Q. I am under FERS. I turn 65 on Nov. 20 and will have completed 12 years and one month as a federal civilian. My service computation date is Oct. 10, 2000. Is it possible for me to retire effective Nov. 28, or do I have to wait until the end of the pay period?
I will have over 300 hours of annual leave to sell back on Nov. 28. Because my hourly pay is $69, will that $20,700 affect the annual limit from Social Security limit in 2013? I will be applying for Social Security starting on my 65th birthday.
How soon should I apply for retirement — 60 days prior to Nov. 28? Earlier?
A. No, you don’t need to wait until the end of a pay period to retire. The only disadvantage of not doing so is that you wouldn’t receive credit for any annual or sick leave you would have earned during that pay period.
Regardless of the date you pick, it’s recommended that you submit your retirement application at least 60 days in advance.
As for the impact on any Social Security benefit you are entitled to, you may be protected by the Social Security first-year rule. To find out more about it, got to www.socialsecurity.gov/retire2/rule.htm.
