Q. I work for the Defense Department, where there is talk about another set of early-out offers due to budget/sequestration cuts. They say the problem is funding these buyouts. I remember back in the late 1980s they offered “years” instead of money. Is there any chance they might offer three years to either your age or length of service to encourage people hanging in there trying to max out their retirement benefit to leave early even without the $25,000 buyout.
Monthly Archives: March, 2013
Q. I worked as an on-call substitute clerk carrier at the Kenilworth substation at 6270 Kenilworth Ave., Riverdale, MD 20737 from June 1965 to April 1967. How can I document for my retirement?
Q. Can someone explain why furloughing workers would be the first step to save money? I would think buyouts would be first. There are thousands of CSRS employees just waiting for a buyout; why aren’t they being offered?
Q. I retired from the Marine Corps after 21 years of service in 2002 and I’m receiving retirement pay. I began working with the State Department and will be eligible to retire at age 59 with 20 years of service. Will I be able to retire from the State Department and receive a pension and still receive my pension from the Marine Corps?
Q. I’m a federal employee in a Veterans Affairs Department hospital. Before actual employment, I spent three years doing medical residency in VA. Will those three years in training count toward my creditable service for retirement?
Q. I switched to FERS from CSRS. Do you know of anyone who has been permitted to return to CSRS from FERS? At first, CSRS folks were not allowed the Thrift Savings Plan option, and later they were. I think I would have opted to stay with CSRS had I known that. Is there any way to go back?
Q. I am 43 years old with 20 years of federal service: nine years as Border Patrol agent and 11 as an 1811 (Postal Inspector). Will my Border Patrol time count as out at any age with 25 years?
Q. Can a widow of a retired federal worker pick up health benefits after his death? He did not have health benefits at the time of his death.
Q. I have been told by different people that environmental [hazard] pay is figured into your retirement. Can you explain this for me?
Q. Are nurses allowed Voluntary Early Retirement Authority? I have 22 years and am 57 years old.