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Return to Article: A Thoroughly Modern Retirement System

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  My husband retired last year under CSRS and had me sign a waiver tht I will not get any part of his retirement. He told me at the time that I did not need any of his retirement, to continue health benefits if he should die. He told me he had gotten that information from a number of sources. Since I have been under CSRS for 30 odd years as well. Now I am ready to retire and wondering did I do the right thing by signing the waiver?

  Katahie Bellrichard Posted September 18, 2009 7:51 AM
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  Ms. Flanagan,

  I hope your time off was for something enjoyable, like a vacation. Now, back to the grindstone!

  I am confused about the correlation between annuity and FEHB for my spouse.

  I went to a retirement presentation, and my notes don't seem to agree with what I am seeing elsewhere. And I can't seem to find anything useful in the FERS/CSRS handbook.

  I understand that if a minimal distribution is not made from the FERS Basic Annuity, one can not continue health insurance.

  Can I roll over any of my FERS Basic Annuity to an IRA? If so, does that constitute a "minimal distribution" for purposes of maintaining FEHB health insurance?

  If I can (and do) roll over any of my FERS Basic Annuity to an IRA, does any money need to be left in the FERS Basic Annuity to continue health insurance? If so, how much?

  Perhaps you could delve more deeply into this subject in a future column.

  And thanks for all of your thought-provoking columns.

  Charles FERS, Detroit

  GovExec.com reader Posted June 7, 2006 5:21 PM
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  "The back-office processes are now getting some help from global consulting firm Accenture, OPM announced late last week"

  Accenture is the old Andersen consulting firm that had to separate because of conflicts of interest. Accenture was lucky to separate before Andersen was forced out of business because of its role in the Enron failure and shredding of critical papers.

  More importantly, Accenture moved its operation offshore to avoid U.S. income taxes and continues to be awarded contracts by U.S. government agencies when there are many U.S. companies that pay taxes who could perform equally well or even better than Accenture! The U.S. government should not contract with Accenture unless and until they become a U.S. company paying U.S. taxes on all U.S. contracts! This system is a perfect example of one that small local businesses could provide for OPM and probably would provide a better product that actually worked in less time and for far less money! OPM has no clue how easy this system is and should be ashamed to let this big contract to a foreign based firm! There are many local firms in the D.C. area that could do this work far better than Accenture and also that are American companies! Where are you Duncan Hunter?

  Taxpayer Posted June 5, 2006 6:54 AM
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  I'm willing to bet $1 million that this contract does not include a provision to hold the contractor monetarily liable in the event they lose or displace government employee personal information. I'll also bet that the contractor allows their employees to take my personal data home. I also bet there is no contract provision to force the contractor to have a "bulletproof" computer firewall to prevent hackers from stealing my personal information, and if they do allow thieves to steal the data how will I be compensated?. The government is clueless when it comes to security of personal data, our borders, 9/11, VA, government credit cards, hurricanes, etc. The only way I can benefit from all this chaos is to sell my own personal data and make a few bucks. They have already lost my personal data twice and I didn't make a dime.

  If I sound bitter it's because I am!!!!!!!!

  Un-Civil Servant

  GovExec.com reader Posted June 2, 2006 9:36 AM