Q. I am 58 and was RIF’d in August 1996. I started work in 1988 and also have four years military service; however, I didn’t make a deposit to get credit for it. Can I do that now? Is it possible for me to apply for a FERS retirement this year?
A. No, you can’t make a deposit now. Only employees can make a deposit. Since you only have 8 years of creditable service, you won’t be eligible for a deferred annuity until you reach age 62. That’s assuming that you didn’t ask for a refund of your retirement contributions when you left. If you did, you wouldn’t be eligible for any retirement benefit.
