Q: I’m a Civil Service Retirement System employee. Is there a time limit after I retire from my civilian job to buy back my military time and get annuity credit for it? A: To get credit for any period of active-duty military service in your annuity computation, you must complete the deposit before the final adjudication of your annuity by the Office of Personnel Management.
Browsing: military service
Q: I was active-duty Navy for five years, then worked for the U.S. Postal Service under the Federal Employees Retirement System for seven years, during which time I bought back my military time. After 9/11, I went back into military service (active-duty Army), and I will retire with 20 years active service. Who do I need to contact to get a refund of my deposit with the USPS? A: While you can’t get a refund solely of your deposit for active-duty service, you can get a refund of all your contributions and deposits to the retirement fund. Download a copy…
Q: Where do I send my form for buying back my military time, and how do I find out how much it will cost? A: To make a deposit for any years of active duty service, you’ll need to complete a copy of Form RI-20-97, Estimated Earnings During Military Service, and mail it to the military finance center for your branch of service along with a copy of your DD 214, Report of Transfer or Discharge. When you get that information, take it to your payroll office along with a copy of your DD 214 and a Standard Form 2803…
Q: I am a retired naval officer and have been a civil servant for 15 years. When I ultimately retire from the civil service can I continue to receive my Navy retired pay as well as a civil service pension? A: Yes.
Q: I served 11 years, 8 months as active duty in the USAF. I served from 1983-1995 and was honorably discharged. I joined the Army Reserve Nov. 6, 2009, and am currently still in the reserves. I have elected to take a position with Indian Health Services Hospital, and I have some questions about retirement. 1) I was told I would have to buy back my 11 years and 8 months within three years, otherwise interest would be added on. How much would I have to pay to buy my time? I was an E5 when I was discharged. 2)…
Q: Mr. Jones included something in his column appearing in the June 6 issue that has alarmed me and I’d like some clarification. Mr. Jones implies that military retired pay is somehow affected by the initiation of a federal civilian retirement annuity, except under “limited circumstances.” I am a federal employee and have been since 2007. After buying back my military academy time, I have retirement credit as of 2003. I am drawing military retired pay that I earned for service between 1983 and 2004. I plan to retire from federal civilian service in 2028. Under current rules, wouldn’t I…
Q: I was reading the June 6, 2011, Personal Advisor and in planning for retirement, item four, it was stated that if one received military retired pay that they needed to make an appointment with the retirement counselor. It was stated that “under limited circumstances you may be able to receive both (military retired pay and one’s retirement annuity). However, in most cases, you’ll have to waive military retires pay.” That certainly got my attention. I served in the Navy for 25 years before joining the VA as a physician in September 2000. My Navy retired pay is fairly substantial. I would…
Q: I am a retired federal employee and I am collecting FERS retirement. My husband retired from the Navy reserves. He took out the survivor benefit plan last year. He will be retired from the federal government in two or three years with 37 years of service in CSRS. Will my military SBP or CSRS annuity be reduced because I have both? A: No.
Q: I will retire this year from FERS at age 67 with continuous FERS service from 1987-present. I retired from active military duty 1966-1987 and have received military retirement since (22 years active military followed by 25 years FERS). I do not want to make a deposit and do not want to combine credit into FERS. I can keep them separate and receive both, correct? A: Yes.
Q: I am a reservist and had 8 1/2 years of civilian federal service (under FERS) when I was recalled to active duty right after 9/11. I have been a reservist on active duty for the past 10 years and am still on leave without pay status (LWOP) with the agency I was recalled from. How long would I have to return to the agency in order to make a deposit on my 10 years of active duty? I have about 80 hours of leave on the books. Is there a certain time period that I would have to return to the agency to…