Q. I served 14 years active duty in the military and got out under Higher Tenure for which I received Involuntary Separation Pay. Now I’m receiving 40 percent disability from the VA, and in the reserves and planning on retiring from there once I reach 20 years. In addition, I just started working for the VA, and planning on buying back my military time. Can I receive retirement from both the VA and the reserves? How early can I retire from the VA? And how is the Involuntary Separation Pay and the disability affect all of this?
A. Yes, if you make a deposit for your period of active-duty service, you can receive both reserve retired pay and a FERS annuity. To be eligible for a FERS annuity, you would first have to have five years of actual FERS service. Once you’ve crossed that threshold, the following age and service combinations apply:
