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• 40959
  

  I retired from a cabinet agency in 1995 at the age of 46 under the buyout program at a reduced annuity. Longevity runs in my family, and what I am afraid of is outliving my annuity, although it is less than a tenth of the total monies I receive. I am nearly 60 and after doing this year's taxes I can see less than half of my contributions are left. What happens when it is all gone? Will I get the same amount, minus the part (less than $100 per month) I contributed?

  Cheryl Robertson Posted January 7, 2008 4:02 PM
• 37723
  

  I will be retiring at the end of December and have some interest in returning to the Federal government in the capacity of a consultant rather than a civil service employee. Is this allowable? How might this effect my pension status?

  Steve Koblick Posted November 19, 2007 2:23 PM
• 36598
  

  Tammy,
  Is there a possibility of turning the retirement funds into ROTH funds? I would rather pay the taxes now and not when I am in retirement.

  Christopher Ciardiello Posted November 5, 2007 7:25 PM
• 35986
  

  Tammy, You continue to write outstanding articles. Keep up the good work. Even though I have many years before I retire, you have helped me think ahead and hopefully plan appropriately.

  Kristy Plourde Posted October 26, 2007 10:40 AM
• 35950
  

  I just retired from active duty USAF and accepted a position as a federal employee. Several individuals have told me I should "buy back" my time. I don't understand what this means or how it benefits me. Can you point me in the right direction to get some real info on this?

  Tim Allen Posted October 26, 2007 7:39 AM
• 35933
  

  My ex husband retired on May 1, 2007. For 15 years there has been a court order in place alloting 50% of his retirement to me. I have yet to receive an estimate of the amt I shall receive, or any information other than one letter acknowledging the Court Order. It is now October. What action shall I take? Shall I involve legal help? Will I receive the benefit retroactively? How does one contact an agency that does not have a published telephone no.? Thank you.

  Paula R. Cote Posted October 25, 2007 7:12 PM
• 35731
  

  I have 4 years active military and I have not paid back the time. If I choose not to use the 4 years toward my 30 for retirement will there be any effects or will that just be 4 years I served and that's that?

  paula ehrenberg Posted October 23, 2007 1:22 PM
• 35717
  

  I am trying to decide my best possible date to retire in the early part of 2008, but after the Jan. 3 rush. I am CSRS only with over 37 years service. Your "best dates to retire 2008" column does not include Feb. 3, March 3, or May 3 dates. Can you explain why? I thought ANY of the first 3 days of any month was considered best for CSRS only to retire. Also, if you select the 3rd of the month to retire, does this mean you cannot work that actual last day as that is your retiring day?

  Also, would it be wiser to wait if I were due a WIGI in July '08? If so, how long should I wait?

  Dotty O'Brien Posted October 23, 2007 11:11 AM
• 35436
  

  I have been approved for early retirement by my agency at 59 effective NLT 11 Jan 08. I have had Tricare health benefits for the last 7 years. You advised having FEHB going into retirement, why? And since I will only be working one week of the 1st eligible pp after open season and intend to suspend it will I be covered into retirement?

  Margie Porreca Posted October 19, 2007 1:33 PM
• 35426
  

  As a follow up to the article you wrote in November 2006 on Best Dates to Retire 2007, could you please update to the best dates to retire in 2008 for a CSRS employee. Thank you

  mike hoskins Posted October 19, 2007 12:29 PM
• 35421
  

  I am a CSRS employee planning to retire January 3, 2008. I would like to make a change in my FEHB plan option during this year's open season, but my HR contact tells me it won't be processed because I will be an annuiant and not an employee when it would be effective on January 6, 2008. I can't understand why that would make a difference and have asked where I can find that information but she can't direct me to it. I have asked the question through the OPM website but have not received an answer (no surprise). Can you clarify this for me before the open season lapses? Thanks

  Gary OBrien Posted October 19, 2007 12:05 PM
• 35413
  

  I have a question about paying the Military Deposit for the FERS retirement or should I collect my retirement from the Naval Reserves next year when I turn 60? My plan was to stay a my present job for ten years and I can and build up the TSP. Is that a good way to go? I have 30 years in the reserves.

