ArpeggioBach -- "I work with a carrier who needs some help finding out retirement information."
-- How close is the carrier to retirement? If within a year, the carrier is behind the planning curve and needs to get going.
-- FERS or CSRS?
-- Disability Retirement? All the paperwork i's have to be dotted and the t's crossed before getting out. Same for Social Security.
-- Has the carrier attained MRA = minimum retirement age? MRA table in below article. And years of creditable service?
-- The carrier can pick any date for retirement. Last day of the month is usually best for FERS. Google "best date to retire".
-- "Am I Ready To Retire?" article in the July 2016 issue of the national magazine's Question Box section.
-- Search for "retirement" in RI's KNOWLEDGEBASE section. 43-page item "Planning for retirement"
-- Search www.opm.gov for retirement info.
-- RI has a "Retirement and Benefits" section under the "select forum" ( top right hand area of the page )
-- Have to apply for Medicare at age 65 - whether collecting SS or not.
-- Search www.socialsecurity.gov for retirment info.
-- Contact Shared Services in in Greensboro, NC: 1-877-477-3273 about 3 to 4 months prior to retirement date. Or ASAP -- will get a packet of info and forms. A rep will be assigned and a date set up to go over the paperwork via phone. Session lasts 30 to 60 minutes. Have spouse there for the phone session. Once rep is happy with paperwork, make copies, mail it in ( at least certified to ensure the packet got there ).
-- If enrolled in FEHBP and planning on keeping it into retirement, must have been enrolled for 5 years prior to retirement.
-- Does the carrier have anything in the TSP? Call TSP ( 1-877-968-3778 ) about a month after retirement date. TSP service rep will not offer advice on options. Best to contact a financial adviser regarding what to do with TSP.
-- Unused Sick Leave can be converted to additional service time for annuity calculation only. Google for conversion table.
-- Unused Annual Leave will be paid in last pay check. Usually sent to the carrier's post office about a month or so after retirement date ( so don't tell off the PM or supervisor when going out the door on the retirement date! ). Gives the USPS time to go over records to ensure carrier does not owe the USPS any money, such as advanced leave being used up before the end of the Leave Year.
-- "Postal Retirement" check comes from the OPM ( Office of Personnel Management ). OPM will mail retiree two separate envelopes two or three weeks after retirement date. One will be the CSA ( Civil Service Annuitant ) claim number. ( DON'T lose it! ). The other will be a temporary password. Both are needed to access www.serviceonline.opm.gov. Once there, establish a permanent password on the first visit.
-- Once retired, one deals with OPM, not the USPS. The day after retirement date, log on to liteblue with EID and PIN, if rejected, the USPS is official done with the carrier.
-- Good luck to the carrier.
