Q. Am I eligible to be under the CSRS retirement plan? Currently, I am in FERS retirement plan. I was in the armed forces from May 26, 1978, to May 25, 1981. After my honorable discharge, I was employed overseas with the Department of the Army from Dec. 2, 1982, to Dec. 19, 1984. Since Feb. 2, 1986, I have been employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. I paid back my military time. I will be 56 and, as of Feb. 2, I have 31 years in the federal government.
A. Because you had fewer than five years of actual CSRS service on Jan. 1, 1987, you had to be placed in FERS.