Q. I work for Congress and have just over 26 years of federal service under FERS. I will be turning 51 years old at the end of this year. Can I retire early and defer my FERS retirement without penalty and work another job as a contractor until I reach age 62, then completely retire and start receiving my benefits? Also, will I be eligible to continue to receive my Federal Employees Health Benefits if I retire at the end of this year?
A. Since you don’t have the age and service needed to retire, your questions are moot.
