Q. I am collecting my CSRS pension, having retired from the Postal Service in February 2011 after a combined 37+ years of service — nine years and seven months with the Air Force, and 30 years and two months with the Postal Service. I’ve worked for a private corporation for about a year and had no problem with working and collecting a pension.
But now I have an opportunity to get a job with the U.S. Census Bureau. Since it is a government agency, I figured there may be some conflicts regarding collecting a salary and a pension at the same time. But each person I’ve asked regarding a potential conflict, I’ve received a different answer, which is to say, nobody really knows the answer but everyone has an opinion.
Is there clarification that you can give to me regarding the possible conflict I may have? It may not be worth my while to take a position with the Census Bureau if my financial losses outweigh my financial gains.
A. As a rule, your salary will be reduced by the amount of your annuity. Only the Census Bureau can tell you if you are being hired under an exception to that rule.
