Q. What month are Medicare premiums deducted from Social Security checks? I always thought that January premiums were deducted from the January benefit that is received in February. I’ve been told by Social Security that’s not true and that my Medicare premium for January 2012 was deducted from my December 2011 benefit that I received in January. Is that correct? A. Yes. Medicare premiums must be paid at the beginning of the month, not retroactively.
Q. Our organization is downsizing and planning a reduction in force of 10 out of 30 people. In our notification briefing, the agency said the RIF competitive area would include only those 10 employees and no one else. I am a veteran with more than 30 years of creditable service and will not be given the opportunity to bump anyone. The competitive area is so small that even my own subordinates in the same career field are not included in the RIF. Can the agency arbitrarily set up a small competitive area in a RIF to eliminate bumping? A. There…
Q. I am a Federal CSRS retiree. I have my FEHB insurance deducted from my annuity by OPM. Can I deduct my Blue Cross Blue Shield premiums from my federal income taxes? A. You can include the premiums on Schedule A of Form 1040; however, the amount wouldn’t be deductible unless your total medical expenses exceed your adjusted gross income by 7.5 percent for the year.
Q. I am getting ready to retire in three weeks after 37 years with the Civil Service Retirement System. While working with the personnel office and getting the package ready to send to OPM, I brought up about the CSRS contribution balance. Back in 1986 they converted to the new system and I had a rather large balance in the CSRS contributions. We noticed that our balance went to zero when the new pay stubs were issued. They told us not to worry back then and the money would be added back in when we retired. My current leave and…
Q. I’m on active duty until September with 15 years of service, but because of the recent Enlisted Review Board, the Navy has forced me out. Are there government jobs that will employ service members with this amount of timed served and allow them to still receive a 20 year retirement? A. If you are hired by the federal government, your active duty military service would be creditable if you made a deposit to the civilian retirement system. However, to be eligible to retire, you would have to be employed as a civilian for five years to be vested in…
Q. I was approved for disability retirement through FERS and was a part-time flexible carrier. Before I was separated, I was converted to full time in May. In July, my disability annuity was approved by OPM. My annuity payment was reduced as a part time. Does being a part-time employee but doing 40 hours a week throughout my employment and converting to full time before OPM’s approval entitle me to get benefits as a full-time employee? Can they do this knowing I worked full-time hours all the time? Also what about hours paid from Office of Workers’ Compensation Program (OWCP)…
Q. Several years ago, I was granted 16 months of leave without pay for a medical condition. While I was on LWOP, I made no contributions to FERS so I assume I should notify my Human Resources Office to buy back this time. Is this correct? If so, is there a specific form to complete? I recently bought back 25 months of active-duty military service so I assume LWOP would be handled in a similar manner. A. An aggregate nonpay status of six months in any calendar year is creditable service. Coverage continues at no cost to you while in…
Q. I was placed on a FERS disability retirement by the FAA after suffering a stroke in 2005. The FAA revoked my class II medical, otherwise I would be able to return to my previous position. All my work for the FAA was conducted in either Kansas or Utah. In 2008, I obtained a job with a private company in N.J. In 2011, I was terminated and I requested unemployment benefits. The New Jersey unemployment office is stating I am not entitled to unemployment benefits due to my FERS retirement. Is this true? A. Because this isn’t a question about…
Q. I am a FERS employee. When I retire, I do not wish to name my spouse for a survivor annuity because I do not want my annuity reduced. (She has a secure financial plan in place). However, I do want her to continue to be included in my FEHB plan after I retire. I am currently enrolled in a family option. I was told that she cannot be included in my health benefit package (after my retirement) unless I at least partially name her for a survivor annuity. Is this true? A. You are required by law to provide…
Q. In a recent post, you answer that if given a specific reduction in force notice and you have the combination of age and service needed for immediate or early retirement, you can retire. Would this be the minimum retirement age and or age 50 with 20 years of service? Will this incur any penalty? A. If given a specific RIF notice, you can take early retirement if you meet one of the age and service combinations: age 50 with 20 years service or at any age with 25. If you are a FERS employee, there won’t be any age penalty…