Q & A
I retired a few years ago with a pension and with Federal Employees Health Benefits coverage. Turned 65 a year ago. Have not applied for Social Security, as the benefit will be less than $200 per month. All sources tell me that when I apply for Social Security, Medicare Part A will be mandatory, even though all our working careers, they said we can just have FEHB for retirement. I do not want Part A and wish to remain with FEHB only. Also with all of the mixups, I am sure they will put me into Part B, as well (even though I do not want or need).
Answer: I can think of no reason for failing to apply for your Social Security benefit or accepting coverage under Medicare Part A, for which you’ve already paid through payroll deductions. If you don’t want to be covered by Medicare Part…
I changed my name when I got married last year. Do I need to report it to Social Security?
Answer: Yes. If you’ve legally changed your name due to marriage, divorce, court order or for any other reason, make sure you change your name with Social Security, as well as with your employer. If you change with one source but…
I am a federal employee (under FERS) and Naval Reserve retiree (20 years of service). I will receive Navy Reserve retirement pay at age 60 (in 19 years). I am considering buying back four years of active-duty Navy service. Before doing so, I’d like to ensure that this does not forfeit or waive my Reserve retirement. Can you share the reference that states that a retiree can receive both a Navy Reserve retirement and federal (FERS) retirement after completing military buyback of the active-duty portion of a Navy Reserve career?
Answer: If you make a deposit for your active-duty service, it will have no effect on your entitlement to have that service used in determining your length of service and in the computation of your reserve retired pay. Since this is a…
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY AND WORKERS’ COMPENSATION?
Answer: There are two different types of lifelong compensation if your injury is bad enough that you will never be able to return to work. These types of compensation are called “Social Security Disability” and “Permanent Total Disability” in Colorado Workers’…
I am working as a contractor in the PEIR Group for MSHA doing highly confidential and complex work. The position is supposed to convert to a government assignment in the coming months. What is the best strategy or documentation to use to negotiate for years of credited service for my industry expertise that makes me uniquely qualified for this work?
Answer: There is no provision in law that would allow you to get credit for your private-sector experience in determining your years of service. However, at the sole discretion of your agency, you could get additional credit for leave accrual purposes. See…
If I go back to work, will I automatically lose my Social Security disability benefits?
Answer: No, Social Security has several work incentive programs to help people who want to work. You may be able to receive monthly benefits and continue your health care coverage during a trial work period. For information about Social Security’s work…
When did full retirement age change to age 66?
Answer: Full retirement age (FRA) is the age at which a person may first become entitled to full, unreduced, retirement benefits. The original Social Security Act of 1935 established that retirement, then the only SSA benefit, could begin at age 65.…
I’m a CSRS Offset employee (58 years old) contemplating retirement in 2½ years with more than 41 years of service (plus over 1,400 hours of sick leave). Eight of the aforementioned years are active military. I plan to buy back those eight military years of service. Will buying those eight years of military service neutralize the reduction I face at age 62? I have also been employed for the past 13 years with a worldwide retailer and plan on continued employment with this retailer until age 62. Is it true that my CSRS service pension would not be affected by Social Security? I’m thinking that I will be able to draw the full CSRS pension (80 percent) and early Social Security payment (age 62) with no other reductions.
Answer: Nothing you can do will exempt you from the reduction in your CSRS annuity at age 62, if you are retired from your government job. That reduction will equal the Social Security benefit you earned while a CSRS Offset employee.…
I am a 51-year-old with 32 years of service under CSRS. I am eligible to retire in 2016 when I reach age 55. I have also worked and paid into Social Security for about the same number of years. Am I eligible to receive both Social Security and my civil service retirement pension? I would also like to know how a buyout works. If one is offered before I reach age 55, what is the payout, and will I receive my current benefits such as life and health insurance coverage?
Answer: You would receive both retirement benefits if you have 30 years of substantial earnings under Social Security. If you have fewer than 30 years of substantial earnings, your Social Security benefit would be reduced because of the windfall elimination provision.…
I’m a CSRS Offset employee (58 years old) contemplating retirement in 2½ years with more than 41 years of service (plus over 1,400 hours of sick leave). Eight of the aforementioned years are active military. I plan to buy back those eight military years of service. Will buying those eight years of military service neutralize the reduction I face at age 62? I have also been employed for the past 13 years with a worldwide retailer and plan on continued employment with this retailer until age 62. Is it true that my CSRS service pension would not be affected by Social Security? I’m thinking that I will be able to draw the full CSRS pension (80 percent) and early Social Security payment (age 62) with no other reductions.
Answer: Nothing you can do will exempt you from the reduction in your CSRS annuity at age 62, if you are retired from your government job. That reduction will equal the Social Security benefit you earned while a CSRS Offset employee.…