Q. Can you explain what would happen to my pension as a reinstated employee? I retired in 2011 from the sales department in the U.S. Postal Service. I took a Voluntary Early Retirement Authority. I was 53, now I’m 59. I would like to go back to my job (I just saw the posting). I have been getting the supplement since age 56. I get $27,348 with my pension and supplement. I left at the pay scale of $68,000 — the same as the job is offering. Would I still get a pension in my direct deposit? Will I accrue a new pension?…
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 was told that the windfall elimination provision does not apply to CSRS offset employees. Is this correct?
Q. How does the accumulation of sick leave factor into the overall retirement calculation? I plan on retiring in four years and will have accumulated more than a year’s worth of sick leave. I want to use it toward retirement. I will be 63 with 18 years of service as a civil servant. I’m retired military, as well.
Q. Is the cost of the spousal benefit I elect on the day I retire (approximately 10 percent of my pension) set in stone? Or do I have to pay more each year because the value of my pension is going up due to the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA)? (Is it 10 percent of retirement pay on Day 1 and that amount is paid forever, or 10 percent of my pension as it goes up due to COLA? Is the value of my spousal benefit based on 55 percent of the amount of my high-3 pay at retirement or is it 55 percent of my pension at…
Q. I spent 13 years, 1987-2000, in the national guard, drill weekends and annual training periods. I have been working for the Department of Defense since 2006. Does any of this time count toward my retirement or leave accrual?
Q. I have 13 years of military service and I am 38 years old. I am about to become a federal employee. When can a retire at the earliest?
Q. I would not want to give back a year’s worth of pay, 200 hours more worth of annual leave and another 100 hours of sick leave. Take a look around — how many managers do you see giving back? They are by far the worst offenders when it comes to abuse of sick leave. The term hypocrite doesn’t even come close to describing what they practice.
Q. I am a U.S. postal worker. I will have 27 years of employment with the U.S. Postal Service this year and will also turn 56. Can I immediately start drawing the annuity supplement if I retire at the age of 56? As a postal worker, I must have 30 years of government service before I am eligible for the annuity supplement, correct?
Q. Can people who retired under the Civil Service Retirement System get the special Social Security supplement?
Q. Can my local human resources office calculate the estimated FERS special retirement supplement for FERS employees?