Q. Please explain why my retirement check is issued one month late. In other words, my Jan. 1, 2014, payment is actually for December 2013. I do not believe it is like that with Social Security. Their January 2014 check is actually for the month of January. It is like the government hangs on to the money for an extra 30 days each month, as I understand it.
A. You’re wrong. Both Social Security benefits and CSRS and FERS annuity payments are paid retroactively. For example, if you are eligible for a payment or benefit in January, you’d receive it on Feb. 1.
