While currently the Social Security Administration is evaluating how to implement the new law repealing Social Security’s Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset, here’s what federal employees, retirees and spouses should know (and do) now. Includes online tool to estimate how much of their Social Security benefits have been — or would be reduced — due to the WEP and GPO
FERS (Federal Employees Retirement System)
FERS Deferred Retirement Option
Ed Zurndorfer discusses the option for FERS employees who elect to leave federal service before they are eligible for an immediate (and unreduced FERS annuity) retirement and may be eligible to receive their FERS annuity at a later date
FERS Early Retirement Option
Ed Zurndorfer discusses the early retirement option available to eligible FERS employees in the form of a Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA) (with no employee “buyout”) or a Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment (VSIP) (with a lump-sum payment).
FERS Retirement Options for Special Provision Employees
Ed Zurndorfer outlines the retirement options for FERS employees who are classified as Special Provision employees. Special Provision employees include law enforcement officers (LEOs), customs, border and protection officers (CBPOs), firefighters (FFs) and air traffic controllers (ATCs).
FERS Retirement Option: Voluntary/Optional Retirement
Ed Zurndorfer explains the immediate voluntary/optional retirement option available to those covered by the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS)
Considerations for Lump Sum Annual Leave Payment When Retiring at End of Year
Many federal employees retire at the end of December or early January before the start of a new leave year in order to maximize their lump-sum payment for unused annual leave hours. Ed Zurndorfer presents a comparison of two retirement dates for an employee retiring at the end of leave year
Earnings Test of the FERS Retirement Annuity Supplement
The retiree annuity supplement is a monthly benefit paid to certain employees under the Federal Employees Retirement System who retire from federal service before age 62. Ed Zurndorfer discusses how the “earnings test” may cause the annuitant to lose a portion — or all — of their RAS if earned income exceeds the maximum permissible. Practical examples are included
Eligibility and Calculation of the FERS Retirement Annuity Supplement
The retiree annuity supplement is a monthly benefit paid to certain employees under the Federal Employees Retirement System who retire from federal service before age 62 under the FERS immediate retirement rules. Ed Zurndorfer outlines the eligibility rules and how to estimate the supplement
Advantages for Federal Employees to Work in the Private Sector After Retiring
Ed Zurndorfer examines some of the advantages for those federal employees who choose to work in the private sector after retirement from federal service
FERS Employees Retiring Under the MRA+10 and MRA+20 Options Can Postpone FERS Annuity Commencing Date
An employee under the Federal Employees Retirement System can retire immediately when they reach their Minimum Retirement Age with a minimum of 30 years of creditable service. Ed Zurndorfer outlines discusses the option of postponed retirement available to FERS employees who, when they reach their MRA with at least 10 years and less than 30 years of FERS service, leave federal service and postpone the start of their FERS annuity