Author militaryonline

Q. Social Security references to the “special monthly rule” (monthly maximum earnings limit versus annual earnings limit) state that this applies in the “first year of retirement.” I retired at age 62 from the CSRS Offset Retirement System in October 2010, but did not apply for Social Security benefits until May 2011. Is my “first year of retirement” 2010 when I retired from the federal government or is it considered 2011 when I applied for Social Security? A. The so-called “first year rule” applies only to the year in which you retire, not to the one in which you apply…

Q. In your July 25 column in Federal Times,“By the calendar, 2011 makes a good year to retire,” I don’t understand the very last paragraph, which says: “So, if you decide to retire, what can you do to assure that your retirement application will be processed smoothly and quickly? Make sure your application is complete and accurate.” My application? I have to fill out a retirement application? I never heard of that. I thought my Human Resources people had all that info and they have done my calculations even though I cannot retire yet. Please explain what is meant by…

Q. I retired on Jan 1 and have been living on approximately half pay since then. I was advised about two weeks ago that the Office of Personnel Management had the file as of June and were completing the file and could expect my back pay owed before September. Also, does the possibility of the “high 5” as opposed to the “high 3” affect my pay status, since the effective date of my retirement was January 2011? Would this decision be retroactive? A. When your retirement is finalized, you’ll receive any underpayments you are entitled to while you were on…

Q. I retired from CSRS in 2006 . I am retired from the Navy Reserves. I also draw a 60 percent disability from the Veterans Administration. I also am eligible for Social Security retirement when I turn 62 in September. I had six years of active Navy duty which I paid back to Civil Service. These six years of active duty were also used toward my Navy reserve retirement. I have Survivor Benefit monies taken out of my  Navy Reserve and CSRS retirement money. My wife receives a disability retirement from the state of Maryland and she will be eligible…

Q. I have received a variety of different and confusing responses to this question. I am always sent to websites that are unclear. I am employed full time as a nurse with a Veterans Affairs hospital (15 years under FERS). My wife and I both have Medicare parts A and B through VA. We are both covered on FEHB with GEHA Basic and have been with FEHB for seven continuous years.  We are both eligible for Tricare for Life as I am a military retiree. Tricare for Life coverage for medication is superior to GEHA, but we cannot use Tricare…

Q. I’ve applied for my CSRS Offset pension effective Aug. 1. I’m 64 years old. Will my CSRS Offset pension be reduced for Social Security entitlement immediately or only after I apply for Social Security? When am I required to apply for Social Security benefits? A: The reduction in your CSRS annuity will be automatic. As for when you apply for a Social Security benefit, that’s up to you. You can do it at any time or not at all.

Q. I am a federal military technician with 30 years of service and I am looking to retire at age 56. If I retire, do I get a FERS retirement and the special retirement supplement  in two separate checks? A. The special retirement supplement will be included in your annuity check. However, you won’t receive it while you are in interim pay. When your retirement application is finally adjudicated, you will receive a lump sum SRS payment along with any underpayment of your annuity. From that point forward,  the SRS and your annuity will be included in a single monthly payment.

Q. Can you tell me if my time on workers compensation is credited to my retirement at age 62 as it is if I were collecting my OPM disability benefit.  I was approved for OPM disability retirement and Social Security and I elected to receive workers compensation benefits in lieu of OPM disability retirement. A. According to OPM, “If workers’ compensation benefits terminate, or the former employee elects to receive an annuity in lieu of compensation, the time spent in receipt of workers’ compensation after the date of retirement is not counted in computing the disability annuity or, if eligible,…

Q. I retired from Federal Civilian Service on June 3. I received my final pay check which included my lump-sum payment for annual leave on Friday June 10. I was paid my regular earnings at my pay grade, GS-12, but my lump-sum payment for unused annual leave was paid at the pay rate for a GS-09. Thinking it was a mistake I called the activity payroll office and to my surprise I was told this was because my promotion to GS-12 was temporary and when I retired I was reverted back to my permanent grade GS-09 in order to pay…

Q. I have seen some questions recently concerning federal annuities and waiving military retired pay. Iis there any benefit in doingso? Why would anyone want to do this? Is it better to get one check or two? A. It’s worth it if making a deposit and waiving your military retired pay results in your being able to retire sooner from your civilian employment with a larger annuity than two separate ones would provide. You need to make the decision based on what you gain when compared with what you lose. Note that waiving your military retired pay will not affect any other entitlements you have…

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