Unless, of course, you cannot make your partner of more than 30 years your spouse, because of the Federal Defense of Marriage act.
Then all bets are off.
Re: Survivor Benefits
Paralegal Specialist ODAR Thu Dec 4, 2008 9:28 AM
Yes, the good ol' Defense of Marriage Act. My partner and I of almost 20 years have had to go through numerous hoops just to make sure that we are entitled to each other's benefits, well...with the little that we can actually get. Oh but wait, I forgot...if we were actually able to get each other's benefits as easily as married folks, that would be considered "special"rights.
Re: Survivor Benefits
Computer Specialist VA Thu Dec 4, 2008 10:06 AM
I respectfully request that future articles on this topic include considerations and guidance for those of us who have long-term life partners, but are unable to marry because of DOMA.
Re: Survivor Benefits
IT Spec DOE Thu Dec 4, 2008 10:11 AM
I agree with Acct Tech and Paralegal Specialist. Whom we love has no bearing on how hard we work or how much we contribute to society.
I too have been in a same sex relationship with someone for over 20 years.
Not having our relationship recognized as a marriage has cost us extra years in the work force as we try to accumulate enough for retirement. It's difficult enough to prepare for retirement, we don't need the additional hurdles created by bigotry and homophobia.
Question on survivor benefits
Program Leader SSA Thu Dec 4, 2008 9:26 AM
CSRS offset; took out about $10,000 when quit in the early 80's. If I repay it with interest ($45,000) at retirement, will the dollar for dollar reimbursement of contributions of which you speak be on the $10,000 or the $45,000?
Thank you for your helpful articles.
survivor annuity question
Admin Officer VA Thu Dec 4, 2008 10:27 AM
My spouse and I are both government employees. I am FERS, he is CSRS offset. Since we would each take a 10% reduction in our annuity to provide a 50% survivor annuity for our spouse, finiancially speaking would the best option be for us NOT to elect a survivor annuity for each other?
Why worry?
Program Analyst OPM Thu Dec 4, 2008 10:36 AM
You are dead, anyway!
IF ?
Sys Admin USDA Thu Dec 4, 2008 2:33 PM
" IF " I die after I retire? I didn't know I had an option!
Re: IF ?
Clerk DOI Mon Dec 8, 2008 11:00 AM
This is as opposed to the information addressing PRE-retirement death.
What happens to your retirement contributions
Letter carrier USPS Retired Thu Dec 4, 2008 4:06 PM
I have never been able to find this answer so thanks if you can help. Should you die before your contribution to your retirement is used in full. will your spouse receive the remainer in a lump had you not taken survivor benifits. Thank you in advance for this answer. tsimp300@yahoo.com
Insurable interest
Internal Revenue Agent IRS Fri Dec 12, 2008 9:25 AM
You are only addressing spouses. the CSR retirement book states you can take a survivor annuity....The paragraph implies even fiance/ fiancee. My question is about grown up children that are not medical disabled but you are providing economic support and leave with you. It is something that will be more common in the future considering the state of the economy at the present. I have 31 years so I can retire anytime and no one seems to be addressing this point. How can a bethroed have more status than a blood relative. I hope you address this point in the very near future. Thanks in advance.
M. E. Faunde, Plantation, Fl
Re: Insurable interest
Special Agent OIG-USPS Fri May 1, 2009 11:00 AM
Has anyone addressed this issue? Are they entitled as your beneficiary?
Living Trust
Office Automation Assistant NNSA/DOE/LSO Thu Jan 8, 2009 2:59 PM
Is there any POC in my Agency that can assist me in how to prepare a Living Trust, so it can be state in an appropriate way about the Beneficiaries or who is the POC in my Agency that I can bring this and other questions.
Thank you so much,
AnaMaria Osorio
(925) 423-4507
Special Retirement
John t. Emmert Federal Civil Service Retired Wed Feb 4, 2009 2:11 PM
I am retired and when I die my wife will receive less than the 55% alloted under the Civil Service Retirement System(CSRS). Is there any way that I can increase her allotment to 55% ?
John T. Emmert
Special Retirement
John t. Emmert Federal Civil Service Retired Wed Feb 4, 2009 2:12 PM
I am retired and when I die my wife will receive less than the 55% alloted under the Civil Service Retirement System(CSRS). Is there any way that I can increase her allotment to 55% ?
John T. Emmert
health insurance
Equipment Specialist USAF Fri Feb 27, 2009 1:47 PM
What amount of Survivors Annuity do you need to take, so your spouse will be able to continue your health insurance and Uncle will continue to pay his share.
Beneficiary not to receive a check upon death
EO Specialist Dept of the Air Force Fri Aug 14, 2009 9:05 AM
Does that mean my beneficiary will not have the option of receiving a lump sum check upon death. Can you explain this money market account and a checkbook for the account? Never heard of this before. What other option do we have if we do not want to go through this route? Also, I have 4 designated beneficiaries, does this apply to them as well?
Thank you.
Checking your OPF not possible
Retired Human Resources Officer Interior Fri Aug 14, 2009 9:16 AM
Re your suggestion to "check your OPF" regarding beneficiary forms, WRONG! This is impossible since your OPF is retained at the Federal Records Center in St Louis, not at your old agency. Instead, you should check with OPM, giving them your CSA number so that they can verify who your beneficiary of record is.
Death benefit
Revenue Agent IRS Mon Aug 17, 2009 11:28 AM
Can you discuss benefits of a CSRS employee that dies while in retirement to children if there is no spouse.
