Q. I retired from the Postal Service on Jan. 31. I am 60 years old and I took the Voluntary Early Retirement Authority. I received an $11,000 annual leave payment, and the $10,000 buyout. I also receive a widow’s benefit from Social Security of $9,000. Will this money be counted as earned income on my income taxes against the $15,120 limit? I also receive the special retirement supplement.
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Q. I’m a federal employee under FERS. I have 26 years of service, and I’m looking into a Voluntary Early Retirement Authority offering. I had federal health coverage for 24 years (1987-2011) and then used my husband (outside the federal program 2012) and just started a year after (2013). Will they take that into consideration for me to take the federal health plan into retirement, or will I still will need four more years. Is there any way to waive the five continuous years needed as I had it for 24 years before?
Q. My office is offering Voluntary Early Retirement Authority to qualified employees. I have been employed by the federal government for 26 years and have been covered under health insurance since my initial appointment. I carry the self-and-family plan. I am considering taking the VERA in January. At the same time, I am considering an employment opportunity outside the federal government should I retire. That company provides health insurance for their employees and family members. I will not work for them long enough to carry their health benefits once I decide I am done working for good. Is there a…
Q. I have applied for Voluntary Early Retirement Authority/Voluntary Separation Incentive Pay. If I get it, according to the VERA/VSIP rules, I must retire on or before March 31. Could you please give me the best dates to retire, assuming it will take them a couple of months to process the papers?
Q. I will be 56 in January 2014 with over 20 years of federal service (included military time bought back). Am I eligible for early retirement? Approximately how much will I be getting monthly?
Q. If I have already submitted my retirement paperwork to retire with an effective date of May 30, 2014, and then the organization offers Voluntary Early Retirement Authority/Voluntary Separation Incentive Pay, can I apply to take the VSIP without having to change anything?
Q. Now that I’ve turned 65, I’m looking at FERS retirement from Farm Service Agency after 10 years in federal employment. But regarding carrying Federal Employees Health Benefits into retirement, I only have 2½ of the required five years in the plan to date. I had four more FEHB years in the plan under Rural Development, but the two periods were not consecutive. I understand a Voluntary Early Retirement Authority may be headed my way at FSA. VERA typically expands the eligibility for FEHB into retirement, but I don’t think I qualify for VERA, because they are seeking 20-year employees.…
Q. I am a Postal Service employee in FERS with 28 years of service. If I am offered a Voluntary Early Retirement Authority and accepted it, would my accrued sick leave be added to my service time?
Q. I am an information technology specialist. Is it possible to be offered Voluntary Early Retirement Authority at age 47 and 28 years? If not, why not? Can you request VERA, or do you have to wait for it to be offered?
Q. I am a federal employee under FERS with 28 years of service. I understand that service credit for accrued sick leave can only be credited once you’ve qualified for retirement, which, in my case, would be 30 years. Does this apply if you receive a Voluntary Early Retirement Authority before then? Would my sick leave be credited, or would I lose it under this scenario?