Litigation Official Dept of labor Fri Jun 12, 2009 8:30 AM
It really irritates me to know that sick leave has been abused by many FTE's through out their career and especially near retirement. The government turns us into liars when we near this stage in our lives by trying to recoup some of these benifits. Additionally, it is proven that giving credit for un-used sick leave hours not only increased production but saves millions of dollars a year. Our elected officials should look into the mirror and ask them selves who put them in these positions and remove the one that are not there for the intrest of the taxpayers.
Re: FERS sick leave
Engineer FAA Fri Jun 12, 2009 7:08 PM
The govt doesn't turn us into liars! If you abuse S/L, then take responsibility for it, and stop blaming the govt. If you decide to lie about S/L in order to cash in, then admit you are a liar, and stop pointing the finger anywhere else but directly at yourself.
Anybody who doesn't like their benefit package (CSRS or FERS), just quit and stop your whining.
Sick Leave Counted for FERS Retirement
HR DHHS Fri Jun 12, 2009 8:35 AM
As a CSRS employee who was offered the choice to switch many years ago, I chose to stay in CSRS and give up the free government contribution if I had switched to FERS. If the bill had passed, employees who had that choice and switched to FERS would get the best of both worlds, while those like me would not. If the bill is re-considered, it should have a provision giving CSRS employees that subsidy retroactively, otherwise it does not deserve to pass.
Re: Sick Leave Counted for FERS Retirement
worker Fed Fri Jun 12, 2009 9:20 AM
Lets get all of the facts on the differences between FERS and CSRS. I am in CSRS and refused FERS also.
The sick leave benefit is minor. It adds 2% per year to your retirement benefits if you have saved up one year of sick leave. More for more leave, less for less leave. This is not comparable to the matching benefit in TSP.
FERS employees get 1%/yr times the number of years as their pension benefit. (1.1 if they retire at 62.) We get 1.5% for the first five years, 1.75% for the next 5 years and 2% thereafter. They get no cost of living until age 62; then cost of living -1% if inflation exceeds 3%. We get cost of livings as soon as we retire. They get a social security supplement until age 62, then reduced social security.
I believe FERS people are correct in their position. If nothing else, it would reduce the chances of the FERS flu.
They would gain a benefit, just like CSRS people, for not abusing sick leave.
Re: Sick Leave Counted for FERS Retirement
Technical Specialist DOD Fri Jun 12, 2009 9:23 AM
You may not get the input from the Government under CSRS, but you don't pay Social Security plus into FERS either for your retirement.
Re: Sick Leave Counted for FERS Retirement
Fed worker DOI Fri Jun 12, 2009 9:57 AM
How fortunate of you to have a choice!
Re: Sick Leave Counted for FERS Retirement
HR CBP Fri Jun 12, 2009 10:20 AM
As a CSRS employee I want to say, THANK YOU "worker" (fed). Well said.
When given the opportunity to switch to FERS, my decision was not based on sick leave, but the entire CSRS retirement annuity package. Those employee's that leaped before they looked, have regretted their decision, because they realized that the government matching is strictly based on their contributions, and the automatic 1% is a joke when you compare it with the CSRS annuity.
FERS employees should be given the same consideration regarding their sick leave at retirement as CSRS employees, it's only fair.
It's not unfair.
Program Analyst Treasury Fri Jun 12, 2009 8:41 AM
If you want to talk about unfair, let's discuss the fact that CSRS folks do not get a match of their TSP contributions. So, FERS folks, get over it.
Re: It's not unfair.
Reactionist Socialist Reaction Agency Fri Jun 12, 2009 9:04 AM
CSRS folks need to get over it. You had a chance to switch and didn't. Why - becasue EVEN WITH THE 5% MATCH in FERS, you knew that the CSRS benefits were much better. The SL credit to FERS would be worth SIGNIFNCATLY LESS than it is to you.
CSRS folks will soon be a thing of the past and irrelevant to the discussion, then FERS can have the attention of Congress all to themselves to get the inequitys resolved.
Re: It's not unfair.