Cost of Health Insurance
MS&H Assistant USDOL/MSHA Tue Aug 18, 2009 8:08 AM
I would like to know the cost of my Health Insurance after I retire. I have Blue Cross - the cost per month is approximately $140 a month for my part. Does the Government pick any of their part up after I retire or do I have to pay the entire amount. By that time I will be on Medicare a year before I retire. It may be cheaper for me to go with one of their options than to keep Blue Cross. Would sure appreciate your answer.
Survivor Benefits
USDA
Thu Dec 4, 2008 8:43 AM
Unless, of course, you cannot make your partner of more than 30 years your spouse, because of the Federal Defense of Marriage act.
Then all bets are off.
Re: Survivor Benefits
ODAR
Thu Dec 4, 2008 9:28 AM
Re: Survivor Benefits
VA
Thu Dec 4, 2008 10:06 AM
Re: Survivor Benefits
DOE
Thu Dec 4, 2008 10:11 AM
I too have been in a same sex relationship with someone for over 20 years.
Not having our relationship recognized as a marriage has cost us extra years in the work force as we try to accumulate enough for retirement. It's difficult enough to prepare for retirement, we don't need the additional hurdles created by bigotry and homophobia.
Question on survivor benefits
SSA
Thu Dec 4, 2008 9:26 AM
CSRS offset; took out about $10,000 when quit in the early 80's. If I repay it with interest ($45,000) at retirement, will the dollar for dollar reimbursement of contributions of which you speak be on the $10,000 or the $45,000?
Thank you for your helpful articles.
survivor annuity question
VA
Thu Dec 4, 2008 10:27 AM
My spouse and I are both government employees. I am FERS, he is CSRS offset. Since we would each take a 10% reduction in our annuity to provide a 50% survivor annuity for our spouse, finiancially speaking would the best option be for us NOT to elect a survivor annuity for each other?
Why worry?
OPM
Thu Dec 4, 2008 10:36 AM
You are dead, anyway!
IF ?
USDA
Thu Dec 4, 2008 2:33 PM
" IF " I die after I retire? I didn't know I had an option!
Re: IF ?
DOI
Mon Dec 8, 2008 11:00 AM
What happens to your retirement contributions
USPS Retired
Thu Dec 4, 2008 4:06 PM
I have never been able to find this answer so thanks if you can help. Should you die before your contribution to your retirement is used in full. will your spouse receive the remainer in a lump had you not taken survivor benifits. Thank you in advance for this answer.
tsimp300@yahoo.com
Insurable interest
IRS
Fri Dec 12, 2008 9:25 AM
You are only addressing spouses. the CSR retirement book states you can take a survivor annuity....The paragraph implies even fiance/ fiancee. My question is about grown up children that are not medical disabled but you are providing economic support and leave with you. It is something that will be more common in the future considering the state of the economy at the present. I have 31 years so I can retire anytime and no one seems to be addressing this point. How can a bethroed have more status than a blood relative. I hope you address this point in the very near future. Thanks in advance.
M. E. Faunde, Plantation, Fl
Re: Insurable interest
OIG-USPS
Fri May 1, 2009 11:00 AM
Living Trust
NNSA/DOE/LSO
Thu Jan 8, 2009 2:59 PM
Is there any POC in my Agency that can assist me in how to prepare a Living Trust, so it can be state in an appropriate way about the Beneficiaries or who is the POC in my Agency that I can bring this and other questions.
Thank you so much,
AnaMaria Osorio
(925) 423-4507
Special Retirement
Federal Civil Service Retired
Wed Feb 4, 2009 2:11 PM
I am retired and when I die my wife will receive less than the 55% alloted under the Civil Service Retirement System(CSRS). Is there any way that I can increase her allotment to 55% ?
John T. Emmert
Special Retirement
Federal Civil Service Retired
Wed Feb 4, 2009 2:12 PM
I am retired and when I die my wife will receive less than the 55% alloted under the Civil Service Retirement System(CSRS). Is there any way that I can increase her allotment to 55% ?
John T. Emmert
health insurance
USAF
Fri Feb 27, 2009 1:47 PM
What amount of Survivors Annuity do you need to take, so your spouse will be able to continue your health insurance and Uncle will continue to pay his share.
Beneficiary not to receive a check upon death
Dept of the Air Force
Fri Aug 14, 2009 9:05 AM
Does that mean my beneficiary will not have the option of receiving a lump sum check upon death. Can you explain this money market account and a checkbook for the account? Never heard of this before. What other option do we have if we do not want to go through this route? Also, I have 4 designated beneficiaries, does this apply to them as well?
Thank you.
Checking your OPF not possible
Interior
Fri Aug 14, 2009 9:16 AM
Re your suggestion to "check your OPF" regarding beneficiary forms, WRONG! This is impossible since your OPF is retained at the Federal Records Center in St Louis, not at your old agency. Instead, you should check with OPM, giving them your CSA number so that they can verify who your beneficiary of record is.
Death benefit
IRS
Mon Aug 17, 2009 11:28 AM
Can you discuss benefits of a CSRS employee that dies while in retirement to children if there is no spouse.
Cost of Health Insurance
USDOL/MSHA
Tue Aug 18, 2009 8:08 AM
I would like to know the cost of my Health Insurance after I retire. I have Blue Cross - the cost per month is approximately $140 a month for my part. Does the Government pick any of their part up after I retire or do I have to pay the entire amount. By that time I will be on Medicare a year before I retire. It may be cheaper for me to go with one of their options than to keep Blue Cross. Would sure appreciate your answer.