Q. I have scoured all the relevant back posts and the closest one to answering my question was on 2/23/2010. You said that being on LWOP would not affect the high-3 average pay computation for purposes of federal disability retirement because the employee was receiving FECA comp. What if no compensation was being received, but you were not on LWOP for more than six months during any year of the high-3 period. That is, no “excess LWOP.” For example, what if an employee used four months of LWOP each year in her final three years when she earned her highest…
Browsing: high-3
Q. If someone retired on both a FERS disability retirement, as well as a disability retirement from Social Security — and then has the SSA (after 17 years) stop his benefits by claiming that he was now able to return to gainful employment — would that person then have his monthly FERS benefit increase? The person in question was receiving about $1,700 monthly from the SSA and $700 monthly from FERS. If his monthly FERS benefit would now increase — could you give me an idea by approximately how much? A. While I cannot give you a dollar amount, I can give you the…
Q. I am a 47-year old female and will be applying for a Social Security disability. I have always worked at a job where Social Security taxes were taken out, so I assume I will not be effected by the Windfall Elimination Provision. I have worked for the Postal Service since 1997 and am covered by FERS. My Social Security earnings record starts in 1978. How will my annuity effect my Social Security disability? I am confused with all the formulas and rules. A. If you are approved for FERS disability retirement and a Social Security disability benefit, for the first…
Q. I am in the category of FERS employees that “max-out” on every pay period. In fact, I have to give back part of my salary, which is shown on my pay statement as “OVER EARN LIMIT.” My question is: Will my average high-3 for retirement purposes be calculated on my official salary, or will it be based on my actual “maxed-out” pay, which is less than my official salary? A. Your “high-3” is based solely on the amount of basic pay that you receive, not what you would have received but for any limitation or cap.
Q. I served in the Navy back in the middle 1990’s for four years. I am now a federal employee for about 1.5 years and might be leaving the federal government. If I request to have my military service time be credited into FERS, I would have to pay a small amount of money since my salary during those years averaged around $12,000 per year. I want to know is it worth trying to have my service time credited into FERS and leave with 5.5 years in the FERS system? My salary now is a GS-14 level, so would that…
Q: I have heard that if you work for 10 years in the legislative branch, then all your time in the executive branch converts to legislative branch time, for the sake of the multipliers under the CSRS retirement. Is this true? I am a FERS employee in the legislative branch with 10+ years of executive branch service. If the above is true, is it also applicable to FERS employees? A: CSRS legislative branch employees contribute an additional 1 percent to the retirement system. If they have five years of legislative branch service under their belts when they retire, their annuity…
Q: I will retire FERS on July 31, 2011, and will need to use leave without pay to reach that day because of medical issues. Will that affect the way my high-3 will be calculated for the FERS annuity? A: No, it won’t. Your high-3 is based on your highest three consecutive years of average salary, whenever they occur in your career.
Q: Do partial years of service count toward one’s FERS benefit? As I understand it, if I work exactly 22 years in federal service, am at least 60 years old and my high-3 is $60,000, my benefit is equal to 22 x 1.1% x $60,000 = $14,520. If I work exactly 22 years and three months, is my benefit equal to 22.25 x 1.1% x $60,000 = $14,685? As I understand it, partial months are dropped, so if I work exactly 22 years, three months and 18 days, my benefit would still be $14,685. I really did try to find…
Q: If I received compensation for two years because of an injury at the U.S. Postal Service, does this delay my retirement for two years? A: If you were in leave-without-pay status while in receipt of workers’ compensation benefits, you’ll receive full credit for that period of time in determining your length of service and your high-3. LWOP while receiving Federal Employees Compensation Act, or FECA, benefits isn’t subject to the six-month limitation in a calendar year, as is other LWOP.
Q: I am an employee with U.S. Customs and Border Protection in a covered 6(c) law enforcement position. I have 19 6(c) law enforcement years for retirement purposes. I am also in the National Guard. If I enter the active-duty Army and take leave without pay for the next five years, which years would be included to make up my “high 3” for retirement purposes under the Federal Employees Retirement System? Is the high-3 calculation based on actual money earned (i.e., the three years prior to entering active duty with the military), or is it based on my paygrade and…