Q: Please explain what CSRS Offset is. A: Civil Service Retirement System Offset employees are those who are covered by both CSRS and Social Security. In general, there are two categories of employees who are covered by CSRS Offset. First, those who had a break in service that exceeded one year and ended after 1983 and had at least five years of creditable service as of January 1, 1987. Second, employees who were hired before Jan. 1, 1984, acquired CSRS interim coverage between 1984 and 1987, and had at least five years of creditable civilian service by Jan. 1, 1987.…
Browsing: SOCIAL SECURITY
Q: I retired under the Civil Service Retirement System Offset pension plan in 2001 (early buyout retirement at age 51 with 23 years of service). My husband passed away in August 2006. I started receiving a survivor benefit based on his Social Security earnings when I turned 60. My question is, should my CSRS Offset pension have been reduced by the amount of the Social Security that I am receiving based on his earnings, or does that reduction not take effect until I turn 62 and then is based on my Social Security benefit? The amount I am receiving as…
Q: I’m currently an employee under the Civil Service Retirement System drawing a monthly payment from Social Security under my ex-husband’s benefits. I’ve called and visited the local Social Security office and can’t seem to get a straight answer: I understand that I can’t draw Social Security in my own right because I am a CSRS employee, but will I continue to be able to receive Social Security from my ex-husband’s (now deceased) Social Security account? A: You might be able to receive survivor Social Security benefit while you are still working. To find out what the eligibility requirements are…
Q. I am currently obtaining my health care benefits through the VA (disabled vet). I will be 65 years old in May. When I turn 65, I understand that I will fall under Medicare. I will then be eligible for Medicare Part A. Will I also be eligible for Part B? Also, if eligible for Part B, will I have to pay for this benefit? What do I have to do to be eligible for both part A and part B without having to pay premiums for Part B? If I hold off applying for Social Security until age 66,…
Q. My husband passed away after 35 years of federal service under CSRS. I receive a survivor benefit. Due to his breaking his back, he was on workers compensation for approximately 15 years, so he did not retire per se. When he passed away they had to take him off workers compensation and restore him as an employee, so I receive 55 percent of his salary. What I want to know is when I turn 65, will I also be able to receive Social Security? I was not a government employee but paid into it. I have heard that because…
Q. I am a FERS employee who was born in 1955; my spouse (who doesn’t work for the government) was born in 1950. My projected benefit is $1,500 while her is only $350. Does she have to wait until I start collecting at 62 if she wants to receive the higher spousal benefit? A. Yes, she has to wait until you have applied for a Social Security benefit before being eligible to receive a spousal benefit. The spousal benefit depends on the amount of your benefit and her age when she begins collecting it. For more information and a handy…
Q. I am 58 years old with 35 years’ service and I am eligible for optional civil service retirement. After I retire, can I apply for Social Security disability benefits ? I have had some serious health conditions and my CSRS annuity will not be enough for us to live on. I have credit for 64 Social Security quarters from other jobs I have had. A. Yes, you could apply for Social Security disability benefits; however, the criteria for Social Security disability benefits are much higher than those for retirement under CSRS or FERS. To be approved for them, you would…
Q. My mother retired from the Postal Service in 1990 with 28 years of service. In addition, she has worked (and continues to do so) in the private sector for 31 years. The exemptions for the offset provisions list 30 years of paying into Social Security. How would she determine if she is eligible for the exemption and which department should she contact? A. The Social Security Administration has an electronic fact sheet that should answer your questions. Go to www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10045.html.
Q. I am retiring at age 56 under FERS with a CSRS component. I plan to continue working part time, paying into Social Security and will make approximately $10,000 per year. I plan to collect Social Security at age 62 when my FERS supplement ends. Will my Social Security benefit be affected by my CSRS component? A. Yes, if you have fewer than 30 years of substantial earnings under Social Security. Then your Social Security benefit will be affected by the windfall elimination provision.
Q. I am a 58 year old CSRS employee with 34 years’ service. I need to retire due to health problems but my agency (USPS) says that I must take optional retirement instead of disability retirement. If I retire, can I apply for Social Security disability?” I have 54 quarters of coverage from other jobs and my SSA statement says I am eligible for disability payments if I qualify as disabled. Also, will this effect my civil service annuity? A. Your agency is mistaken. You have the option of applying for disability or optional retirement. However, there is no financial advantage…