Q. As a federal employee, how will my insurances and leave accrual be impacted if I go part-time? If I stay employed in a part-time status, will my service years accrue year-for-year or will it be prorated based on hours worked?
A. Your part-time pay would be computed by multiplying your hourly rate by the number of hours worked during a pay period. You’d earn annual leave according to the number of hours you worked per pay period. As a permanent part-time employee, you’ll receive a full year of service credit for each calendar year worked when determining your retirement eligibility, date of career tenure, within-grade pay increases change of leave category and time-in-grade restrictions on advancement. Your annuity would be based on your length of service and your high-3. As a permanent part-timer, you’d be eligible for FEGLI coverage, the amount determined by the amount of hours you were scheduled to work times your pay rate. Your FEHB coverage would be the same as any other employee; however, the government contribution would be prorated according to the number of hours you are scheduled to work; for example, if you worked 20 hours a week, you’d pay your share of the premiums plus one-half of the government’s share.
