Q. I have more than 14 years of civil service. I’m retired military (20 years). I’m almost 58 years old. I fall under FERS. A while back, an email came down asking who would be interested in Voluntary Early Retirement Authority/Voluntary Separation Incentive Pay. I replied in the affirmative. If they offer VERA/VSIP, my supervisor says he would not approve it for me, as he cannot afford to lose the position. My plan was to retire at 60, but if they offered VERA/VSIP I would go earlier. With talk of reductions in force, I’m concerned what course would be most…
Browsing: Reductions in force
In my last two columns, I described the procedures agencies are required to use when they conduct a reduction in force. In this column, I’ll focus on the options available to employees who are eligible to retire when facing a RIF. Immediate retirement If you have the right combination of age and service, you’ll be able to retire on an immediate annuity, even if you aren’t directly targeted by a RIF. Here are the rules, which are different for personnel under the Civil Service Retirement System and the Federal Employees Retirement System. The immediate retirement rules are different for special…
Q. I have recently heard about an 85-year time and service requirement for CSRS. I have always been told that you need the standard 55 years of age to retire unless your organization was having a reduction in force or similar downsizing. Is there any discussion of this in the CSRS manuals?
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 am a level 13 postmaster who will receive a reduction-in-force notice in June 2014. My position as EAS 13 Postmaster will be demoted to an EP-55 Part-time Career employee. My plans were to take the RIF in June and leave in September 2014. I am 51 years old and have been a CSRS employee since I was hired in 1983. I was counting on leaving under the discontinued service retirement in June. However, now that they have offered this Voluntary Early Retirement Authority even though it offers no incentive, should I take the “safe” out now or wait…
Q. I am a Postal Service employee whose plant was recently closed. They are talking about a possible reduction in force after the first of the year if I don’t find a job. If that happens, I believe I am eligible for unemployment benefits. I am also eligible to retire, which I did not plan on doing, but if that happens, can I collect my pension and also unemployment benefits? I read the laws in New Jersey concerning that and I believe they are reduced.
Q. I am a FERS employee with 33 years at age 54. If we have a reduction in force or reorganization, would I be eligible for the Voluntary Early Retirement Authority/Voluntary Separation Incentive Pay?
Q. I am a civilian federal employee with 24+ years in FERS. Is there information as to whether or not there will be a reduction in force for the Defense Department in the next six to 12 months? I am considering retirement but would like to qualify for a buyout if it becomes available. What options are there for my Thrift Savings Plan at retirement? I’d like to roll over into more than one IRA, at separate financial institutions, if possible. How long does it take to process retirement paperwork? I also need to apply for Social Security benefits.
Q. I am a veteran employee with a service computation date of March 2006. In the case of a reduction in force, what are my options? And what will my veteran status do for me in keeping my position?
Q. I will have my three years in as a federal employee at the end of November. Because I am still considered temporary, am I the first to go during a reduction in force, or does the performance rating still count?