Q: Our organization announced it was approved for a VERA/VSIP. I applied for the VERA and was told that the agency would not offer the buyout with the VERA, due to funding constraints. I was under the impression that if the VERA/VSIP was offered, a buyout automatically came with the VERA. Am I mistaken? A: Yes, you are mistaken. The Voluntary Early Retirement Authority is a broad-based tool that allows those who have the years and service to qualify for early retirement to do so. The Voluntary Separation Incentives Payments program is more narrowly focused. It’s designed to encourage employees…
Browsing: Reductions in force
Q. I retired from the Navy in 1998 (early retirement) with 16 years of service and am receiving military early retired pay. I’ve been employed by the Defense Department under FERS since 2000. Can I retire from DoD after 16 years? I will be 51 when I want to retire in 2016. Also, will I be eligible for the supplemental payment? If my command does a reduction in force, should I apply? What are the penalties if I do? A. You won’t be able to retire from your civilian position in 2016 because you won’t have the age and service…
Q: If you are eligible for a discontinued service retirement and you are part of a reduction-in-force, because you are on a priority placement program for a year, why can you not wait until the year is almost up to put in for your DSR? Also, I am under the Federal Employees Retirement System, but I have money that I paid into the Civil Service Retirement System. I am not under CSRS Offset because when I was transferred the choices were not explained to me; I was just told that I had to transfer. What happens to the money that…
Q: Under CSRS, do you still get your lump sum CSRS contributions back if they completely abolish your position, and are not offered in writing an equivalent position? This would be in addition to your full retirement benefits, minus age penalty. I am 47 1/2, with 31 years of CSRS service, and the only shop planner in my position description. They are talking about wiping out our maintenance department and contracting out. My dad retired about 15 years ago when they abolished his job, and he got his contributions back. Has this changed? A: Because you’d be eligible for discontinued service…
Q: I have been non-retained in the National Guard, which means I lose my job as a military technician. I am 54, have put in 36 years in my job and I’m under FERS. Since I meet the 25-year any-age requirement for retirement, I will draw a retirement annuity. Since I’m drawing a retirement from FERS but lost my full-time job due to retention from the National Guard, can I still apply for unemployment compensation? A: Probably not. However, to be sure, you’ll have to check with your state employment security agency.
Q: I was recently offered voluntary early retirement from the U.S. Postal Service. I have 30 1/2 years of credible service, I am under the Federal Employees Retirement System, and I am 51 years old. I am also considered a reduction-in-force employee because our district office has been closed. Do I qualify for the special retirement supplement? A: You would be eligible for the special retirement supplement when you reach your minimum retirement age, which is 56.
Q: If I am eligible for a discontinued service annuity and I am separated due to a reduction in force, would I be eligible to receive unemployment benefits in addition to the DSA? A: Probably not, but you’ll have to check with your state employment security agency to be sure.
Q: Is a reserve-component retired military person considered a nonveteran the same as an active-duty retired military person in a reduction-in-force? A: To find out how your service in the armed forces would be credited during a reduction-in-force, read the Office of Personnel Management’s VetGuide, located online here.