Browsing: benefits

Q: I have been working for the federal government since January 1989. My first four years were as a temporary employee. It seems I can only buy back about six to nine months of this. I am under the FERS retirement and it has designated 56 as my minimum retirement age. I know that I would get reduced benefits, but I would like to retire with 25 full years. Can I retire with 25 years before my MRA? If I can, what would the reduced benefits be? I am looking to retire as early as I possibly can from federal government. I am not worried about the…

Recently a reader who is approaching retirement sent the following question to the Federal Times website: “What will get me the most bang for the buck, start using a lot of sick leave or going straight for the annuity?” I answered: “This is mother speaking: ‘Son, it’s attitudes like yours that give federal employees a bad name.’ Sick leave may only be used for approved purposes. Using it just because you want to is a violation of law.” Tough words, but true. Sick leave is a benefit that may only be used when appropriate. I think one reason employees consider inappropriate…

Q: I’m asking this on behalf of my father. He is 66 years old and is not currently receiving any form of federal or civil service annuity, although I suspect be may be eligible for one. He served for four years in the active military (1962-1966) and nine years in the national guard (1967-76). He was a civil service employee for 21 years as well (1967-1988). He left his civil service job to take care of his ailing parents and never returned to a government job. He has never thought to investigate if he is eligible for some sort of…

Q: I worked for the Defense Department (Long Beach Naval Shipyard) from 1980 until 1990. I had a retirement fund which I paid into. When I left the shipyard in 1990, I took out my retirement fund in a lump sum. Am I eligible for any benefits from the government besides the retirement fund I paid into. I am now 63 years old. Can you explain to me how that works. Since I started working in 1980, I believe I must have been under the Civil Service Retirement System, I worked as a GS-4 for three years, then I transferred…

Q: My son has recently been dropped from my health care because he reached the age of 22. I have heard that there might be an extension of health benefits for dependents. Has there been any decision on this? Also, are there any provisions of adding dependents after the open health benefits period, which is approaching. A: Extending the age at which dependents may be covered by the Federal Employees Health Benefits program would require a change in the law. Although such a change was proposed by the previous Office of Personnel Management director, Congress has so far has taken…