Q. Can a person who is retired from federal civil service and receiving a retirement check keep their service computation date upon rehire?
Monthly Archives: March, 2013
Q. I would like to know who is responsible for informing employees who work for the government of the windfall elimination provision. I was not told about the WEP until I went to the Social Security office to file for my Social Security retirement. My Social Security benefits were reduced by more than $1,000 per month. I worked hard all my life with two jobs for over 30 years. For what? Just to have my benefits go to someone who did not work but gets benefits. How are you to be informed of this law?
Q. I am a recent retiree and have to decide whether to obtain Medicare Part B coverage. I have, and intend to keep, my Blue Cross coverage. I am trying to determine whether I should opt for Medicare Part B for my wife and I, even though I have Blue Cross. The Medicare Part B monthly payments would range about $150 for each of us.
Q. I retired under FERS with over 30 years of service in May 2009 and began receiving the special retirement supplement. The SRS was eliminated when I exceeded the Social Security earnings limit working in the private sector for the next three years. I fully retired in May 2012, after I again exceeded the $15,000 earnings limit for 2012. Do I need to contact Social Security to let them know I am no longer working? If so, is there a form I need to submit? Also, when can I expect my SRS to be reinstated? I won’t be 62 until May 2015.
Q. When I returned to government service in 1995, human resources recommended that I switch to FERS and receive a computation date of Oct. 6, 1989, for my years of service in the 1970s. So many people are saying that CSRS is the better arrangement. I was so glad to have a job and listened to what they recommended. Can I switch back to FERS even though I signed a form of understanding?
Q. I am a federal employee under CSRS with 40 years of service this year for the Veterans Affairs Department at age 60. I am the only person at my facility doing my job and the only one in this facility with full knowledge of my job task and responsibilities. Is there an opportunity for a buyout in this position? Do I need to ask human resources if there is a chance for buyout potential?
Q. I understand that if one works for the intelligence community in an overseas assignment, one receives extra credit toward the number of years worked. In CSRS, it is 0.5 percent for each of the first five years and then 0.25 percent for the next five years. Where can I find this regulation such that I can make sure I receive this when I retire, since I am no longer in the intelligence community?
Q. My wife is my beneficiary, and the Defense Finance and Accounting Service has her date of birth wrong. How do I get it corrected?
Q. I am eligible to retire under CSRS in September (age 55 with 30 years). Will phased retirement be in place for me to consider on or before that date?
Q. I was told I am included in the catch 62 provision. I served four years in the Air Force from 1974 to 1978 and began Postal Service employment in 1979 (to present). I’d like to retire this year. I also have 2,282 hours of sick leave, and my service computation begins in 1975.