A Fed Times reader asks:

“I am a federal employee and I am hoping you will be able to provide some insight for my perplexing situation.

I was hired in February 2023 as a GS-5 Step 1.

In May 2023, I moved to another division within that department and became a GS-6. I currently work in this position.

I have received an offer for a position with another department. The hiring salary offer is for the same amount as my current salary.

With that being said, my question is: am I able to negotiate a step increase within my current grade for this new position? I understand there are certain limitations that apply, but if I am able to increase steps in pay grade– exactly how many steps higher could I go?

I should mention, I have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, as well as relevant experience outside of my federal employment for the position. I should mention that the position is open to the public, as well.

Reg’s response:

Departments and agencies vary in the latitude they give their supervisors and managers to vary the step they offer to a prospective employee. Beyond that, those who have the authority to do that will be guided by two things: the urgency of their need to fill the position and the qualifications of the applicant.

You can always ask for a higher step when you interview for the job and see how it plays out.

Got a question for the Federal Times expert? Send inquiries to: fedexperts@federaltimes.com.

A Fed Times reader asks:

“I am buying back 17 years of military time. Am I eligible for retirement after 3 years of civilian service or do I have to do 5 years of civilian service to be vested and thus eligible for retirement?

I have got conflicting information.”

Reg’s response:

You have to be vested in the retirement system before you can retire. To meet that requirement, you have to have 5 years of federal civilian service.

Got a question for the Federal Times expert? Send inquiries to: fedexperts@federaltimes.com.

A Fed Times reader asks:

“[I’m] wanting to put my time from active duty towards my retirement as GS.

Is there a form I must fill out, and what other documents are needed to prove the time I acquired while in the armed forces?

It would be very helpful for me if I could get this information to get this process started.”

Reg’s response:

You’ll need to complete OPM Form RI-20-97, Estimated Earnings During Military Service (available at opm.gov, click on Forms) and mail it to the military finance center for your branch of service along with a copy of your DD Form 214, Report of Transfer or Discharge.

The completed letter showing your estimated earnings will be returned to you. Take that letter, a copy of your DD 214, and a Standard Form 2803 (CSRS) or 3108 (FERS) (available at opm.gov, click on ‘Forms’) to your local payroll office and request an estimate of the deposit required.

Your payroll office will compute the amount you owe, plus interest, and arrange for you to make the payment in a lump sum or on a schedule of regular payments.

Got a question for the Federal Times expert? Send inquiries to: fedexperts@federaltimes.com.

A Fed Times reader asks:

“My wife is covered on my “self+1″ Blue Cross FEHB plan. She will turn 65 this summer and will be going on Medicare Parts A and B. I am still 62 and will need to remain on the FEHB plan.

Is there some way I can change my FEHB enrollment to a “self only” plan at that time, or will I have to wait until open season in the fall?

Do I need to suspend her coverage as a spouse of an annuitant in order to preserve her ability to return to an FEHB plan if her new gap insurance doesn’t work for her needs?”

Reg’s response:

There is no provision in law or regulation that would allow you to suspend your wife’s FEHB coverage.

You could, of course switch to Self Only coverage; however, if you were to die before you were able to switch back, your wife would only be covered by Medicare A and B.

Got a question for the Federal Times expert? Send inquiries to: fedexperts@federaltimes.com.

A Fed Times reader asks:

“I retired from the Marine Corps and from a local police department. Even though I paid into Social Security during my 26 years in the Corps, I did not contribute to Social Security during my time with the police department because it is a private pension system.

I was told by the Social Security rep that I am subject to the WEP because of the police department’s pension and that is the reason my Social Security check is reduced by 51%.

This doesn’t seem right since I took it upon my own to work until I was able to have two pensions, so I don’t have to live paycheck to paycheck. Is this right and if so why?”

Reg’s response:

Yes, it’s right. And it’s right because of a provision of law called the Windfall Elimination Provision. The WEP reduces the Social Security benefit of anyone who receives an annuity – in whole or part – from a retirement system where he didn’t pay Social security taxes.

You can learn more about the WEP and how it will affect you by going to ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10045.pdf.

Editor’s Note: There have been attempts in Congress and by financial advocates to repeal the WEP. Those efforts have gained some steam in the Senate especially, but there has been no formal declaration of action yet.

Got a question for the Federal Times expert? Send inquiries to: fedexperts@federaltimes.com.

A Fed Times reader asks:

“I currently have four years of creditable service in FERS. I am buying back 15 years and seven months of military time.

If I decided to leave civil service and file for deferred retirement at age 60 or 62, will the 15 years seven months count towards the five-year requirement?”

Reg’s response:

First things first: You have to have five years of actual FERS service to be vested in the retirement system.

Once you are vested, you can make a deposit to get credit for your all active duty service. If you did that, you’ll have at least 20 years of creditable service and could apply for a deferred retirement at age 60.

Got a question for the Federal Times expert? Send inquiries to: fedexperts@federaltimes.com.

A Fed Times reader asks:

“I started working for the United States Postal Service in 1986. I left in 1997. I am now 61 years old. I have seen articles online about getting a lump sum payout for my FERS.

Is that possible? If yes, how can I initiate this payout?

Is there a way to see the amount in my FERS account?”

Reg’s response:

As long as you didn’t ask for a refund of your retirement contributions when you left government, you are entitled to a refund.

You can apply for that refund by going to opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF3106.pdf, downloading a copy of the form, filling it out and sending it to OPM.

The mailing address is on the form.

Got a question for the Federal Times expert? Send inquiries to: fedexperts@federaltimes.com.

A Fed Times reader asks:

“My question is I anticipate retiring at 65yrs and will have worked 5 years in the Federal system. I see 4.4% is taken out of my pay twice per month for RET. FERS-FRAE. Will I receive this money back through a retirement annuity when I retire at 65 yrs?”

Reg’s response:

When you retire, the good news is that your initial annuity payments will be made up entirely from the amount you had taken from your pay while working. Only then will you begin receiving the government’s money. The bad news is that only a portion of that money from which taxes were deducted while working will be creditable when you do your income tax. The amount will be determined by actuarial tables based on your age at retirement. For more information about how this is done, see IRS Publication 721, available at www.irs.gov/publications/p721.

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A Fed Times reader asks:

“I was hired into full-time federal service in 2011 and worked until 2022 under the FERS retirement contribution system (contributing 0.8% of my pay toward my FERS pension).

If I return to federal service, would I still qualify to pay into the FERS system with a 0.8% contribution or would I pay in at a higher rate?

With 10 years of service, I meet the five-year service threshold, but I’m not sure if I had to have accrued five years of service before the contribution rates were raised in 2013/2014 (meaning I would have had to start by 2008/2009) or just at least five years of service under FERS prior to separation.”

Reg’s response:

Because you had at least five years of creditable service under FERS, if you return to work for the government you will only be required to contribute .08% of your salary to the retirement system.

Got a question for the Federal Times expert? Send inquiries to: fedexperts@federaltimes.com.

A Fed Times reader asks:

“I am a FERS employee, age 58 with 35 years of service. Could I retire and receive the FERS supplement until age 62? What are the pros and cons of doing so?”

Reg’s response:

Yes, you can retire and receive the FERS special retirement supplement until age 62. There is only one “pro” and no “con” to doing that.

By law you are entitled to receive both your annuity and the SRS, which represents the amount of Social Security benefit you earned while a FERS employee. At age 62 the supplement will end and you’ll begin receiving a Social Security benefit based on all your years of Social Security-covered employment.

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