Q: Am I right that my two, four-year term positions will count for retirement and after five years of continued employment I can keep my insurance? I am asking if my understanding is correct. A: If you were later appointed to a CSRS-covered position, those term positions will count toward an annuity if you make a deposit for that time to the retirement fund. If you were later appointed to a FERS-covered position, only term service performed before Jan. 1, 1989, would be creditable with a deposit. Term positions entered into on or after Jan. 1, 1989, aren’t creditable for…
Q: Are there any planned buyouts for 2011 or 2012? If so, for which agencies? A: We don’t keep an inventory of current offers, nor do we have advanced knowledge of future ones. I suggest you continue to visit our website and, better yet, subscribe to the Federal Times to be sure you have the latest information.
Q: I am thinking about buying back my time on active duty (22 years) to make a deposit so that I can retire early from the Foreign Service. If I do, will I lose any of my military retirement privileges? A: If you make a deposit for your active duty service, just before you retire from your civilian job, you will also have to waive your military retired pay. Doing so will have no affect on any other entitlements you have based on your active duty service.
Q: I’m a 28 year federal employee under CSRS, but I also paid into Social Security from 1963 until 1980. Assuming I ever retire, will I receive any Social Security benefits in addition to my federal retirement pay? A: If you have fewer than 40 credits (10 years) under Social Security, you won’t receive any Social Security benefits. If you have 40 or more, you will. However, because you will be receiving an annuity from a retirement system where you didn’t pay Social Security taxes, you would be subject to the windfall elimination provision. The WEP would reduce your benefits…
Q: I have 2.5 years of credible service with the U.S Postal Service. I will be accepting a GS/GG job very shortly. Does the time count toward vacation or retirement time? What type of documentation do I need to provide when I’m hired in three weeks? A: Yes, it counts. And the information about your prior employment will be included in your official personnel folder (OPF), which either will be forwarded to your new agency or given to you to do that.
Q: What are the terminal leave provisions for the last pay period prior to retirement? Is it not possible to use one’s accumulated annual leave (either all or some) instead of receiving the annual leave payment after separation? A: The federal government doesn’t have any terminal leave provisions. The only way you can take annual leave in any amount is if you apply for it and your request is approved by your supervisor.
Q: I am an air traffic controller with the DoD. I will reach 20 years of service at age 59 years and 2 months. As an air traffic controller, I will face mandatory retirement. 1) Since I will not be eligible for Social Security, are there benefit programs available to me to bridge the gap from mandatory retirement to Social Security? 2) Will my civil service government pension impact the amount I receive from Social Security? 3) I draw a military retirement pension; will this pension impact my Social Security benefits? A: You will receive the special retirement supplement, which…
Q: I retired Sept. 29, 2010, under discontinued service as a National Guard Technician and am eligible for an immediate annuity. My military service was from September 1977 through April 1984 (6 ½ years) and my tech service time was from Aug. 11, 1985, through Sept. 29, 2010 (just over 25 years). My military time has been bought back. I was born in 1959 and was 51 years old and 3 months when I retired. Will I get the FERS supplement? A: Yes, you’ll be eligible for the special retirement supplement when you reach your minimum retirement age, which is 56.…
Q: I asked my HR person if I could retire this September and this is the answer: “I’m sorry but you will not be able to retire in September of this year. What you could do is resign and request a deferred annuity from OPM. Your annuity commencement date would be 2/6/2016. Otherwise you will have to wait until 3/13/2012 for voluntary retirement or 2/6/2012 to become eligible for the MRA +10 option.” What is the difference in money and time for starting monthly checks between regular retirement and the MRA + 10 option? A: While there is no difference in…
Q: I was employed as a stenographer/secretary at the FBI in New York City from February, 1967, through May, 1971, resigning to start a family. At the present time, I am a six year, seven month employee of the Township of Andover, in Newton, N.J., a municipality of the State of New Jersey. Is there a possibility that I could buy back my FBI employment time, to add to my New Jersey pension time? If you cannot provide an answer, would you direct me to the proper contact to find out this info? A: First, a redeposit of retirement contributions can only be made…