Re: Rollover Unused Sick Leave

I would also like to roll-over the annual leave lump sum. So if I can't I'll just put what I can into a Roth or regular IRA. I know it is not the same but I'll take part of a loaf.

Re: Rollover Unused Sick Leave

This idea is not a costly concept. In the big picture, it’s insignificant. Uncle is going to get the tax either way.

Instead of getting sick leave time added to your length of service (increasing your pension year after year), with this proposal you would have the option to put the cash value in your TSP. You are getting the money for your sick leave, but I believe it would now be an either/or, either added in your pension (current system), or, as a chunk to your TSP in exchange for an annualized percentage cut to your planned pension.

Most people got whacked during the downturn, and this concept would help replenish the TSP account.

Re: social security

I agree completely. Since we've long passed the point of no return on the national debt (i.e., so large it can never be paid back!), why don't they change the GPO/WEP Social Security rules?

This would positively affect hundreds of thousands of federal, state, and local retirees - military, police, school teachers, etc. I worked 15 years in the private sector, the military, and while I was a federal employee as an adjunct prof. at a local college.

Unlike some friends that went with EDS, IBM, etc. after military service for the big bucks, stock options, bonuses, etc., I decided to continue serving my country and joined the federal civil service, retiring after 40 years.

Now that I'm retired, I have my Social Security benefit cut to the bone! My SS check barely pays for my Medicare premium!! They really did eliminate my "windfall" with the GPO/WEP rules!!! Of course, my private sector friends collect their full SS plus their full corporate retirement!

Where's the justice?

Re: social security

where's the justice?? You paid little into the SS system and now want to take it out in handfuls. SS isn't the lottery if you want to gamble a couple of dollars and turn it into millions buy a lottery card

Re: social security

Diversity Manager (????)

You have no idea how much someone has paid in to the "SS" system. You assume (and you know what that does) that when someone leaves "CS" they get a minumum wage job and pay little into "SS" as you claim.
It so happens a lot of "CS" retirees make more after they retire and pay quite a bit into "SS". They may have had part time business or jobs and have paid "SS" all along.
Your broad brush strokes that you use to paint all "CS" in a bad light is getting old and off base.

Re: social security

To diversity manager,
More huge swipes, but really saying nothing. Define paying a little and getting hadfuls as it relates to the comment you were talking about..We only want what others get and should not be penalized because we collect a federal pension.

Re: social security

If a group of people are treated differently than the majority of people then we call it discrimination and that is what is happening with the people that is caught in the WEP/GPO web. President Regan made sure that his administration screwed all government workers equally. A new retirement system for FERS and the WEP/GPO for CSRS. Smile and be happy!

Re: CSRS Retirement

The answer is no. Getting rid of these offsets would cost the federal treasury too much money. I do not believe that the two offsets are unfair in theory. What is unfair is that the offsets have not been adjusted for inflation. This is the major problem. Remember the Social Security "notch babies". The Congressmen and women promised to correct the problem, eventually almost all of the "notch babies" died of old age, and the political problem was solved.

Re: CSRS Retirement

To: Retired - IRS

Please read my post above and explain just how you "do not believe that the two offsets are unfair in theory".

Oh, I forgot -- you worked for the IRS!!! This is a prime example of why nobody trusts the Govt!!

What kind of convoluted bean counter thinking is involved here? Paying citizens what they were due under the rules in force when they signed up for SS "would cost the federal treasury too much money"? Really!! The Government honoring its word on a deal long ago made is just too much of a burden?

Why not just terminate _all_ SS payments immediately, since they cost the federal treasury "too much money" now!

This line of thinking is simply unbelievable -- what in the world are you thinking? Get real, please!

Besides, as I pointed out in my post above, the national debt is past the point of no return already -- we're dreaming if we think we can pay back the trillions we already owe, in addition to the coming trillions that are about to be forced upon us!

Re: CSRS Retirement

Dear Retired the most you would have contributed to SS when you worked part time is a few thousand $$. Now you want the system to pat $1000 a month.
Just to help you we are talking SS here not Las Vegas. You want that kind of a return catch a plane and bet your years pension on 1 number in roulette

Re: CSRS Retirement

I started working for the government prior to Reagan. I had some social security credits.
When I retire and work for social security benefits, I should be allowed to collect social security the same way as a housewife who starts working late in life in order to collect social security benefits. Additionally, if my wife passes away before I do, I should have the same rights as any other taxpayer to collect the portion of her benefits as they do. These are earned benefits.
To retired IRS-We do not agree, but your comments are still reasonable.
To retired DOC-I agree with your position, but your comments about the IRS are uncalled for. Most IRS workers are like anyone else. They work for a living doing the best they can to enforce tax law.
To diversity manager,-Your comment is idiotic. You spout numbers with no basis in them. Get the facts before you comment.

Re: CSRS Retirement

To diversity manager,
How do you know how much he contributed or worked. Did you see his pay stub? How do you know how much he will collect? Did you see the computation?
Know what you are talking about. You wilol be more creditable.

Re: CSRS Retirement

I am an IRS employee who agrees that the Reagan sponsored Pension offset/Windfall elimination was and is not fair. If you have paid into the system then you should be able to collect based upon what you have paid in, regardless of what diversity manager thinks. This law has been extremely detrimental to those federal spouses whose spouse worked under SS and are unable to collect a portion of their benefit. It has come time to reverse the hateful Ronald Reagan bill introduced specifically to hurt federal employees and their families.