Q. I plan to retire at the end of 2013. From what I am reading, if I retire on Jan. 3, the effective date of my retirement would be the next day, Jan. 4. Since the 4th is not within the first three days of the month, would my first retirement annuity payment be made in February? Should I plan to retire on Jan. 2 instead? I realize I will not receive annual or sick leave accrual for this pay period, but that should be offset by four days of pay including the holiday, right?
A. You’ve misunderstood. As a CSRS employee, you can retire on any one of the first three days of a month and be on the annuity roll in that month.