Q. I “bought back” 7 years of active duty service time and completed an additional 15 years of National Guard service. I have retired from the National Guard. When I retire from the federal government with 27 years as a fed plus 7 years active duty, will I be able to receive both the federal retirement (34 years) and the National Guard retirement?
Q. I am retiring from federal service at 55 years old with 21 years of service. Can I get all my Thrift Savings Plan without penalty?
Q. I get a survivor monthly check. My husband worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture for 50 years. He passed away three years ago. What would I get if I remarry?
Q. Are my insurance premiums reduced when I am eligible for Medicare Advantage plans?
Q. I’m 100 percent disability rated from the Department of Veterans Affairs and have about 4 1/2 years military service. I am now a FERS employee and considering buying back my military time. If I do, will it affect my VA disability rating?
Q. What is the difference between being vested in the retirement service and being eligible for a retirement benefit?
Q. Does the U.S. Post Office have the option of not paying into Social Security? I’m asking because my father worked for 36 years for the Post Office and was denied Social Security with the explanation that he wasn’t covered by Social Security while a Postal Service employee. This makes no sense to me because I thought that coverage was automatic and mandatory. How is it at all possible for someone to not pay into Social Security when it’s taken out of your check? Is there an option of not paying into it? Is there something that my father, as…
Q. I was married 13 years to a CSRS federal employee. Upon his death I received the papers to file for benefits; however, I became very sick. Due to my decline in health, I was unable to return the papers. It has been two years. Is it too late to receive the benefits?
Q. Do your 20 years in a law enforcement-covered position have to be consecutive or can you move in and out of covered positions as long as you get a total of 20 by 50 years of age?
Q. I am a federal retiree in the CSRS retiree program. I retired after 42 years of government service and am now 67 years of age. I am presently under my husband’s State of Maryland health plan. He is retired also. During open season this year, we would like to change our health insurance plan to the Federal Government Blue Cross/Blue Insurance health plan. Can we do this?