Q. I am a full-time Postal Service employee covered under CSRS. I have more than 30 years of service (active Postal Service + military buyback). I am still too young to retire, and will probably work another seven to 10 years. Recently, I changed to a nontraditional full-time position (NTFT) of 35 hours per week. Can you tell me how this reduction in weekly hours will effect the calculation of my high-3 in regards to my retirement? How far out from my retirement date would I need to change back to a full-time (40 hours per week) position to regain…
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Q. I am transitioning to part time from a full-time position. I plan to continue to work 0.6 FTE from age 53 until age 60, when I would like to retire. I will have 20 years and nine months at age 60. At what percentage will I pay the premium for my health insurance in retirement? A. You will pay the same premiums as all other employees and retirees.
Q. I am 44 years old, and I am covered under FERS with a scheduled leave date of November 1985 but did not start working full time until August 1989. I recently enrolled in the Federal Employees Health Benefits plan, as my wife’s insurance coverage was better than FEHB. If offered, would I be eligible for a VERA/VSIP without any penalty? A. Yes. Although you worked part time for several years, your service computation date shows that you were given full-time credit for those years of service. The only effect of having worked part time is that your annuity will…
Q. The Office of Personnel Management defines part-time employment as 16 to 32 hours a week, and full time is “generally” considered 40 hours. What about 33 hours, or any schedule between 33 and 39? How is that classified? I’m guessing 33 hours would be classified full time, but the pay and annuity calculation would be based on the actual number of hours worked. Is that correct? I’m also wondering if one can apply for full-time positions and negotiate a schedule between 33 and 39 hours (provided the agency is amenable). A. According to OPM, “Once an employee works between…
Q. I am approaching age 70 and I currently work full time. What happens to the monthly deduction for Social Security that I pay in if it doesn’t increase my monthly benefit? Can I get that money back in a lump sum? A. No, you can’t.
Q. I am a FERS employee in the Veterans Affairs Department. I have four years and nine months of service with 50 days of sick leave and 72 days of annual leave accumulated. What are the regulations regarding the use of leave to extend time of service so that I qualify for an annuity with five years in? A. Annual or sick leave cannot be used to increase your length of service. To be vested in the retirement system, you will need to be employed full time for five years, longer if you work part time.
Q. I am considering taking a State Department full-time temporary excepted appointment NTE 13 months with no re-employment benefits. I am a career-status employee with the federal government. State requires a four-day break between my current position and beginning service with them. How does this affect my retirement benefits and my career status? Will I not be considered career status when I apply for new jobs after my temporary position comes to an end? A. When you separate from the government, if you are covered by the Federal Employees Health Benefits and/or Federal Employees Group Life Insurance programs, you will…
Q. I retired from Army under CSRS last year at age 56 after 32 years of service and full benefits. I wish to return to federal service. Is this possible? Would I have to give up my pension? Can I be hired full time under my old position or one similar? A. Yes, you can be hired as a civilian employee of the federal government if an agency wants to do that. In theory, the agency in which you worked before retiring could hire in the position you previously occupied; however, it may not be possible. Most military departments have a bar on doing that…
Q: I am a Title 38 Veterans Health Administration part-time registered nurse and will be going full time my final three years. I will be retiring with 31 years of service at age 58. Are my part-time years computed on a prorated basis for my retirement annuity? A: Without getting into agonizing detail, your period of part-time service will be treated as if it were full-time service when determining your eligibility to retire; however, because you were less than full time, when computing your annuity, that period will be prorated. For example, if you had 30 years of service and…