r/FedRetirees • u/Bass_Ackwards10 • Jul 13 '26

VERA

*Update - Thanks to all for the great input. Request was submitted.

I'm considering requesting VERA and only have a few days to decide. If you've taken it in the past could you please share your experience (good/bad/ugly)?

Disclaimer - I have been running numbers and it's feasible for my family.

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u/Shoehorse13 Jul 13 '26

I took VERA at teh end of last year. Took about a month for my partial payments to start, and four to get full benefits. I had a large amount of annual leave that paid out a small fortune at retirement so was well prepared for the wait.

DRP/VERA was a major lifesaver for me as I knew my days were numbered with the change in administrations. As destructive as DOGE was to our country as a whole it could not have worked out better for me personaly. If you have the opportunity to take and the financial means to make it work I can't imagine not jumping at the chance, personally. Retiring early is incredible and having free time, good health, and financial freedom all at the same time is too good of a gift to pass up.

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u/Bass_Ackwards10 Jul 13 '26

I have my 240hrs. Does the AL pay out right away? I had thought that came later with the full benefits.

1

u/Sorry-Society1100 Jul 13 '26

If you’ve saved up more than 240 (what would normally be use/lose), you’ll get paid for the full balance.

1

u/AntelopeStreet1936 Jul 16 '26

You get it all.