Q. I am looking at cashing in my stocks. Would this affect my earning amount for the year if I exceed the $15,700?
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 am a FERS employee wanting to retire on Dec. 31, 2017, with 35 years of service and 425 hours of annual leave with which to take as a lump-sum payout. Since the pay period ends in and the actual pay date is in January 2018, will my payout be counted as income for 2017 or 2018?
Q. Block 19 tells me what I have contributed to the retirement fund, but what happens to that money? How can I factor it into my retirement, or don’t I?
Q. I’m a civilian employee and preparing to retire. My SF50 shows that I worked part time, 20 hours a pay period earlier in my career but was given 36 hours each pay period to work; however, I can’t prove I worked those hours because those leave and earnings statements are missing. How does one get copies of lost leave and earnings statements? A. You can get the information you need from the National Personnel Records Center. Go to www.archives.gov/st-louis, click on Civilian Personnel Records and follow the directions at that site.
Q. I took deferred retirement after six years and eight months as a GS-13 Step 10. I didn’t take a buyout or collect any retirement money. What are my opportunities to get back in government?
Q. You’ve said that the special retirement supplement will be reduced or suspended if you have earnings from wages or self-employment that exceed the annual Social Security limit. I have heard that before, but I can’t find it anywhere in writing. Where can I find the rule that spells out the reduction?
Q. Would you be allowed to keep your health insurance if you are eligible to retire but are told you are being fired?
The countdown to the end of the year is on. Some federal employees considering retirement may be eligible for either a postponed or deferred annuity. Postponed annuity A postponed annuity is an option for FERS employees who have reached their minimum retirement age and have at least 10 years of creditable service. However, if you retire under the MRA + 10 provision, there’s a hefty financial penalty. If you have fewer than 20 years of service, that penalty is 5 percent for every year (5/12 of 1 percent per month) that you are under age 62. If you have at…
Q. I’m a CSRS employee with 35 years of service. I also have 21 quarters toward Social Security. I’m 66 years old. I was married for 15 years and my ex-wife is retired under Social Security. Am I entitled to a Social Security benefit on my ex-wife’s service?
Q. I will have 30 years in service on Aug. 8, 2018. I will apply for retirement under the Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA) at that time and see where the dart hits the dartboard. I will be 49 years old (plus a few days) — young enough to perhaps move onto something else. Is there anything I should know?