Q. I’m a 24-year veteran of the Postal Service at the age of 58. Due to a recommended fourth surgery, I am considering resigning from the Postal Service later this year but want to postpone receiving my annuity until I’m 60-years-old (about 17 months from now) so (according to a human resources representative) I can avoid the 5 percent reduction per year as I would have reached the 60/20 retirement plateau. I realize I would not be eligible for the “special supplement,” but my wish is to work in the private sector and delay receiving social security until my mid-60s. My finances are in order to do this.
So in a postponed annuity, would I be eligible to resume Federal Employees Health Benefits from my previous Postal Service plans? Can I leave the TSP funds in the account? If so, can I make deposits and withdrawals to it after age 60, or are the rules different in a postponed annuity situation?
A. Yes, you’ll be able to re-enroll in the Federal Employees Health Benefits program when your annuity begins, and you’ll have the same range of plan choices you had when you were an employee.
