Q. Is there currently a mandatory retirement age for employees of the Postal Service? A. Not unless they are special category employees, such as law enforcement officers or firefighters.
Q. On www.ssa.gov/retire2/military.htm#2002 it states that between the years 1957 and 2001, Special Extra Earnings can be credited to your Social Security benefit for active-duty military service between the above mentioned years. I started drawing Social Security in 2010. How do I determine if these Special Extra Earnings were applied? A. The site you included clearly states the following (emphasis added): From 1957 through 1967, we will add the extra credits to your record when you apply for Social Security benefits. From 1968 through 2001, you do not need to do anything to receive these extra credits. The credits were…
Q. I started my civil service career on Sept. 28, 1983. I was originally under the CSRS system until 1988 and I was offered a chance to change over to FERS. This was offered to employees who had under five years of service. I chose to change to FERS. They repaid me all of my monies that I had contributed to CSR retirement (7 percent annually) except 19 percent. I am assuming that this 19 percent was to pay into the FERS system. My question is, does all of my time count under FERS toward my retirement computation for years…
Q. I noticed the article on your site located here: http://blogs.federaltimes.com/federal-retirement/2010/04/27/service-academy-time-and-accrued-leave. I have been having a heck of a time getting my agency to credit my service academy time for annual leave. Two reasons for this: 1) I’m the first person to ask about this and 2) Our HR department doesn’t have much experience with military members. Is there any way to get a note or email from OPM stating this? Or perhaps a point of contact who can provide something That is about the only thing I can do to get my agency to credit that time. Their response…
Q. My wife, age 63, is retired from FERS and draws a monthly retirement check. When I turn 67 in three years and begin drawing my Social Security benefit, is she able to draw a spousal Social Security benefit (50 percent of mine) as well as her full FERS retirement check? A. You’ll find the answer at www.socialsecurity.gov/OACT/quickcalc/spouse.html.
Q. I retired in January 2011 from the Postal Service with 32 years of service. I received my letter from OPM detailing my offset. Does this mean that my Social Security will be reduced or just my civil service monthly payment. None of this is very clear. A. It sounds like you are a CSRS Offset employee (CSRS and Social Security). If so, your CSRS annuity would be offset at age 62 by the amount of Social Security benefit you earned while covered by CSRS Offset. The offset applies, whether or not you apply for a Social Security benefit.
Q. If an employee is covered under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and is receiving military pay as a result of a service-connected disability, will/he she be entitled to receive credit for both retirement and leave purposes without waiving their military retired pay? What are the exceptions to the rule? A. You would only be able to get credit for that period of service without having to waive your retired pay if you were awarded it on account of a service-connected disability either incurred in combat with an enemy of the U.S. or caused by an instrumentality of war and…
Q. I’m a current civil service employee under CSRS with almost 40 years of employment. I may retire next year and am currently 64 years old. My question is, can I collect my deceased husband’s Social Security benefits? He worked in the private sector. If not, please explain why? A. If you are still working, you’d be entitled to a reduced Social Security survivor benefit at age 60; however, when you retire, you’d be subject to the government pension offset provision of law. The GPO will reduce that survivor benefit by $2 for every $3 you receive in your CSRS…
Q. I have now passed the 42-year mark and still pay deductions to CSRS. If I request a refund or additional annuity when I retire, does the government contribution (which seems to be continuing according to my earning statement) become part of the equation? A. No, it doesn’t. When you retire, you will only receive a refund of your own contributions, plus accrued interest. OPM will notify you about the amount and offer you the option of accepting a refund or using the money to buy additional annuity, which isn’t subject to the 80 percent limit.
Q. I’m planning to retire early this year. After carrying a 240-hour leave balance into 2012, I’d like to work until mid-February, then use up the 240-plus hours of leave until I return to the office on my separation date the last Friday of March. Over the past five years, my unit has consistently hassled me when I request leave well in advance of the desired dates; I’ve reason to be concerned it could be much worse this time. My question(s): Is an employee entitled to take earned leave in this way, as a sort of “terminal leave?” Can an organization…