Q. I am a 25-year federal employee hired under CSRS in 1979. I had a break in service in 1981 and, when I returned to the federal government in 1983, I was told because my break in service was more than 12 months, I was converted over to CSRS Offset. Without any discussion or choice. Can I challenge this conversion? How will my sick leave (900 hours) be handled under the Offset when I am eligible?
A. There’s nothing to talk about. The law required that you be converted by CSRS Offset. As for any unused sick leave, once you are eligible to retire, it will be added to your actual service and used to increase your annuity. In that respect, CSRS and CSRS Offset employees are treated the same.