  Alan Estrella Posted October 19, 2007 11:05 AM
• 35405
  

  Tammy, under Thrift Savings Plan Withdrawal Taxes, your last sentence says "The additional tax generally does not apply to payments that are:..." What is this additional tax? You mention earlier both the regular income tax and the early withdrawal penalty, but I don't know what this additional tax is. Can you explain?

  KK Norwood Posted October 19, 2007 10:40 AM
• 35402
  

  I'm CSRS Offset working & applying for SS in Jan. My husband was CSRS & died. Our health premiums were out of his check & now his pension. SS stated I could not waive Medicare B without paying 50% more a month when I retire & it is my primary insurance. Is my only option to take insurance out of my check & will that count as 5 years of continuous service when I retire if it is in the next 2 or 3 years?

  Nancy Berry Posted October 19, 2007 10:25 AM
• 35395
  

  I am covered under FERS. At 58 1/2, I will have 30 years of service. I plan to retire somewhere between 58 1/2 and 60. I was hired under a TAPER program for the first two years before becoming Career Conditional. My payback for Creditable Service for those two years is approx $4,500. Is there a benefit of paying this amount?

  Robert Ness Posted October 19, 2007 9:36 AM
• 35394
  

  I worked for the gov't for three different agencies from 1977 through 1983. When I resigned in 1983 I rec'd my CSRS contributions in a lump sum. I re-entered gov't service in 1984 under CSRS but later changed to FERS. I recently received a retirement estimate and it shows a monthly reduction in my annuity unless I repay the refund, which is now significantly higher due to interest. I will receive full credit for my 'refunded' service whether I repay it or not, but I would like to know if there's a formula I can use to determine whether it would be financially beneficial to repay it.

  Gary Latzko Posted October 19, 2007 9:34 AM
• 35389
  

  I plan to retire at age 44 and am under the FERS system. I understand the government considers this a resignation. I believe that I can defer the retirement annuity until I'm 56 or 60. Is this then a lump sum dispersement or would I then receive the annuity from that point on in monthly payments. Also, can I leave my TSP in tact or do I have to have an annuity purchased or roll over into an IRA (since I don't intend to cash out my retirement and take the penalty). Thanks so much.

  Barbara Teague Posted October 19, 2007 8:53 AM
• 35386
  

  I am a CSRS employee with a Service Comp Date of 1-20-04, no breaks in service, but I worked my first few months in a 700 hour appointment before being converted to Career Conditional. Must I "buy back" those 700 hours to get retirement credit back to 1-20-04? If so, how much would it cost, what is the formula, and would it be cheaper to pay it now, or wait until I retire?

  William Meeker Posted October 19, 2007 8:44 AM
• 35382
  

  If I take Federal Health Benefits into retirement, what is the benefit of signing up for Part B Medicare?

  Jeanne Kosch Posted October 19, 2007 8:23 AM
• 35380
  

  Excellent columns, Tammy. Keep up the outstanding work. Federal retirement is unnecessarily complicated - one misstep can cost you big time.

  Joan Trinchera Posted October 19, 2007 8:20 AM
• 35377
  

  I am a CSRS employee and have 19 quarters paid into Social Security. When I retire I plan on going back to work and getting the 40 quarters required for Social Security. My question is if I'm 64 years old when I reach eligibility will I still have to take a reduction in my Social Security benefits?

  Daniel S. Hughes Posted October 19, 2007 8:00 AM
• 35373
  

  I have a Comp Date of Sep 1971. I am 64 years old and of course, eligible to retire any time. I am in good health. However, since I am CSRS, and eligible for Social Security as well, what would be the best avenue for me to take when it comes to the best time to retire and/or should I start applying for social security now? I don't want to be paying the Government to let me work!

  REBECCA DORAN Posted October 19, 2007 7:26 AM
• 35372
  

  I'm fully elibible for FERS retirement (>60 yrs old, >30 yrs service). I'm really unclear about how soon prior to my desired date of retiring I should put in the application. Related: what if I change my mind and decide to move that date to the right several months after putting the application?

  Dan Rea Posted October 19, 2007 7:21 AM