ACF Specialist DHHS Mon Jun 15, 2009 8:04 AM
O.K., To solve the great debate CSRS came first. That is the better retirement. When was the last time you saw a major change in a retirement fund that benefited the people it was meant for. If gaining the sick leave benefit was the single thing that made a CSRS person change to FERS I would say I'm sorry- "You are an IDIOT". The FERS people will continue to attempt to better there situation until they retire. End of Story. Like someone said earlier, You knew what you signed on for, if you don't like it leave. But if you stay continue advocating for yourself, but don't whine.
FERS Retirement
Flt Procedures Specialist FAA Fri Jun 12, 2009 8:41 AM
Great advice. If the scant difference in ones retirement check is the basis for retirement - they likely cannot afford to retire. I estimate for me that such a change in policy will result in an extra $1400/yr, or $116/mo - IF I have 2087 hrs of remaining sick leave which is unlikely. If I NEED that to retire I better keep working! I am thankful that I have been thus far in good health and have not needed to use sick leave for other than routine appts, mild illness, and family care. In 6 years I will depart and Uncle Sam can have what remains of my sick leave and I will take my HEALTH with me................not an issue for me.
FERS sick leave
Supv Supply Management Specialist Army Fri Jun 12, 2009 8:41 AM
I was a CSRS who converted to FERS. I have over 700 hrs of sick leave, which is my insurance policy. I still have 4-5 years before retirement, so if it does pass great, if not, well I know I had the security of all those hours to use. Personnel have to remember that sick leave is allowed to be used for other purposes besides your own. Family leave, bereavment, etc.
FERS Sick Leave Changes
ARC SSA Fri Jun 12, 2009 8:42 AM
As one who can be impacted by legislation to use sick leave in the annuity computation, I must admit that your counsel and guidance were as straight forward and simple as any that I have read or seen. There is something to the acronyms - KISS and my friend you have kept it simple in helping this one civil servant to redirect the focus and for that I say, thanks.
FERS Sick Leave Changes
Retired FED courts Fri Jun 12, 2009 8:45 AM
with spouse still working under the FERS system does anyone know when the final product be resolved in a conference committee??
Sick Leave and FERS
Steven Swarrz IRS-TAS Fri Jun 12, 2009 8:48 AM
I have been with the IRS since 1988 in the FERS retirement system. I now have accumulated over 1500 of sick leave and I can retire as early as August 2010. I may lose those 1500 hours if Congress does not pass the legislation, but I am not upset. You see my wife also works for the government (USDA) and had life threatening surgery that kept her out of work for nearly six months. If she had not had her SL (almost as much as me) we would have suffered financially. Our FERS SL like an insurance policy and if you need it, it is great to have it!
FERS sick leave
Program Technician Farm Service Agency Fri Jun 12, 2009 8:51 AM
Thank you for putting this topic in perspective. I am one of many in FERS, ready to retire whenever I plan to.
I have been waiting on the outcome of this legislation, but know it can be a long haul.
You have given very clear and helpful suggestions for me and I would think others like myself.
FERS Flu
Retired from Justice Department GS 1811 USDOJ retired Fri Jun 12, 2009 8:52 AM
What's being over looked regarding "FERS FLU" is management letting employees abuse their sick leave. I retired from the Justice Department after 20 years and had almost 1,000 hours of sick leave accumulated. I was FERS. I used my sick leave responsibly and when appropriate and frequently. What we have is a generation of federal employees who don't know how good they have it compared to the rest of the US population.
Unused Sick Leave for FERS
FAA Aviation Safety Inspector DOT/FAA Fri Jun 12, 2009 8:58 AM
Why not donate your sick leave before retiring to someone in your agency that is on the leave donation program? Your sick leave will provide great benefit to a person/family in great need.
Re: Unused Sick Leave for FERS
worker Fed Fri Jun 12, 2009 9:24 AM
I believe only annual leave can be donated. Please check with the leave bank and let me know.
Re: Unused Sick Leave for FERS
HR CBP Fri Jun 12, 2009 10:46 AM
You can only donate annual leave to the leave donor program.
