Q: If someone who is eligible for an immediate retirement annuity chooses to simply quit federal employment and submit for the annuity at a later time, where does that person apply for the annuity? A: You can apply on your own. Just go to the Office of Personnel Management website and click on Find Form(s). Fill out an SF 2801 (Civil Service Retirement System) or SF 3107 (Federal Employees Retirement System). After you’re done, print a copy and send it to the following address: Office of Personnel Management, Retirement Operations Center, PO Box 45, Boyers, PA 16017-0045 and mark it…
Q: Is military active duty for training time creditable toward total years of civilian service for retirement purposes under the Civil Service Retirement System or Federal Employees Retirement System? If so, has it always been that way? If it has not always been that way, when did it change? Please include any relevant law or regulation. A: You’ll find what you’re looking for on the Office of Personnel Management website here.
Q: I am under the Federal Employees Retirement System and have been employed by the Environmental Protection Agency for 26 years. I am a GS-12/6, and am 48 1/2 years old. I would like to know exactly when can I retire and any other related details. A: The earliest you could retire is when you reach your minimum retirement age, which in your case is 56. Because you will have more than 30 years of service at that time, you’ll be able to retire immediately and receive an unreduced annuity.
Q: I am a firefighter/law enforcement retiree under the Civil Service Retirement System. I have been retired for seven years and am interested in returning to work. A local federal agency is interested in having me work for them in a seasonal position as a GS-4. I would work from approximately May to October and would receive no benefits, as these types of positions/employees are not eligible for health insurance or retirement benefits. I would be paying into Social Security, which I am currently not collecting. The agency cannot seem to get a clear answer as to if it would…
Q. I am currently obtaining my health care benefits through the VA (disabled vet). I will be 65 years old in May. When I turn 65, I understand that I will fall under Medicare. I will then be eligible for Medicare Part A. Will I also be eligible for Part B? Also, if eligible for Part B, will I have to pay for this benefit? What do I have to do to be eligible for both part A and part B without having to pay premiums for Part B? If I hold off applying for Social Security until age 66,…
Q. Is there a distinct advantage or disadvantage to retiring at the beginning of 2012 or end of 2011? I realize that lump-sum payments would be better tax wise but wonder if Dec. 31 or Jan 1 has other consequences? A. For most employees, the 2011 leave year ends on Dec. 31, 2011 and the new leave year begins on Jan. 1, 2012. If you were to leave after Dec. 31, any annual leave you had in excess of 240 hours would be forfeited. Further, if you are a FERS-covered employee, you wouldn’t be on the annuity roll until February.…
Q. I am 72 years old and have 13 years of federal service, 10 with my agency. I am healthy expect for emphysema, which continues to affect my breathing. I have collected Social Security benefits since I was 65. I am considering retirement because the breathing issue makes it difficult for me to travel. Is federal disability retirement an option for me or should I just consider normal retirement? A. Because you are over age 62, there wouldn’t be any difference in the benefits you’d receive as a disability or regular retiree. The annuities would both be based on your actual…
Q. I am a CSRS employee who will retire in January 2013. My husband is FERS and will continue to work for a few more years before retiring. My question is: Which would be more beneficial to us as a couple, my paying for health insurance (self and family) out of my retirement (I currently pay for it now) or for me to drop it and let him pick it up as an active civil service member? Will it matter down the line who carries the coverage? A. Unless he is employed by the U.S. Postal Service, which pays more of…
Q. I retired on Jan. 2, 2010, with 219.75 hours annual leave under CSRS with over 45 years of service at GS9, Step 10 for over 20 years at that step. DFAS said I should be paid 62.25 hours at a 31.05 salary rate and 157.5 hours at a 32.27 salary rate. I disagree but they said it was correct. I feel my annual leave should be paid out at the 2010 salary rate for GS9, Step 10. Also, can you answer the legality of receiving base pay times 26 pay periods that is short a couple hundred dollars instead of…
Q I am a 48-year-old male. I am a letter carrier for USPS. Due to unfortunate circumstances, I will be applying for Social Security disability and disability retirement from USPS. Here’s the thing. I have had two previous surgeries on my spine, both covered by worker’s compensation. Right now I am using all my sick leave until worker’s compensation receives all of the information it needs. Is there a separate retirement through OWCP or do I need to file for disability through the Postal Service? I am thinking of separating from the Postal Service because of my financial situation. If…