Q. I was employed by the Postal Service from 1987 to about 2000, out of 50 Brewery St., New Haven, CT 06511. I was informed that because of the length of time I was employed that I was eligible for a retirement benefit upon reaching the age of 59½. My 59th birthday occurred Aug. 3 (birth year 1954). I don’t remember my employee ID number, so how will I find the information I would need to apply for these benefits?
A. You were misinformed. Assuming that you didn’t ask for a refund of your retirement contributions, you’d only be eligible for a deferred annuity at age 62, not 59½. A few months before you reach age 62, download a copy of OPM Form 1496A, available at www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/opm1496a.pdf and send it to the Office of Personnel Management. Even if you don’t have all the details, OPM will be able to locate your file.