Re: Unused Sick Leave for FERS
DA Analyst Army Fri Jun 12, 2009 11:36 AM
Correct. Currently, only annual leave can be donated.
A change that would allow people to donate sick leave to the leave donation pool for their organization or their area might be a good change IF sick leave can't be used toward retirement. I think it would be a nice alternative.
Re: Unused Sick Leave for FERS
EE DOD Tue Jun 16, 2009 10:10 AM
Sick leave is funded with overhead funds, not planned for. That is why management don't want you to use too much sick leave. Annual leave, on the other hand, is calculated into your labor rate. If they were to allow you to donate sick leave, some one who is really sick will be using a lot of money funded from overhead and that would create a lot of problems for management by being a drain in overhead spending. Overhead is use to pay staff employees, lights, maintenance, etc. as well as SOME sick leave.
True Story
Retired (Technical Expert) Social Security Admin Fri Jun 12, 2009 8:59 AM
My friend and colleague with 10 months accrued sick leave and 30 years of service became ill and had to be hospitalized. Upon testing, he had stage 3 colon cancer. His sick leave allowed him to get paid for 10 months, added to his service and then when it was gone, he retired. You never know what life brings. The year he was sick he also had tremendous out of pocket expenses since some doctors were not in network and even those in network, the co-pays mounted up. His personal savings saw him through. Saving, whether leave or money, is where people should put their efforts.
Penny Wise and Pound Foolish
HR Specialist Dept of Labor Fri Jun 12, 2009 8:59 AM
Not allowing FERS employees to use Sick Leave towards their service accrual is a real example of being penny wise and pound foolish. There is a real reason that CSRS employees are allowed to use their Sick Leave for this purpose. It was because before that they were using up all their Sick Leave at the end of their careers, as well. Now FERS employees will only be able to use their Sick Leave by using it up, getting paid for it, and also accruing the time toward their retirement, as well.
I am not saying that all FERS employees will be abusing their Sick Leave, but if you are close to retirement and you wake up with a bad headache, are you really going to feel like toughing it out, or are you going to call in sick? If you have a doctor's appointment that takes up 4 hours, are you going to go in for half a day? Think about it.
Re: Penny Wise and Pound Foolish
CBP Employee Customs and Border Protection Fri Jun 12, 2009 10:01 AM
When considering the value of Sick Leave, it is wise to save the up Sick Leave in the event you really need it. It is also a fact that the value of accured leave increases when your pay increases. If you are under FERS, you have control of your Sick Leave until you retire, then you loose that control. So use it up at the end of your career (if you didn't get a major illness in the process). I'm sure the extra "wellness" days will do wonders to boost your overall health as you get ready to retire. Plus, you will have maximized the value of your Sick Leave.
The Value of Sick Leave
Construction Engineer U.S. Forest Service Fri Jun 12, 2009 9:21 AM
I am in the FERS system, will be 62 this year, and I plan to retire in December. I had accured nearly 600 hours of sick leave when I became very ill with fibromyalgia nearly 3 years ago. Since then I have had to use most of my sick leave for doctors visits, treatments, and bed rest. I am now down to 14 hours of sick leave, but I am doing much better. Thank God I had saved all of that leave - you just never know!
Hanging on to hope
Director USDA Fri Jun 12, 2009 9:27 AM
I personally will be happy when this "round" of Federal Whiners . . .
- the ones who want EVERYTHING they can get from Uncle Sam,
- the ones who are whining about they should get paid out the SL.
- The ones who have "headaches" so they can use up the last part of their SL before the retirement
. . have retired. Goodbye and enjoy your retirement. Just make the decision and do it instead of trying to take advantage of every possible thing. Your federal career was good to you and you made it what it is.
FERS SICK LEAVE
HEAD, MANPOWER BRANCH DoD, U.S. MARINE CORPS Fri Jun 12, 2009 9:31 AM
For me, I never expected anything from the government except a job, while I will retire with nearly 2000 hours of sick leave, I can only thank God that I have had to use it only sparingly. If there is another perk, perhaps a cash payout for unused sick leave we all are entitled to a payout for annual.
