Q. I was CSRS for seven years, reassigned in 1983 and was rehired 10 months later (1984) as a temp under FICA. Three months later, I got a new career appointment and was put under CSRS. Now I’m 55 and requested my retirement estimate and was told that for 29 years, I’ve been under CSRS but should have been under Offset. Is this a bad hit for me, or will I break even? My human resources office is avoiding me and my calls.
A. It is your agency’s responsibility to work with you on this. It has no choice. The law requires it. When the dust settles, you’ll end up getting a regular CSRS annuity until you reach age 62. At that point, your annuity will be reduced by the amount of Social Security benefit you will have earned while covered by CSRS Offset. The amount of that offset will then be paid to you by the Social Security Administration.
