Q. I am a dual-status federal technician age 43, with 14 years of federal service and 21 years of military service. I am trying to determine how early I could retire and receive an immediate annuity. There seems to be wording that age 50, with 20 years of federal service (which I would achieve in seven years), surpasses a threshold where this is possible, but additional wording is confusing (see below). Does this mean I can voluntarily depart the military (and, thus the dual-status federal technician job) at that time, or do I need to be involuntarily separated to receive…
Browsing: involuntary separation
Q. I’m 49, with 26 years in the NAF retirement program. I won’t be accepting a transfer of function outside my commuting area, so I’ll be involuntary separated. Based on everything I’ve read in AR215-3 3-25, I should be eligible for both discontinued service retirement and severance pay. Severance pay would be authorized in my case since my immediate annuity will be reduced 12 percent based on my age (2 percent for every year I’m away from 55). I’m now hearing that the following paragraph would prevent me from receiving severance pay: AR215-3 3-25 h. “Exclusions from severance pay. Severance…
Q. I’m 53 with 27 years and 10 months. I could get six months of military service for Army Reserve full-time training credit. I’m in a term position. If I’m given a reduction in force, what are my options? Can I defer my retirement until my minimum retirement age of 56? If so, would I lose my health and insurance benefits? If I’m RIF’ed and do not defer, does that means I lost health benefits? A. If you receive a RIF notice, you have two choices. You can either sit tight and see if you are going to be separated,…
Q. If a FERS employee is eligible for a deferred retirement (30 years qualifying service but not yet at minimum retirement age) but is involuntarily separated (instead of resigning) and receives severance pay upon separation, can he still file for and receive a deferred retirement later upon attaining his MRA? Also, is it true that a deferred annuity is not subject to reduction if applied for at MRA when the employee had at least 30 years of service? A. Yes and yes.
Q. I’m in an upper management position with the Transportation Security Administration for the past 10 years. Recently, I have heard that my immediate supervisor is proposing my removal from federal service. If I get removed, will I lose my federal pension or will I be able to collect it when I reach retirement age? A. If you don’t take a refund of your retirement contributions, you could apply for a deferred annuity at age 62.
Q. I’m a civil service employee covered by FERS. My agency is offering Voluntary Early Retirement Authority/Voluntary Separation Incentive Pay. I am 62 and receiving military retired pay. I’ve been told that I’m not eligible for either VERA or VSIP because I’m receiving military retired pay. Is that true? A. Not that I’m aware of. According to the Office of Personnel Management: Employees in the following categories are not eligible for VSIP. Employees who: 1. Are re-employed annuitants; 2. Have a disability such that the individual is or would be eligible for disability retirement; 3. Have received a decision notice…
Q. I was released from the Postal Service involuntarily after about 6½ years. My steward informed me that my health benefit continues for one year after separation. Also, she told me that if I am reinstated, any back premiums will be repaid from any back pay I may receive or they will make up for them during this time by taking it from my paychecks. I was hired with a 10-point veterans preference (under 30 percent) compensation. Is this correct? A. Unless your steward knows something that I don’t know, here’s what will happen: You’ll get a 31-day extension of…
Q. I am 59 with 23 years of civilian service under FERS. My organization gave me a management-directed reassignment outside this area (from Virginia to Kansas). I was given 10 calendar days to agree to move or be involuntarily separated through no fault of my own. Am I eligible for severance pay? A. Yes.
Q. I am an Air Reserve technician with 32 years civil service. I will turn 55 on July 10. I resigned from my civil service position effective the pay period ending July 14. I have, however, vacated the position effective June 22 and used various leave statuses to get me through July 14. Per FERS rules, I was planning to submit my request for federal civil service retirement 60 days prior to my 56th birthday in July 2013. In addition, I submitted my military retirement for Dec. 31, 2012 (I was required to submit a date six months in advance…
Q. I am 54 with 20 years of service under FERS. I’ve been offered the Voluntary Separation Incentive Payments/Voluntary Early Retirement Authority, but do not want to retire yet. I would not receive much in retirement. What are my rights under involuntary separation? A. If you were involuntarily separated, you would be eligible for immediate retirement, just as you would if you accepted an offer of voluntary retirement and/or a buyout. In the same way, you’d receive the special retirement supplement when you reach your minimum retirement age. Because you would be eligible for an immediate annuity when you separated, you wouldn’t…