Q. I retired from the U.S. Navy with 24 years of active duty service. I understand that I do not get any credit toward retirement but was told by other personnel that my rate of earnings for leave/vacation at my federal position should be adjusted. I will have worked in a federal position for three years next month, and my rate of leave/vacation earnings is 4 (basic). Please advise if my military time affects my rate of earning for vacation time. A. According to the Office of Personnel Management, for military retirees, annual leave accrual credit is given only for: Actual…
Q. I’m a FERS employee in a permanent, salaried position with the Air Force. I’m eligible for immediate retirement in December at age 60 with 28.5 years. With all the civilian cuts in the Department of Defense (no official reduction in force yet), are there any safeguards that protect people this close to retirement so they don’t have to worry about losing their jobs (and well-deserved benefits)? All I’ve found is: 1) my seniority (for RIF purposes), and 2) CFR Title 5, Ch. 1, SubCh. A, Part 351.606 and Part 630.212. A. No, there aren’t any safeguards as such. However, because you would meet the…
Q. Why do former military (not retired military) have to pay a deposit back into the retirement fund, especially if they’re offset? I am a CSRS offset employee, and my retirement annuity will decrease when I turn 62, when my Social Security will kick in. A. Anyone first hired on or after Oct. 1, 1982, has the option of making a deposit for active-duty service to get retirement credit for that time. Anyone first hired before that can make the deposit or not. For anyone who doesn’t, retires before age 62 and is eligible for a Social Security benefit at…
Q. I am currently a federal employee and my career is as follows: I joined the military reserves at 17 and was activated for the Gulf War, received two years of credible service. I began my civilian career at age 23 as a customs inspector (non-6 (c) coverage) and was there for three years. At age 26, I became an 1811 with the INS for two years. At age 29, I joined ATF as an 1811. Now I am 39. If I buy back my military time now, would that allow me to retire at age 46 with 20 years…
Q. I’ve been getting mixed messages about whether service at the armed forces military academies is creditable for annual leave accrual purposes. I’ve read Q&As on your site that say it is, but my human resources people say that it isn’t. Who’s right? A. According to the Office of Personnel Management: “Section 1115 of the NDAA for FY 2008 is the applicable provision of law that explicitly makes academy service time creditable for retirement — and therefore for annual leave accrual purposes. “Section 1115 of the NDAA amended title 5 United States Code so that it explicitly made academy service time creditable toward retirement…
Q. I recently turned 65 and am retired and collecting Social Security and have Medicare Part A. My husband works for the government and has self and family health coverage. Am I still covered under his policy? A. Yes.
Q. I am writing in regards to my husband’s Postal Service pension. He passed away 10 years ago at the age of 75. I’m now 84 and questioning whether I could be entitled to his pension for the time he served? A. You wouldn’t be entitled to a survivor benefit; however, if he didn’t take a refund of his retirement contributions, you would be entitled to receive those. To find out, write to the Office of Personnel Management, Retirement Services and Management Group, P.O. Box 655, Boyers, PA 16017-0045. Be sure to provide them with you deceased spouse’s full name,…
Q. I am currently on active duty. Prior to that, I was employed in the federal Bureau of Prisons. What would be my service computation date: the date I began as a civil servant or the date I came on active duty? A. For retirement purposes, your SCD would be the date you entered on duty as a civilian employee of the federal government. Your period of active duty wouldn’t be included in determining your length of service unless you returned to a federal civilian position and made a deposit to the retirement fund for that period of active-duty service.
Q. Under my current position description as an Integrated Resource Crewmember, I am required to sustain my arduous level of firefighter qualification. Does this qualify me for secondary firefighter retirement? I have a little over three years as a primary and switched to this position which does not have secondary firefighter retirement? A. To be eligible for the special retirement benefits for firefighters, you would have to have 20 years of service, starting in a primary position and either staying there or moving directly into a secondary position. Your agency is the one that will determine if your current position qualifies you for…
Q. Is the retirement high-3 average affected by taking less than six months leave without pay during the high-3 basic pay years? A. No.