Q. I have worked for the Postal Service for 25 years. I will be turning 50 years old in three months. If I choose to retire at the end of the year, would I be able to collect retirement benefits then, or do I have to wait until I am 56? I am under FERS. Also, would I get health benefits?
A. You wouldn’t be eligible to retire. All you could do is resign. Then, at age 60, you could apply for a deferred annuity. However, you wouldn’t be able to re-enroll in the Federal Employees Health Benefits program.