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The FERS Special Retirement Supplement (and Special Category Employees)

Madness

FERS Employee
US
Fri Sep 11, 2009 6:41 AM

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So is there a reason for this madness? I think everyone thinks of Social Security as a retirement plan but I don’t think that is what it was designed to be. Just because a well defined retirement plan has fallen by the waist side in today’s world people rely on it so much.

Re: Madness

HR Assistant
Treasury
Fri Sep 11, 2009 7:30 AM
I believe when congress did away with the old civil service system, the FERS system was designed as 3 tiered, FERS, TSP, and Social Security since all FERS employees pay into social security along with the CSRS Offset employees.

FERS employees really need to be putting as much into TSP as possible because that is where their main retirement will come from.

For older FERS employees that have done the best they could about inputting into TSP, depending on their salary (which I happen to be in the under 50,000 range),
will need that 3rd tier of social security which is part of our retirement package.

SS Supplement means nothing

Engineer
FAA
Fri Sep 11, 2009 6:59 AM

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The supplement means nothing to me. I'm not going until 62 anyway

Boehner is nothing but a big corporation shill who collects the benefits of the federal govt with one hand and tries to knock retirement checks out of the hands of fed retirees with the other.

The first step for the Republicans is getting decent leadership in the House and Senate (remember Bill Frist - not even half the man Trent Lott was). Boehner and McConnell need to go. Don't even get me started on Reid and Pelosi (they can go too).

All that said, I don't count on SS being there at all when I go, or if it is it'll be some watered down version (due to the govt being broke and cutting back on all entitlements).

So the supplement means nothing to me.

Re: SS Supplement means nothing

Fed Peasant
DOD
Fri Sep 11, 2009 5:17 PM
Boehner is catering to, & stroking, the anti-government worker faction. As for the republicans....they will be "born again" as a new & viable third party for the USA. The Grand OLD Party is too damaged by extremists & false fiscal conservatives. This 3rd party will get some democrats too, as it leaves the leader (Rush) in the rear view mirror.

SRS

federal officer
doj-bop
Fri Sep 11, 2009 8:21 AM

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There are several agencies, that have mandatory retirements. Bureau of Prisons. We are forced to retire at 57. As we have a shorter employment time, even if we max out in TSP. We would never be able to live on that alone. The creation SRS was made to cover us and several other LEO's. Imagine how we feel, risk our lives daily for 20 yrs or more, forced to retire, and then have to look for another job.....even with SRS, several of our retirees, are no working part-time or full time jobs. Where is the justice for us?

FERS and Government Employees

HRS
IRS
Fri Sep 11, 2009 9:03 AM

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What else will goverment workers have to sacrafice. As for me, giving over 20 years of service to the government feel like a door mat anymore, with more and more being taken away from me and do not feel appreciated. Without us dedicated governement workers the work will not be a quality product. I see what type of workers are coming in and if you do not offer incentives to work for the goverment we are in trouble.

Re: FERS and Government Employees

IT Spec
DOE
Fri Sep 11, 2009 11:17 AM
HRS IRS what a load of cr@p. Look around you in private industry and tell me there isn't incentive for Government workers. Even without the supplement we still get 5% matching on TSP and a pension and by far more job security than private industry.

I will glady take the supplement, but I don't buy into your sob story at all. I know there are plenty of people lined up to take my job for the incentives I am offered.

There is a real divide between government workers and private industry. Private industry employees are being raped of their benefits. I have a real hard time feeling sorry for us Federal employees.

Re: FERS and Government Employees

Fed Peasant
DOD
Fri Sep 11, 2009 5:46 PM
IT Spec DOE:
There are people eating out of garbage cans, & sleeping beneath highway overpasses. That has no bearing. How far will you take that logic?? This person was expressing legitimate personal views. However, if you feel this kinship, guilt, & empathy, then go to the private sector. That will create a vacancy, to serve one of those you anguish over.they can be hired into your job.

FERS SUPPLEMENT

Secretary
Department of Navy
Fri Sep 11, 2009 9:15 AM

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I am not sure why someone would actually take the supplement, unless it would be for health reasons. If you work until you are age 62 (and don't go before that time) you will not be entitled to the supplement----BUT remember the supplement is short lived---it stops at age 62. Be sure to do the math----if you stay to age 62, your FERS annuity will be calculated at 1.1% of your high 3 years; if you go before age 62, it is calculated at 1.0%. Believe it or not, the amount that you will be giving up (per month/per year) can be substantial if you retire before age 62. My husband almost went with a Supplement until WE DID THE MATH!!! Be sure you know the consequences of leaving early.

Re: FERS SUPPLEMENT

HR Specialist
USDA
Fri Sep 11, 2009 10:22 AM
Why would someone actually take the supplement? Because there's life outside of work and money isn't everything. I have 30 1/2 years of gov't service, but not the age, otherwise, I would retire NOW. I will be eligible to retire in 2 1/2 years and am definitely leaving. There's NO WAY I'm working until I'm 62......I don't care how much more $$$ I would get. I am a CSRS offset and even if the SS supplement is eliminated, I'm still leaving at 56.

Re: FERS SUPPLEMENT

HRS
CBP
Tue Sep 29, 2009 9:12 AM
HR Specialist USDA, as a CSRS employee your ARE NOT entitled to this supplement, so your comment makes no sense. You can retire with full CSRS benefits in 2 1/2 years.

Does this apply to us?

Aviation Safety Inspector
FAA
Fri Sep 11, 2009 10:35 AM

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I have been told that at 57 with 30 years of Gov service that I am eligible for the special retirement supplement, is this true? Your artical has only addressed SCE's, what about the rest of us? Please dumb it down for me.

Re: Does this apply to us?

HRS
CBP
Tue Sep 29, 2009 9:15 AM
Regular employess are addressed in the 7th paragraph. It starts with "In contrast". re-read the article.

FERS SSR/RETIREMENT COMPUTATION

Logistics Mgmt Specialist
Air Force Base
Fri Sep 11, 2009 11:00 AM

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All FERS Employees need to rally togather and rebel in reference to the proposal of eliminating the SSR and the high five. The FERS has already short changed the Gov't employees in comparison to the CSRS employees. It appears they want their retired employees to retire destitute and not be able to enjoy their retirement years after various years of service. FERS Employees do not receive cost of living increases until age 62, less percentage calculated for pension, etc., how many more sacrifices do we have to make to this economy? I do not know how it was allowed to be implemented the injustices of the new retirement system in comparison to the CSRS.
Also, when I started with the Gov't in 1985 I was under the CSRS and then switched to the new system, what type of credit do I get for the seven years prior to implementation of the new system in 1992.
It appears the system wants to make our generation the sacrificial lambs for the economy.

Re: FERS SSR/RETIREMENT COMPUTATION

HR Specialist
VA
Fri Sep 11, 2009 3:03 PM
If you started in CSRS, you would have had to begin before 1985. FERS took effect for all new hires starting in 1984. Are you sure about the dates?

Re: FERS SSR/RETIREMENT COMPUTATION

HRS
CBP
Tue Sep 29, 2009 9:21 AM
Anyone entering the federal government after December 31,1983, is automatically covered under FERS,
Total Comments: 40
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