Q. I have 24 years of service in federal law enforcement. Nov. 25 will make 25 years government service. I am 52 and will retire this year. I have heard and read the best dates for FERS to retire in 2014 are May 31, June 28, Nov. 29 and Dec. 28. I’ve read no matter which day in the month a FERS employee retires, the employee’s retirement becomes effective the first day of the following month. The first annuity check will then be dated the first day of the following month. If I retire on Oct. 18, the end of pay period 21, will I be minus 13 days of retirement pay, Oct. 19 through 31, when I receive my pension?
A. There is no one best date to retire. There are too many factors involved for that. However, as a FERS employee, you are mistaken if you think you can retire any time after the last day of a month and be on the annuity roll in the following month. If you retired on October 18, you wouldn’t be on the annuity roll until November, with your first annuity payment due on December 1.
