Q: With the impending increase to our Federal Employees Retirement System contributions, can anyone opt out of FERS? A: There isn’t an impending increase in FERS contributions, only proposals. Whether anyone would be able to opt out if such a change were made would depend on the wording in the law. However, such a provision would be highly unlikely.
Q: I will have approximately 372 hours of annual leave on the books prior to my Oct. 31 retirement date. Can I take all of my leave at once prior to my retirement date, or do I have to accept a lump-sum payment? A: The civilian federal government doesn’t provide for terminal leave. You can only use your annual leave in that manner if it is appoved by your supervisor.
Q: Can you earn two federal retirements? For example, a military and a civil service retirement? A: Yes. Each will be based on its own period of service and computed under its own rules.
Q: I’m a Civil Service Retirement System employee. Is there a time limit after I retire from my civilian job to buy back my military time and get annuity credit for it? A: To get credit for any period of active-duty military service in your annuity computation, you must complete the deposit before the final adjudication of your annuity by the Office of Personnel Management.
Q: I am about to retire from the National Labor Relations Board. My agency has asked if I would perform hearings and other tasks that could not be accomplished by any local person due to specialized qualifications and experience. Is there a procedure for me to collect my full annuity and get paid by an hourly rate with no offsets or reductions? A: Your agency would have one of two avenues to pursue if it wants to bring you back on board and waive the normal offset to your annuity. It could ask the Office of Personnel Management to approve…
Q: I am a 48-year-old employee with 18 years of government service in the U.S. Postal Service and the Veterans Affairs Department. I am on a two-week leave of absence due to stress from my supervisor and would like to resign without filing action so that I may find other government employment. What is the longest unpaid absence I can take so that I may try another type of employment while on unpaid leave status? A: If you didn’t report to work, you’d be considered to be absent without leave and your agency could begin the process of separating you…
Q: I read that the best day to retire under the Civil Service Retirement System at the end of leave year 2013 is Dec. 28, which confuses me because we’re always told to retire the end of the month or within the first three days of the month. I know the Dec. 28 is the end of a pay period, but wouldn’t it work out just as well if I retired on Jan. 2 or 3 since I’d get paid for the holiday of Jan. 1? A: You can retire on any day that suits you. However, keep these facts…
Q: I was active-duty Navy for five years, then worked for the U.S. Postal Service under the Federal Employees Retirement System for seven years, during which time I bought back my military time. After 9/11, I went back into military service (active-duty Army), and I will retire with 20 years active service. Who do I need to contact to get a refund of my deposit with the USPS? A: While you can’t get a refund solely of your deposit for active-duty service, you can get a refund of all your contributions and deposits to the retirement fund. Download a copy…
Q: I am getting ready to retire. I worked for the government from 1968 to 1972, then worked in the private sector and earned my 40 quarters in Social Security. I returned to work for the federal government in 1984 as a Civil Service Retirement System Offset employee. I was told that because I earned my 40 quarters from the private sector that my government annuity would not be reduced: I will get a full government annuity and a full Social Security check. Is that right? A: By law, your CSRS annuity will be reduced at age 62 by the…
Q: I will be 60 in December 2013 but will not have 20 years of service until April 2014. I have 1,000 hours of sick leave. Can I use that leave beginning Jan. 1, 2014, to reach the April milestone? A: No. You must meet the actual age and earned service requirements to be eligible to retire. Unused sick leave can only be added after you meet those requirements.