Q. I was told I can buy back my military time of 25 years, do 5 years in civil service, and then collect a 30-year FERS retirement. Because my military retirement is a disability retirement, I do not have to waive my military retirement and I’ll receive two retirement payments; I just need buy back my time before I retire. Is this true? A. Yes, you can make a deposit to get credit for your years of active duty service before you retire. However, you would also have to waive your military retired pay unless it was awarded on account…
Browsing: RETIREMENT
Q. I am 46 and have 25½ years of service. If I accept an offer of an early retirement, do I have to wait until I reach my minimum retirement age to start receiving my annuity? Also, will my payment for unused annual leave hours be included in my last paycheck? A. Anyone who has at least 25 years of service can retire at any age if offered an early retirement opportunity. However, you wouldn’t receive the special retirement supplement until you reach your minimum retirement age. (MRAs range between 55 and 57, depending on your year of birth.) You’ll…
Q. I have 23 years FERS service and am age 47. If I am involuntarily separated, will I be penalized 5 percent a year for each year I am under 56 (my minimum retirement age)? Would my annuity commence on the day of involuntary separation? And would I be entitled to continue my FEHB coverage? A. Based on your age and service, you wouldn’t be eligible to retire. So, unless you later returned to government service, your only option would be to apply for a deferred annuity at age 60. As for health benefits, on the day you separated from…
Q. I’m retiring with 4 months of sick leave, bringing my total time in FERS to 32 years, 1 month at age 65. I feel I really didn’t accomplish much as far as increasing final annuity and I would have been better off to have used the time up and would have been ahead of the game. Correct? A. Since “burning off” unused sick leave would be a violation of law and regulation, your question is moot.
Q. I retired with 22 years in the U.S. Navy Reserves, 10 of those years active duty. I am currently a FERS employee. I bought back 10 years of my military time. Will my Reserves retirement be affected in any way by buying back 10 years of my military time? A. No, it won’t.
Q. If I elect to waive my pay and retire with 22 years military service and 20 years FERS, would I have any issues? A. As long as you waive your military retired pay and make a deposit to the civilian retirement system to get credit for that time, your civilian annuity would be based on your combined military and civilian service.
Q. I’m considering retiring/resigning. My husband is already retired and waiting on me. I’m 53 and have 21 years in. What are my options? A. If you want to leave government now, you have only one option: You can resign and, because you have at least 20 years of service, apply for a deferred retirement at age 60.
Q. I’m planning to file for disability retirement. I need direct questions for my doctor to turn in to the Office of Personnel Management. Where can I find them? A. You’ll find out what information is required from your doctor at http://www.opm.gov/retirement-services/publications-forms/csrsfers-handbook/c060.pdf. Just scroll to Section 60 A1.1-2J.
Q. I have worked for the government in two different agencies. I worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 12 years under CSRS, which was followed by time in the U.S. Department of Commerce for the remainder. This includes four years of military service. There was a break of more than a year between the two. I was classified as being Offset CSRS in the Department of Commerce, but I have always paid into Social Security both in the Postal Service and Commerce. Shouldn’t I be exempt from WEP? A. Because you had a period of service under CSRS –…
Q. I’m a FERS employee who will be retiring soon. Will I be entitled to the special retirement supplement? A. The special retirement supplement is payable immediately to those who retire at age 60 with 20 years of service or at their minimum retirement age with 30. If you retire under an early retirement authority, it’s payable at your MRA. No paperwork is needed to receive the SRS. Three things to keep in mind: 1) The SRS is never payable to those who retire under the MRA+10 provision or who leave government and apply for a deferred annuity. 2) The…