I will be taking a break until Dec. 26. I won’t be answering any questions until I return. Please hold your questions until I am back. Thank you.
Author Reg Jones
Reg Jones
Reg Jones was head of retirement and insurance policy at the Office of Personnel Management. Email your retirement-related questions to fedexperts@federaltimes.com.
Q. I’m 66 with 18 years continuous service plus two-year military service, which I paid into FERS in order to get it credited. I had 20 years under FERS when I was 53 already. I’ve worked in the private sector since. I understand the computation of the monthly benefits (@$95K x 20 years x 1.1%), but am not clear on what will happen with the FERS compensation (if any) from 62 to 66. Will the Office of Personnel Management pay this as a lump sum or calculate it into the impending payments or have I forfeited those years?
Q. I am a fed with a non-fed spouse. We both currently carry health insurance on ourselves with the exception she has me on her vision and dental. We both can retire this coming year. She cannot carry insurance into retirement. Should I put her on mine now or can I when she retires as a life-changing event? Hers is better than mine currently and I want to keep her on it as long as possible. Should I add vision and dental now or can I do that when I add her?
Q. What is the difference between disability retirement and DSR?
Q. Can a spouse receive the survivor benefit if they divorce?
Q. I’m a CSRS Offset retiree. If I don’t file for Social Security at age 62, my annuity will be offset (reduced) at the age of 62. It is my understanding that I can continue to work and not be subject to the Social Security income limitation, correct?
Q. If you apply for disability retirement under FERS and Disability with Social Security as required, and Social Security denies you, will your FERS annuity still reduced by what you are supposed to get from Social Security anyway?
Q. If I am terminated from my position for performance, will I be eligible for a Discontinued Service Retirement? I am age 53 (54 next month) with 28 years of service including military payback for those years served. Will I also be eligible for the special retirement supplement once I reach my MRA?
Q. I am 51 on Dec. 19, 2017. I have been with the government for 34 years. I have been offered Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment and Voluntary Early Retirement Authority. Can I take advantage of both? If I accept the VSIP and get the $25,000 buyout, can I keep my health insurance and benefits for life thru VERA? From my understanding, if I accept the VSIP, I will lose my health benefits in 18 months. Since I qualify for both VSIP and VERA, can I take both and get the buyout and keep the health benefits?
Q. Do you think the FERS supplement will still be available to me when I retire March 31, 2018? Or will it be eliminated by then?