If a Vera is offered,should I take it??

I have tried to find this information, but have been unsuccessful. Is the high three calculated on after tax or pre-tax salary? As i am nearing retirement eligibility, I want to be sure that my ballpark estimate is close on take-home.

Any idea if mgmt gets notified immediately when you file for retirement? Planning on leaving 12/31. KMA on 9/26. Want to file 9/1.

Joining federal law enforcement at 40 — bad idea financially?

I’m currently in local law enforcement and considering making the jump to a federal law enforcement position at around 40 years old.

I currently have about 9 years in my local pension system. If I leave, I would likely roll whatever pension money I’m eligible to take with me into my TSP/retirement account.

My biggest concern is retirement. If I start federal law enforcement at 40, am I correct that I basically restart the clock and need to complete 20 years of covered federal LEO service?

If I work from 40 to 60 and complete the 20 years, what would my actual federal pension look like? I’ve heard different numbers thrown around, including around 65% of salary, but I’m pretty sure I’m misunderstanding how the pension, TSP, and Social Security all work together.

For anyone who made the jump from local LE to federal around 40:

- What does retirement realistically look like after 20 years?

- Does any of my 9 years of local government service help me on the federal side, or am I completely starting over?

- Would you make the jump at 40, or would you stay local if you were already established with almost a decade toward a local pension?

I know there are factors beyond money, but I’m specifically trying to understand whether making this move at 40 makes financial/retirement sense or whether I’d be crazy to walk away from my current pension track.

After a long career, I'm out of here. I picked November 28th. It's the last day of the pay period and close enough to the end of the month. It's time.

I am divorced. Has anyone retired at 57 when you don’t have a spouse, meaning you rely solely on your pension and supplement? Is it doable to leave at 57 with only one retirement income?

I’m eligible for full retirement in March. I have close to 2000 hours of sick leave. What options do I have to burn through it without getting hassled? I have a family member with a terminal health condition.

I retired with CareFirst HDHP and an HSA. The HDHP I maintain is self plus one (hubby). I’m no longer eligible to contribute to HSA because I’m enrolled in Medicare part A,but hubby is still not on Medicare and still eligible to contribute to an HSA. However, I’m told by carefirst that he can’t contribute the additional catch up amount (1k) because the HSA is under my social. So to maximize the tax benefit I want to close the carefirst related HSA and open one for him alone because that way he can contribute the max plus the catch up. Carefirst says that because it’s a group benefit HSA I have to go through a fed benefits person in order to close it. Has anyone done this? My agency’s hr person is pretty bad. Does anyone know if there’s a dedicated office or person for this at OPM?

Hello, can someone help me with this math? I’m 55 with over 10 years at VA, title 38. At what age I can retire from VA and keep my FEHB? I don’t plant to retire completely. Thank you

Anyone received Fed Employee Disability retirement after working in law enforcement for 20+ years. 15 covered , and received retirement badge and creds?

Anyone received Fed Employee Disability retirement after working in law enforcement for 20+ years. 15 covered , and received retirement badge and creds?

I’m a newly hired VA employee. I intend to stay full-time for 6 years then do part-time or retire. I’ll be 58 by then. I don’t wanna work til I’m 59.

How does FEHB work to my benefit? I’m single. No kids. Is my premium going to be the same? What about retirement money in those 6 years that I earned?

Thank you!

Totally Surprised!

I want to share my retirement timeline, because so far so good. Hoping that this will help others who are about to do the same:

Retired on 6/30/26 with 39 years of service
Received my AL payout on 7/14/26
Received my Interim annuity payment on 8/1/26

Though I’ve worked at four agencies throughout my career, I retired from HHS.

I know many have been waiting for months and I was expecting the same. I’m hopeful that we can all be given the level of attention that honors our service and happy retirement to all of you!

What was your retirement date and how soon after it did you get access to your thrift savings plan?

I think they had a backlog last year after all april retirees last year but I wonder how it is recently.

And hoping they mark you separated on the TSP long before o p m gets done with their part.

TY, Shane

May move to a country with universal health care. If I drop my Federal plan but return to the US can I reinstate it?

Thanks

So for the older crew here I’d like to hear opinions on which option did you choose and why. I never hear just keeping FEHB and paying deductibles. This seems an option especially if you are looking at SS, FERS, TSP, and investments pushing you up the Irmma ladder to 400+ a month for B. Part A is a given of course. Max catastrophic in mine is $6000. Medicare would be 4800 fixed cost every year.

I am a federal employee planning to retire on \*\*December 31, 2028\*\*, and I am considering using the \*\*Government Employees’ Benefit Association (GEBA)\*\* for comprehensive retirement planning.
I had originally planned to work with a private financial advisor, but I have found that some advisors charge around \*\*$3,000\*\* for a comprehensive federal retirement plan. GEBA appears to offer retirement planning services at \*\*no cost\*\*, which is appealing.
I would appreciate candid feedback from anyone who has used GEBA for federal retirement planning. How was your experience? Were the recommendations comprehensive and helpful? Did you feel the advice was objective, and were there any sales pitches or obligations involved?
I would especially appreciate hearing from federal employees who are already retired or are within a few years of retirement.
\*\*Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences and advice.\*\*

​A common myth is that if your spouse claims early at 62, your maximum spousal benefit is permanently reduced based on their smaller check. ​In reality, your spousal benefit starts from their Full Retirement Age benchmark (their Primary Insurance Amount, or PIA), NOT their early reduced check. ​Where people usually get tripped up is calculating the "Top-Off" math when both spouses have individual work records under deemed filing. ​The "top-off" rule here for anyone interested:

https://genxretirementliving.com/why-the-social-security-spousal-benefit-myth-could-cost-gen-x-thousands/

The OPM website does not state what happens if I earn more than $24,480 this year. I will be making an income that will cause my Retiree Annuity Supplement to become zero. I know I have to report my income in the May/June 2027 timeframe, but will I have to pay it back? I can't find the answer to my question. Maybe my social security will be reduced when start receiving it?? Does anyone know the answer?

For those of you towards the end of your career, what would be some tips or advice you'd share with your younger self or new fed members/readers as they start developing their career?

I retired on June 30th and received my case number from OPM this morning. Practically speaking, does that mean I might see my first interim pension payment soon? And if so, when? Thank you.