Q: If a person retired as a GM-14 supervisor under the Civil Service Retirement System, can that person be brought back as a rehired annuitant in a supervisory position? A: There is nothing in law or regulation that would prohibit that; however, you’d need to check with the agency that is considering hiring you to see whether there is a policy that would prevent such an appointment.
Q: I retired July 3, 1983, from Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany, Ga. I misplaced my SF-50. Where can I go to get a copy of this form? Is there a phone number I can call? A: You can contact the National Personnel Records Center via phone (314-801-9250) or email (cpr.center@nara.gov). NPRC staff will let you know the procedures to follow when submitting a written request.
Q: My wife could receive an offer to retire early sometime this year because of budget cuts. She is 57 years old and has 27 years of federal service under the Federal Employees Retirement System. She will receive the FERS annuity supplement supplement until she is 62. Will she have to start taking her Social Security benefits at age 62 because she is receiving the annuity supplement, or can she hold off taking her Social Security until a later date? A: While the special retirement supplement ends at age 62, there is no requirement that a retiree apply for a…
Q: I am 61 years old and have 31 years of federal service under the Civil Service Retirement System. I plan to retire in April 2012. Does it look like we will be offered a buyout? If so, is there anything that would keep me from being part of the offer? A: We have no information about which agencies, if any, will be offering buyouts, and even less information about which employees would be offered one. However, if you were offered one, nothing would prevent you from accepting it. The fact that you are already eligible to retire is irrelevant.
Q: I requested retirement calculations for mid-2014 and recently learned that after I left the government in September 1984, the retirement money I withdrew would have to be repaid in order to receive the benefits for that money. I withdrew $3,700; repayment with accumulated interest would be more than $22,000. I returned to the government in March 1987 under the Civil Service Retirement System Offset program. I thought I read that if a person who receives money under CSRS can also receive full Social Security benefits (no windfall) if that person has enough credits with Social Security (approximately 30 years).…
Q: I have been a full-time Federal employee for 37-plus years under the Civil Service Retirement System. I am considering retiring by year’s end and working on a part-time basis (64 hours per pay period) for the next six to eight months. Will this affect my monthly retirement annuity calculation? A: Yes, it will. However, the shorter the period of part-time service is, the less its impact. You’ll find the formula used to compute an annuity with part-time service on the Office of Personnel Management website here (scroll down to Section 55B2.1-1). Although this section refers to Federal Employees Retirement…
Q: Please explain what CSRS Offset is. A: Civil Service Retirement System Offset employees are those who are covered by both CSRS and Social Security. In general, there are two categories of employees who are covered by CSRS Offset. First, those who had a break in service that exceeded one year and ended after 1983 and had at least five years of creditable service as of January 1, 1987. Second, employees who were hired before Jan. 1, 1984, acquired CSRS interim coverage between 1984 and 1987, and had at least five years of creditable civilian service by Jan. 1, 1987.…
Q: I retired under the Civil Service Retirement System Offset pension plan in 2001 (early buyout retirement at age 51 with 23 years of service). My husband passed away in August 2006. I started receiving a survivor benefit based on his Social Security earnings when I turned 60. My question is, should my CSRS Offset pension have been reduced by the amount of the Social Security that I am receiving based on his earnings, or does that reduction not take effect until I turn 62 and then is based on my Social Security benefit? The amount I am receiving as…
Q: I have been married to my husband for 28 years. He worked for the post office the entire length of our marriage. He is going to continue working for another five years, even though he is eligible to retire now. What happens if he passes away before he retires? An I still eligible to receive half of his retirement? How do I protect myself to make sure I can depend on receiving half of his retirement? A: You don’t need to do anything. If he were to die while still employed by the government you would be entitled by…
Q: I’m currently an employee under the Civil Service Retirement System drawing a monthly payment from Social Security under my ex-husband’s benefits. I’ve called and visited the local Social Security office and can’t seem to get a straight answer: I understand that I can’t draw Social Security in my own right because I am a CSRS employee, but will I continue to be able to receive Social Security from my ex-husband’s (now deceased) Social Security account? A: You might be able to receive survivor Social Security benefit while you are still working. To find out what the eligibility requirements are…