FERS Sick Leave
engineer USBR Fri Jun 12, 2009 10:18 AM
What is the average hours of sick leave accumulated per year of service for CSRS and FERS employees? Do most of the requests for voluntary transfer of leave come from FERS employees? I know of CSRS employees that will take AL instead of SL to build up their SL hours. FERS employees that have used most of their sick leave at retirement are better off than a CSRS employee with a large bank of hours - they not only got paid for the SL hours used, it counted as time in service.
2 Cents Worth
Forester US Forest Service Fri Jun 12, 2009 12:38 PM
Many employees come into the office with the cold or flu who should take sick leave but are saving it (CSRS) because it adds to their retirement. If you have something that can make someone else sick please use your sick leave.
From the time I started approximately 27 years ago, I have been saving my sick leave, except for when I was sick as mentioned above. I have had a bad back since highschool and have known that some day I might be laid up for an extended time. That hasn't happened yet, but: 1) 5 yrs ago I lost my dad and sister in one year and 2) 2 yrs ago my 14 year old son was diagnosed with a serious illness and has been in and out of the hospital numerous times since.
Because of the Family Friendly leave act and because I have had a large bank of hours, I have been able to take off and handle these crisis without worrying about whether I would have a pay check or not.
Whether we get credit for SL is minor. Thank god for your health and that of your family.
What about FERS Refund Redeposit?
J. Gates, Engineer Dept of the Navy Fri Jun 12, 2009 2:09 PM
H.R. 1256 had a Section 115 "Authority to Deposit Refunds Under FERS" (formerly known over many years as the "FERS Redeposit Act"). It appears that Sec 115 is also now missing from the final Senate version. Can anyone tell me whether I'm interpreting this correctly or not; i.e. is the Sec 115 issue DOA again? I have 9.5 years prior service credit that I dearly want to buy back (as any CSRS employee would be able to). Have my hopes been dashed again?
CSRS/FERS
Human Resources Specialist IRS Fri Jun 12, 2009 2:23 PM
I was responsible for training employees regarding FERS and their options prior to FERS implementation. In fact, I
would have earned a larger annuity had I converted from CSRS to FERS, so those who argue that CSRS always provides a larger pension are simply wrong. I did not convert because I had concerns about Congressional interference with promised benefits. Specifically, given Congress's "borrowing" from Social Security funds without repayment, I was concerned about the viability of Social Security when I reach retirement age. In addition, I thought the Thrift Savings Plan to which I conftribute withouit matching too tempting a plum for Congress to leave alone. Given that Congress has frozen the funds several times and despite its retroactive payment of interest, I still find it disconcerting that it has not left the fund alone and then asserted that no harm has been done. I made an infomed choice for security of my pension, rather than expectation of a financial gain
CSRS/FERS Continued
Human Resources Specialist IRS Fri Jun 12, 2009 2:37 PM
Although I dispute the categorization of employees as whiners, note that it comes from an executive whose compensation and benefits are superior to the average employees, and question how one can direct or lead subordinates whom one holds in such low regard, I think it incumbent on all Federal employees to exploit to their advantage the respective benefits of their plans which are now superior to many offered in the private sector. Most CSRS employees do not accumulate sufficient sick leave to derive any significant benefit in their pension and have willingly foregone matching for the security of a defined benefit pension. Most FERS employees will also not accrue enough unused sick leave to make a difference and, instead, should be maximizing their contributions to the Thrift Savings Plan
with the funds that would have been deducted for a defined benefit CSRS pension. Educating oneself about one's benefits is the best way to ensure a decent retirement.
