Q. I joined the Delayed Entry Program (Army Reserve) on March 13, 1973. I entered active duty on Aug. 21, 1973. I have not had a break in service since then. I went to work for the civil service while on transition leave in May 2003. What date am I eligible for my 40-year pin?
Browsing: Creditable service: CSRS
Q. I am a CSRS retiree who retired in 2009 at age 56. When I turn 65 and become eligible for Medicare, should I drop my Blue Cross/Blue Shield Federal Employees Health Benefits, which currently cost approximately $500 per month? Which Medicare “extras” should I take? What, if any, are the advantages of keeping my FEHB coverage?
Q. Can Peace Corps volunteer service prior to Dec. 31, 1986, be combined with other potentially creditable service to meet the five years required to be converted to CSRS Offset on Jan. 1, 1987?
Q. I worked for the federal government from September 1975 through April 1998 and elected to stay in CSRS when the new system was offered in 1987. I turned 62 on Aug. 12, 2012, but did not apply for my benefits under the assumption that the value of the annual benefits would increase if I waited until 65 or longer to begin collecting. Is that assumption correct, or should I apply immediately for the retirement benefits because there is no increase in the base annuity amount until I begin collecting and then I get cost-of-living adjustments?
Q. Can sick leave credit be used to retire earlier than 62 yet receive pension credit as though I had retired at age 62? In other words, can I retire at 62 minus sick leave credit and still receive 1.1 percent x average high-3?
Q. I am a 58-year-old Defense Department civilian GS-13 with 25 years. I am trying to decide when to retire in the next year or so. What will be the benefits if I wait and there is a reduction in force next year? Is there any risk that retirement benefits will be reduced if I wait?
Q. I resigned from the Postal Service in 2010 and, at that time, I had 32 years in at the age of 52. I wish to freeze my retirement until age 55. At that time, I wish to draw it. They accepted the resignation. I was a Level 22 under CSRS. The paperwork they sent me says I have to be 62. Can you advise?
Q. If I retire after Jan. 1, 2014, I will receive 100 percent credit for my sick leave. What exactly does that add to a FERS employee versus a CSRS employee? For example, I am a CSRS employee who makes $60,000 high-3 with 30 years in and 2,087 hours of sick leave versus a FERS employee who has a high-3 of $60,000 with 30 years in and 2,087 hours of sick leave. What does the sick leave add financially to both?
Q. I am a District of Columbia government employee and came in the city government under CSRS (before September 1987) when the district’s government changed from federal to its own retirement and benefits plan. I am 58 years old and have 27 years and nine months of CSRS government service without a break. I have 1,100 hours of sick leave. I will be 60 in May 2015. How soon am I eligible to retire?
Q. I worked for the federal government under CSRS from 1979 to 1989. When I left, I took out my money. I returned to federal service in 2011 and was erroneously placed in FERS. Now I have a decision to remain in FERS or the CSRS Offset. If I don’t pay back the money I owe and plan to retire in eight years at the age of 62, which is the better option for me?