Q. I am a FERS employee and had nine years of active-duty military time and 11 years of reserve before becoming a federal employee. I bought this active-duty time back. Now I have 16 years as a federal employee and the nine years of military time. My understanding is that under FERS, the military time is creditable service up front (I have 25 years of creditable service for retirement purposes). Is this correct? At 60 years old, I’m receiving military retirement. Do I need to waive my military retirement in order to receive FERS retirement or have two separate retirements?
A. Yes, you have 25 years of creditable service for retirement purposes. If you will be receiving reserve retired pay, you won’t have to waive it. If you will be receiving military retired pay, you would have to waive it.
