Q. I was in the Air Force (1973-1978) for five years, one month and 13 days. Worked in private sector for a few years. Became a federal employee with total CSRS service credit of 30 years, nine months and 25 days at retirement. I bought back my military time, which enabled me to retire in 2009. I am three points shy from earning my 40 credits/points for Social Security. I am 58 years old and female. Would it benefit me to pursue getting the last three credits/points under Social Security, or would the windfall elimination provision eliminate any value in…
Browsing: Social Security quarters
Q. I served in the Army for four years from June 28, 1976, to June 27, 1980. I have been employed by the Postal Service since Dec. 15, 1980, and fall under CSRS. My time in the military, along with some part-time work while employed by the USPS is the only employment in which I paid into Social Security. This adds up to about 28 quarters toward my Social Security eligibility. Since I did not buy back my military time and will not qualify for Social Security benefits when I retire before I reach age 62, will my military time…
Q: I will be 59 years and 8 months old with 37 years, 7 months of federal service on my target retirement date of Dec. 31. I only earned 33 quarters of Social Security; to earn more credit on Social Security, can paid annual leave be considered as Social Security income for the year 2012, because the paid annual leave is not included as Civil Service Retirement System income for the year 2011? If so, what is the procedure to report it as Social Security income? And will this only be applied at the end of the year of retirement,…
Q: I am getting ready to retire. I worked for the government from 1968 to 1972, then worked in the private sector and earned my 40 quarters in Social Security. I returned to work for the federal government in 1984 as a Civil Service Retirement System Offset employee. I was told that because I earned my 40 quarters from the private sector that my government annuity would not be reduced: I will get a full government annuity and a full Social Security check. Is that right? A: By law, your CSRS annuity will be reduced at age 62 by the…
Q: I am a federal employee and I am also receiving Social Security benefits. I understand that when I retire and start receiving my civil service annuity, my monthly Social Security benefits will be recalculated because of the windfall elimination provision. At the time I started receiving Social Security, my number of years of substantial earnings for WEP purposes was 23. Because I am a Federal Employees Retirement System transferee, my current salary is subject to FICA. Will the years subsequent to the initial receipt of Social Security will be added to my 23 years? In other words, if I…
Q: I have 33 years under the Civil Service Retirement System. Prior to that, I was with a private company and completed 32 quarters under Social Security. I will be 70 years old in June. My separation notice under the Base Closure and Realignment Act will be issued in June, and I will have to leave my job by Sept. 15. What are my best options to qualify for Social Security (40 quarters)? I understand there will be offset payments. Should I continue work two more years, finding another job after Sept. 15, and forget Social Security? A: You can…