Q. I am a FERS retired firefighter and wanted to know if and how the post-retirement earning test applies. At age 55, is my special retirement supplement dependent on how much I am making at that age? If so, once the supplement is lost, can you get it back if earnings drop prior to age 62?
A. As a special category retiree, you can earn as much as you want before you reach your minimum retirement age. After that, you are subject to the Social Security earnings test. If your earnings from wages or self-employment exceed $15,425 in 2014, your special retirement supplement will be reduced by $1 for every $2 you earn above the limit. If your earnings fall below that limit in another year, the SRS can be reinstated.