Q. I am a law enforcement officer, born 1967. My 6(c) service computation date is Nov. 1, 1989, and I plan to continue to work as a 6(c) until Dec. 31, 2014 (but not retire, simply change jobs/agency). I would like to continue working as a FERS regular employee until Dec. 31, 2020, when my youngest is out of college. If I change from 6(c) to regular FERS either now or at the end of 2014, do I mess up my ability to retire with the 6(c) computation of my 20 “good years,” or lose the ability to retire before…
Browsing: Earnings test
Q. I am a law enforcement officer who retired after 27 years at age 51. I am receiving the special retirement supplement, which I should receive fully until age 56 despite any additional income. I started a private-sector position immediately upon my retirement. They are taking full Social Security deductions from my pay. It seems to me that I have “topped out” on Social Security based on my service. Should I still have Social Security deducted? If so, will I receive any benefit from this when file my taxes next year?
Q. I am in CSRS offset, and I am eligible to retire now. I turned 66 on April 8. I started collecting Social Security benefits as of Jan. 1 and continue to work. How will my retirement calculation change when I retire? Most, but not all, of the Social Security benefits were earned while I was under CSRS offset. I copied the following excerpt from “Ask the Experts”: “In the year you reached your full retirement age, it would be reduced by $1 out of every $3 you earned. After that, there wouldn’t be any reduction.” I don’t understand what…
Q. I’m a FERS employee, air reserve technician. At the time of retirement, I will have 36 years. I will have reached my high year of tenure of 56, at which I’m forced to retire. I will receive my retirement pay, but I also understand that I will be authorized to apply for the special retirement supplement as long as I don’t get another federal job? Do I apply through the Office of Personnel Management? Where does this supplement come from? Will I be penalized for exceeding a certain income level? Will it reduce the amount I’m authorized when I…
Q. I will be 63 this month. I worked at the Postal Service from 1969 to 1981 as a letter carrier. I took the CSRS money out when I left in 1981. I worked in the private sector from 1981 to 1989. I came back to USPS in 1989, paid back the CSRS money and am now in CSRS offset. I have about 37 years in USPS and plan to work here another three years. Where can I find some info to help me decide whether to retire from USPS now and work in private sector or keep working at…
Q. I retired from the Postal Service on Jan. 31. I am 60 years old and I took the Voluntary Early Retirement Authority. I received an $11,000 annual leave payment, and the $10,000 buyout. I also receive a widow’s benefit from Social Security of $9,000. Will this money be counted as earned income on my income taxes against the $15,120 limit? I also receive the special retirement supplement.
Q. I retired under FERS from the Bureau of Prisons with 22 years of service. I just turned 55 and have been hired by a private company for a job I am really looking forward to. When I turn 57 in September 2015, will I be required to reduce hours to stay below a specified salary threshold?
Q. I am looking at retiring in about a year. At that time, I will be 53 with 26 years of 6(c) coverage under FERS. I know I can retire right now, but will I be penalized for not waiting until I am 57 (mandatory retirement age)? Also, I understand I can earn as much as I can after retirement, but until what age? I had an officer tell me it was 57 and another said it was 62, the age when regular Social Security benefits are paid. I also believe that the Social Security benefits at 62 would be…
Q. I want to see if I can suspend my medical insurance (I am retired FERS). I have taken a part-time job that offers medical benefits if I want them. I need to make a decision soon and was told that when I retired, I would be able to suspend my medical if I found work. What is the amount I can earn before I have to pay back to the Social Security (as I am 59), and do I pay back dollar for dollar?
Q. When does the earnings test begin for special category retirees? I’ve heard either 56 or 57, depending on birth year. Is this indeed the case?