Q: A Civil Service Retirement System employee recently retired and was told by a representative of the Social Security Administration that because he qualified for Social Security after he retired under CSRS he would not be affected by the windfall elimination provision. The rep said that he is only affected by the WEP if he had his 40 quarters during or before his CSRS employment. I can’t find any documentation supporting this. A: The SSA rep was confusing the windfall elimination provision with what’s often referred to as “Catch 62.” The WEP applies to the Social Security benefit of anyone…
Browsing: Civil Service Retirement System
Q: I am employed by the Defense Department under the Civil Service Retirement System. My service computation date is Dec. 17, 1977, and I will turn 62 on Nov. 16. Prior to entering civil service, I earned enough quarters to qualify for Social Security. I have not selected a retirement date, but I am considering Dec. 31 of this year or January 2011 to receive a payout from the National Security Personnel System. If I retire Dec. 31, I will be reimbursed for all of my annual leave, but after that reimbursement I would be limited to the maximum amount…
Q. I left the VA after 10 years of service and was under the civil service retirement program. When I left I was a GS-5, step 4. I was employed from June 27,1977 until July 5,1987. I left my retirement funds and did not withdraw them. I thought I might return to federal service someday. I am now 57 years old. As things turned out I did not return and now I am approaching retirement age. I have been told that I may not be able to draw both Social Security and civil service retirement. I need to understand if…
Q. I’ve got 37 years in the CSRS system and I’m 57 years old. I also have 37 quarters in the Social Security system. Would it be advantageous for me upon retirement to earn the remaining quarters to become eligible for Social Security? I’m hoping to retire within two years and wanted to know about the offset with my annuity within the CSRS system? A. Earning the additional credits needed to qualify for a Social Security benefit would have no affect on your CSRS annuity. Instead, the windfall elimination provision of law would reduce the amount of your Social Security…
Q: I am a substantial contributor to Social Security through the military reserves, and I worked six years as a teacher. I also have 26 years of CSRS service and five years of CSRS OFFSET for a total of 31 years of service. My high three is $107,800. I am 61 years old and could retire now. I understand how the security portion of the offset will be calculated but I do not understand how the substantial contribution portion will be handled through the military and as a teacher. A: Substantial earnings under Social Security are substantial earnings, no matter…
Q: I was involuntarily retired from the Air Force because of an injury received while at work. It was a gradual process. I was injured (torn ACL in my left leg) in 1998. I was then returned to work. The ACL repair wasn’t successful, so I underwent a second surgery in 2001. I started rehabilitation but did not complete it. I was then moved into a supply position. I underwent a third surgery in 2003. I started rehabilitation and I completed it according to the rehabilitation specialist’s instruction. However, he (DOL) insisted that I pay for everything and assured me…
Q. I am a FERS employee and I plan to retire in the near future. As I have a CSRS component, I will be impacted by the Windfall Elimination Provision when I begin to draw Social Security. As my spouse is also a FERS employee, it is possible that my spouse benefit for Social Security may exceed my own benefits. I will turn 62 eight years before my spouse. And we both plan to draw Social Security when we each turn 62, respectively. I understand that I will not be eligible for a spouse Social Security benefit until my wife…
Q. I am a government DoD CSRS employee of 38 years and plan on working for another couple of years –- I want that 40 years with 80 percent of my salary as retirement. I turn 62 this September and have been told I can draw my ex’s Social Security starting Oct 1. We were married for 28 years. Is this true? Is there a limit on the amount of money I can draw while I am still employed? I know when I retire, it will offset my retirement (which I feel is unfair). A. Because your marriage lasted at…
Q. I am on CSRS disability from the Postal Service. In June 2010, I turn 60 years of age. Am I obligated to report any earnings I make in 2010 in the private sector for the whole or part of the year? Or will I still be under earnings and medical restrictions as I am now in 2009? I am under the impression that when I turn 60 some things change. Is this true? A. Up to age 60, the Office of Personnel Management says you are subject to periodic medical re-evaluation to determine if you are still disabled, and…
Q: I am a retired Civil Service Retirement System annuitant who is currently employed in the private sector. Due to the economic downturn, I am going to have to work longer than I had planned and have been tentatively offered a job with the government. I know that previously, if I returned to work for the government, my salary would be reduced by the amount of my annuity, i.e., I would only draw a salary for the difference. I saw an article that indicated this might be changing with the new Defense Authorization Bill that the president was expected to…