Q: I have been retired from CSRS for five years. I just saw some briefing slides on “Non-Foreign Area Retirement Equity Assurance Act of 2009.” It mentioned phasing in locality pay over three years (2011-2012). I am a math analyst, and I like taxes, but still can’t understand the slides. Looks like an advantage, but I’m still trying to understand. Please help explain this. A: The purpose of the act is to phase in the conversion of non-foreign area cost-of-living adjustments — which aren’t included in the computation of an annuity — to locality pay, which is included.
Q: I started at the Bureau of Land Management July 19, 2009, with no previous federal experience, except U.S. Army. I retired from the Army (early retirement) with about 17 years and 6 months active duty and six years Reserve. I have been told that as I retired from the Army, I am not due more leave time; I need to start at the bottom. Some people say that my Army time should count toward years of service for more leave. Can you enlighten me? A: For retired members of the armed forces, annual leave credit is only given for 1) actual…
Q: My wife and I are both CSRS retirees. During our active careers and up to this point in our retirement she has been covered under my family health plan. Now that our youngest son is in the Air Force we want to switch to two single plans. Is that possible? Do we have to do it during open season? A: Yes, you can switch to two self only enrollments, but the only time you can do it is during the annual open season.
Q: If I retire at the beginning of January before the end of the current leave year, could I receive payment for 568 hours of unused annual leave — maximum carryover of 360 hours of unused annual leave from the previous year, plus my 208 hours of unused annual leave in the current year. I am allowed to carry over a maximum of 360 hours of accumulated annual leave from one leave year to the next. A: Yes, you can. However, you’d have to retire no later than Jan. 1, 2011, which is the end of the current leave year.
Q: I was hired by the USPS on Jan. 5, 1985, as a casual. Two weeks later, on Jan. 19, 1985, I was converted to career status. I was told at the time that was because of a new retirement system going into effect, and I have been in FERS my entire career. My question(s): Is there a significance to the date Jan. 19, 1985? If FERS did not become effective until Jan. 1, 1987, was I placed in the wrong retirement system? If that is the case is there anything that can be done at this point in time to…
Q: For retirement purposes my date of “separation” is planned to be Jan. 1, 2011. I chose this date so that I would accrue leave for the last pay period. I am, however, concerned if I will lose my “use or lose” leave balance if I retire/separate on Jan. 1, 2011, as opposed to Dec. 31, 2010. A: Don’t be concerned. You can either retire at the close of business on Dec. 31, 2010 or on Jan. 1, 2011, which is the end of the leave year, and get paid for the leave you accrued in the last pay period.…
Q: I am a DoD civilian stationed in Europe and receive the full benefits (housing, overseas post allowance, etc.). My wife transferred from a U.S. Government civilian agency in the states and continues to work for the same agency in Germany. She only receives the base salary and no other benefits. My question is is she entitled to receive overseas post allowance? Currently I receive the family post allowance rate but would gladly switch to the single rate for her to receive her overseas single rate post allowance as well (we have no dependents). Her agency says that they do not have to pay any type…
Q: I am a letter carrier with the Postal Service and am under CSRS. In 2006 I received a divorce and as part of the settlement my ex-wife will receive a portion of my retirement. I became eligible to retire at the end of 2008 when I reached 55 years of age. However, for financial reasons I cannot afford to retire at this time. Can my ex receive her share of my retirement now even though I continue to work and am not retired? A: As a rule, we’re not qualified to answer questions about divorce; however, I can tell you that your…
Q: Has the government considered raising the earnings limit, given the financial strain many seniors are facing? Why does COLA have to be tied to the earnings limit? A: The method used to determine the Social Security earnings limit and cost-of-living adjustments are governed by the same law, and are based on the CPI-W. Because the CPI-W has stayed in negative territory, no adjustments were made in 2010, and none will be made in 2011.
Q: I have been on the phone on several occasions talking to BCBS customer service people and all seem to be at a loss and I never get the same answer to what I believe should be a simple question. I am a federal employee currently covered by BCBS under the standard program self only. My wife arrived in country this past March and now that open season is here I want to add her to my policy. I know I have to upgrade to the family plan; I am all for that. Please tell me what I must do…