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Return to Article: Laboring Another Day

• 32784
  

  Agree with Ms. Keenan, please write an article on the issue of retirees and Part A & B Medicare. HMO's and Medicare recommendations only confuse the issue more. Other retirees who you talk to are equally confused.

  Thank you

  Simon Cardenas Posted September 11, 2007 10:27 PM
• 32631
  

  I have a question..why is chambers staff not included in the "buy out" retirement options for employees? Would like to know more about that. Thanks.

  Sara Muske Posted September 10, 2007 10:53 AM
• 32227
  

  Tammy's table showing the high three salary increases over increased working time highlights why DoD management is pushing so hard for NSPS. NSPS allows management to freeze salary levels, and throws the employees a bone in the name of a "cash payout". I expect that under NSPS over time salary growth will falter and stagnate. But of course over time inflation will continue to grow. The result is that long term employees will face inflation induced pay cuts over their working careers.

  NSPS will create for working employees what FERS has already done to retires (between ages 56 and 62): Elimination of inflation protection, ie- Frozen income levels.

  Robert Camillo Posted September 5, 2007 11:54 AM
• 32135
  

  Is there a way to use this table to determine annual annuity changes for other high 3 average salaries (e.g., $100,000)?

  Rich Michell Posted September 4, 2007 1:51 PM
• 32107
  

  You state that you doubt Fred could have 30 years in FERS by Sept 2007. However, when FERS was instituted we were allowed to switch from CSRS to FERS. For those of us who switched they took the $$ we had contributed to CSRS, bought FERS years back to when we started and then refunded the remainder. Might be a topic for a column.

  Stephen Farkas Posted September 4, 2007 8:51 AM
• 32002
  

  Tammy - Another good article.

  Based on a previous article you convinced me to stay until 30 Sept vice 3 Sept.

  I would add one more thing to your analysis - The portion of the COLA that you do not get in January of the year following your retirement will reduce the value of staying on an additional 3, 6 or 12 months. Keep up the good work.

  Worker John Posted August 31, 2007 10:16 AM
• 31994
  

  I am a CSRS employee and have 29 years of Federal Service. I have heard in my career that when they offer VERA that sometimes it is offered w/o penalty on age or years in service. Has this ever been offered officially at any time? If so, what are the future possibilities?

  Thank you

  Ellen Foster Posted August 31, 2007 9:37 AM
• 31986
  

  Can you give information for those who are 65+ and have only been a government employee say 8 years and are retiring at age 70. what are the calculations these employees. It always seems calculations are given for the younger set. Thanks.

  Helen Posted August 31, 2007 8:47 AM
• 31981
  

  Tammy,

  Your retirement-related articles are great. At age 63, the information is certainly pertinent, but you write extremely well too. So thanks for all of that.

  I have one question from today's article. I am 63 (64 in October), FERS, 25/yrs service (including 4yrs USMC), but I didn't understand this statement today: "If he (Fred) were 62 or older, his benefit would be 10 percent higher."

  I've never heard of the 10% factor, so if you could explain, I'd appreciate it.

  Thanks again for your great work.

  Bill Bancroft Posted August 31, 2007 8:31 AM
• 31977
  

  These retirement articles are amazing! I worked in the private sector with the same LARGE company for over 25 years and the information you provide is much more helpful and valuable. Thanks so much.

  Charles J. Parente Posted August 31, 2007 8:05 AM
• 31974
  

  I am under FERS and thought that I could go out in 4 1/2 years at 58 with 30 years. I have just been advised that I will be penalized 5% per year of my annuitity since I would be under 60 for the rest of my life. Is this correct or is age 62 as referenced in this current article? (If that were the case I would be losing 20% instead of 10%.) Why is FERS penalizing workers who have given at least 30 years of service? Do I still get my "bridge payment" until I take social security at 62?

  Lynn Harrison Posted August 31, 2007 7:41 AM
• 31972
  

  Have you thought about doing a column on retirees & Medicare. What to look at before deciding to take or not. You hear advice both ways, but what should a person really look at.

  Jacqueline Keenan Posted August 31, 2007 7:30 AM