Q. I am 57 years old with 34 years of federal service, and I am under CSRS Offset. My agency offered the early buyout, but I turned it down. At that time, I was a GS-9/10. I recently received a GS-11, with hopes of retiring in three years. Does the high-3 apply if I was to retire prior to the three years?
A. Your high-3 is based on the average of your highest three consecutive years (78 pay periods) of basic pay, regardless of when they occur in your career. So, for example, if you worked for one year after the raise went into effect, one-third of your high three would be based on your new rate of pay.
