Q. I retired almost three years ago from a nonappropriated fund instrumentality of the Defense Department, at which time I was advised not to set up a spousal annuity for my husband because he worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs and would be getting his own retirement. It was explained to me that a person could not receive his or her own government retirement and a spousal annuity from a government agency at the same time. Is this true? My husband is planning to retire this summer and he has been advised that he can set up a spousal annuity for me and that I will be able to receive my own retirement in addition to that annuity payment.
A. What you were told was 100 percent untrue. You can receive your own annuity and a survivor annuity based on your spouse’s annuity.
