Browsing: LIFE INSURANCE

Q. I started with the U.S. Postal Service in May 1994 as an rural carrier associate. I became a regular employee in 2001. If I quit my job, would I lose my health benefits? What about any of my other benefits? A. If you quit your job before being eligible for an immediate annuity, your health and life insurance coverage would continue for 31 days at no expense to you. You would be able to continue your health benefits at your own expense under the temporary continuation of coverage provision. You would have the option of converting your life insurance…

Q. I’m a firefighter under the special retirement plan. I’m at 20 years of civilian service but 44 years old. I meet the minimum service time, but not the age. Can I leave the civil service now? If I do, when would I receive my annuity? A. If you leave before being eligible to retire on an immediate annuity, you could apply for a deferred annuity when you reach your minimum retirement age, which is 57. That annuity would be based on your high-3 as a firefighter on the day you left. Note: You wouldn’t be able to reenroll in…

Q. My spouse is sick. I am 59 and have 19 years of service. Can I take early retirement and keep my health insurance and life insurance? A. Yes, you could retire under the MRA+10 provision and continue your health and life insurance coverage, as long as you had been enrolled in them for the five consecutive years before you retire. However, your annuity would be reduced by 5 percent for every year you were under age 62. Alternatively, you could ask your employer to let you work part-time and retire on a penalty-free annuity at age 60.

Q. I resigned from the federal government after 27.5 years of government service. I was 55 years old, and was told because I did not leave at my MRA with 56 years of service, I would not be eligible for FEHB or life insurance. I was planning to initiate my paperwork for retirement at 58 years old. Am I still eligible for medical/life insurance when I apply for retirement at age 58?

Q. Is there any benefit to postponing my retirement pension when I turn age 62? I am eligible then, as I will have the minimum five years’ creditable service through the Department of Veterans Affairs and four years’ active-duty Army. I plan to continue working in the private sector as long as possible. I would prefer to keep my government health insurance and life insurance, if possible.

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