Q: From 1968 through September 1978 I worked in the private sector and paid Social Security. My taxed Social Security earnings for those 11 years were $40,520. According to the Social Security Administration, seven of those years were “substantial earnings years.” Beginning in October 1978, I entered federal civil service as a federal law enforcement officer and paid no Social Security. In June of 1983, I left federal service and re-entered the private sector. From June 1983 through August 1985, I remained in the private sector. My total taxed Social Security earnings for those three years were $74,650. According to…

Q: I worked six years as rural mail-carrier substitute. There is no retirement plan for subs. After that, I have worked 21 years as a regular rural mail carrier. Have you heard of any new deal where those six years as a sub could be included in my retirement plan? A: I haven’t heard of any change being made or even contemplated.

Q: I’m about to receive my pension from the Navy because I’m about to turn 60. I’m also a FERS retiree. Would I be able to receive both annuities? What would happen to my FERS annuity supplement? A: You’ll be able to receive both annuities. Further, your special retirement supplement won’t be affected because it would only be reduced if your earnings from wages or self employment exceeded the annual limit. An annuity, regardless of who pays it, is not considered to be earnings.

Q: I retired from the Army in 1993 with 20 years of service. I retired as warrant officer, no disability, and began collecting retired pay in 1993. In 2000, I began employment has a civilian with the Army Corps of Engineers. I have paid into Social Security since joining the military in 1973, including private-sector jobs. When I stop working, will I be able to receive my full military retirement pay, full Social Security and full civilian retirement pay, or are these connected in some way that means I would receive less. A: Yes, you will be able to recieve…

Q: Regarding your May 24 post, “Credit for Military Service,” your last paragraph states, in part, “If you are approved for regular LWOP, you make take up to six months leave within a calendar year and get credit for that time without having to make a deposit.” Could you please identify the statute that you draw that from? A: Title II – Leave, Civilian Personnel Law Manual, Chapter 5, Part F – Leave Without Pay authorizes agencies, at their sole discretion, to grant leave without pay to its employees. While a separate authority exists to protect the rights of members…

Q: My husband payed into a civilian federal employee insurance policy for 28 years. He was riffed and retired in July 2001, but the insurance was still taken out of his retirement check on a monthly basis. He was notified by the federal insurance plan that he was no longer on the insurance plan as of age 65. He is now 67. What happened to the insurance policy and/or it’s value? A: At age 65, his premiums stopped and the value of his Basic insurance began to decline at the rate of 2 percent per month. It will continue to…

Q: My ex-husband is a CSRS employee and is eligible to retire. I know that I am entitled to a survivor annuity whether he dies before or after he retires. Will my survivor annuity be reduced by any Social Security that I receive? A: Your survivor annuity would not be reduced, and you would be able to receive the full amount of any Social Security to which you are entitled based on your own work record.

Q: I worked for a state university for more than a year before becoming a federal employee, covered by CSRS, in 1978. I believe retirement contributions were taken from my pay, but they were a state retirement system ( Hawaii ), not Social Security. Can I buy this time for my CSRS benefit now? A: No, you cannot.

Q: I am a FERS employee, and I would like to know how OPM calculates the Supplement annuity (this is in addition to the FERS amount) for someone who retires with more than 20 years of service before their 62nd birthday. Do they base it on one’s salary or years of service? A: The special retirement supplement approximates the Social Security benefit you earned as a FERS employee. It is paid to those who retire after their minimum retirement age with 30 years of service, at age 60 or later with 20 years of service, and to those who are…

Q: I have a question regarding locality pay determination. I have been accepted to attend the Army War College starting in July. I will be there for 10 months. Since I am at Fort Monroe and will be reassigned to the Pentagon but will be TDY to Carlisle Barracks to attend the War College, shouldn’t my locality pay be determined by where I am assigned? A: While I don’t know what your official duty station should be, I can give you some information that may be helpful. Certain location-based pay entitlements, such as locality pay, are based on the location…

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