reduced due to some changes of the process. Could management reduce me to a GS-5 or a GS-6? Do I have any rights to appeal, or is this all determined by management? Is this stated in the Office of Personnel Management? A. Just as your position could be…
Q. I am 47 and receive a CSRS monthly annuity. I retired from the Postal Service after 26 years. If I accept a position at the Veterans Affairs hospital, how will that affect my annuity? A. The salary of your new position would be offset by the amount of your annuity. For example, if your annuity is $40,000 and the annual salary of your new position was $50,000, you’d receive a salary of $10,000.
Q. As a new employee, I am paying into the Federal Employees Retirement System annuity. 1. Am I required by law to participate into the FERS program, or can I opt out? 2. How does paying into this system benefit me? 3. If I leave the federal government before I retire, will I get my money back? 4. How is this different from Social Security? A. 1. You are required by law to have retirement deductions taken from your pay. You cannot opt out. 2. If you meet the age and service requirements to retire, you’ll be eligible for an…
Q. Everything I’ve read states it’s best for FERS employees to retire on the last day of the month to be on the retirement payroll the next month. I plan on retiring in October 2013 at age 60 with 30 years (includes three years of military service already bought back). Oct. 31, 2013, is a Thursday with the pay period ending Saturday, Nov. 2. My birthday is Oct. 24, so I can’t go sooner than the end of the month. Even though I will get credit for approximately 45 days of sick leave after the 1/2 deduction, I have been told that will…
Q. I am a Postal Service employee (regular rural carrier). Some time back, I sustained a back injury on the job. It was approved through the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs for necessary treatments and I eventually had surgery on my back. I subsequently returned to my job and began having back problems again. OWCP approved treatment/office visits again. I received some shots into my back to try to relieve the pain. How do I get paid for the time off I have to take for doctor’s visits and treatments when they occur periodically (as needed) and are often for one day?…