Q. My husband and I are currently in Federal Employees Retirement System interim disability status as our claims have not been finalized. Social Security has denied us both. We do not understand what happens when our claim is finalized. Do we both only get 40 percent of our high-3, even though we will not have Social Security to supplement our income? I have 23 years at a high-3 of $78,000 and my husband has 14 years at a $55,000 high-3. Any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated. A. Because you weren’t approved for Social Security disability benefits, for…
Q. My son is about to turn 22 and his dental coverage is ending. We are with United Concordia. Can you tell me if any other federal dental programs are available that will cover a full-time college student after the age of 22? Thank you. A. The Federal Employee Dental and Vision Benefits program only provides coverage for unmarried dependent children under age 22. However, if your son is covered under your Federal Employees Health Benefits Program enrollment, the more limited dental services available there would continue to age 26.
Q. I was hired July 29, 1985, under the Federal Employees Retirement System with the Defense Logistics Agency. I was never given an option for the older retirement system. Is there anything I can do after 26 years of service? I work for the Department of Housing and Urban Development now. Am I correct that FERS started in 1987, not 1985? A. You are in the right retirement system. Here’s why. Because you were first hired between Dec. 31, 1983, and Jan. 1, 1987, you were placed in an interim retirement system: the Civil Service Retirement System and Social Security.…
Q. I am under civil service offset and in the retirement red zone. I am in the process of updating paperwork and need to know which life insurance forms to fill out. On file, I already have Designation of Beneficiary (Civil Service Retirement System SF 2808). I picked up a benefits package with forms and it contains Designation of Beneficiary (Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance SF 2823). The election form is also FEGLI (not CSRS). Is there a difference in these? A. The SF 2808 is for CSRS employees; the SF 2823 is for FERS employees.
Q. Worked 33 years for the U.S. Postal Service under Civil Service Retirement System and four years in the Marine Corps. Back in the 1970s, I bought back my USMC time so I could draw both Social Security and civil service retirements as I worked two jobs. Now, with offset in place, I cannot draw Social Security due to USPS retirement. Can I get a refund for my buyback payment since I will never draw Social Security? A. As a CSRS employee, there wouldn’t be an “offset” that would cancel any Social Security benefit to which you might be entitled. Instead, you’d be subject…
Q. I am Chapter 38, with 17.5 years of federal service. I am 55 years old and under the Federal Employees Retirement System. How can I early out and keep insurance? If I do not touch the retirement until 62, is there a penalty? A. You can’t “early out” because you haven’t met the new age and service requirements to retire: age 50 with 20 years or any age with 25.
Q. I currently have self-only health insurance coverage because my spouse’s health insurance is paid by her employer. I will retire in December 2016. She will retire the same date. At that time, her employer will no longer pay her premiums. Since I have had my coverage as self-only for the five years prior to retirement, may I change my insurance to self and family coverage? A. Yes, you can do that during the next open season.
Q. I am a Civil Service Retirement System offset employee retired on disability prior to age 62. I also worked in the private sector and contributed significantly to Social Security to qualify. I receive both Social Security Disability Insurance and a disability pension. Will my Social Security be offset even though my SS contributions came from both CSRS offset and private industry contributions? I also have Medicare and wonder if my health care coverage under CSRS offset conflicts with my Medicare coverage. A. According to the Office of Personnel Management, your annuity will be offset by the amount of your Social Security disability…
Q. I plan to retire at age 58 after 20 years of service and take the penalty. Am I able to use my unused sick leave for credit toward my retirement? I am under the Federal Employees Retirement System. A. If you retire now through Dec. 31, 2013, you’ll receive half credit for any unused sick leave. If you retire after that, you’ll get full credit.
Q. I separated from the Army in 1997 after nine years of active service and three years of National Guard service. I separated under the provisions of the Special Separation Benefit. My separation benefit was $38,000. I have recently received a job offer as a GS-12 employee. I’m 46 years old and wish to understand if buying back my military time would prove beneficial. Thank you. A. If you become a federal employee and make a deposit for your nine years of active-duty service, you’ll be given credit for that time in determining your length of service and in your annuity calculation. As a rule, you’d…