CSRS/FERS
Wkr Navy Fri Jun 12, 2009 2:40 PM
The CSRS and FERS programs were not meant to be identical, so why everyone continues to compare and chant, "I want what you have" is ridiculous.
use your sick leave
health specialist dod Fri Jun 12, 2009 11:34 PM
I have put off knee surgery, and 2 other surgeries over the years, because my position was always one deep. within the next year I will use my 2000 hours sick leave. "Then retire".
sick leave
health specialist dod Fri Jun 12, 2009 11:53 PM
responding to the engineer that suggests government employees should stop whinning!!!! I have sick leave because I have kept myself healthy, not everyone is fortunate. If the government can do corporate bail out at taxpayers expense,why not support the employee that has worked for less. please realize, that not everyone makes what an engineer makes and the few extra dollars a month does mean something to somepeople. Dont assume this benefit would not help some "American Citizen" . Also check out how much we pay Local Nationals in other countries when we close a base. double and even triple what and american is offered. So why is this such a big deal for our elected officials? Corporate Welfare, International welfare, Your own taxpayers!!!
Leave
food inspector USDA FSIS Sat Jun 13, 2009 8:46 AM
I guess the Senate members really don't care about getting re-elected!! Now a person just as well use the leave so we won't lose it.
No comparison
FAA Employee FAA Sun Jun 14, 2009 10:20 AM
I have no reason to compare to CSRS and ask for what they have.
Sick leave conversion should only be considered if it is a good thing for the Federal Goverment.
I think the data supports that the way it is is NOT good for the Gov. -- So sick leave conversion is a rather inexpensive way of keeping "sick leave flu" from occurring. Otherwise leave it as is and keep paying folks to take off at 100% pay and benefits towards the end of their career. That is the reality of what is happenng. Gov. will not solve it by starting to go hardline on sick leave use so what other choices do they have to solve this issue?
Just turn your sick leave into annual
ATC Controller FAA Sun Jun 14, 2009 10:24 PM
You may not be able to get back all of your sick leave this way but a pretty good portion of it at full dollar value. Just make sure that you bid up every available hour that you can when you bid your annual leave and turn some of that back into sick leave when you come back off vacation. They have already staffed for you being absent so your co-workers are not getting hammered by you not being there and management its not costing management a penny of overtime. You do this enough to make sure that when you retire you get the full 240 hours annual leave on the books as a cash payout and whatever else you were not able to use the government gets to keep .
Sick Time
Calibration Tech Federal Employee Mon Jun 15, 2009 8:04 AM
Everybody know that FERS employees WILL use there Sick Time just before retiring anyway.
Thank You
a FERS Employee
FERS Sick Leave
KO DOD Tue Jun 16, 2009 8:43 AM
Per your statement above, the CRS employees are receiving the benefit of unused sick leave toward their retirement without any deduction in their pay, all individuals that work for the government should be treated the same. When I started in government service prior (2 years) before FERS was enacted, I wasn't allowed to go on the CRS system but was kept in limbo until the new system started and was informed how much better it was than the CRS system. What a joke!
Sick leave
RN DVA Mon Jun 22, 2009 6:03 AM
Is you are retireing under FERS and have a lot of sick leave remaining, consider donating it to fellow employee who are ill and need it.
It feels good to know that someone else will benefit from your saved sick leave, even if you, personally, cannot.
Re: Sick leave
Test Control Officer USAF Tue Jul 7, 2009 9:28 AM
To RN DVA,
I strongly feel the same as you.
I'd love to be able to donate my unused sick leave hours I will have accrued by the time I retire to those who need additional sick leave hours.
However, no SICK LEAVE BANK has been discussed to be set up like the ANNAUL LEAVE BANK. This idea needs to be brought up but it won't be, I suspect because there is the Annual Leave Donation Program.
Robbie Sheehy
Re: Sick leave
postal employee post office Wed Jul 29, 2009 4:24 PM
i wish they would let us give somebody our sick leave, but they only will take our vacation time. I think people don't understand, the people who have their sick leave left are the people who showed up at work all the time, not a lot of slackers that called in sick all the time even when not sick. the people who go to work are the ones that really wanted to make our customer's happy and that's the reason you go to work no matter how you felt. so now the people who used all their time are laughing at the people who really care because we are the ones being screwed
FERS Sick Leave Senate Bill Dropped
Postal Inspector (Retired) US Postal Inspection Service Mon Jun 22, 2009 1:42 PM
The Government should do whatever it needs to do to reduce government costs, and rightfully so. However, to disallow FERS retirement system credit for unused sick leave does what healthy CSR retirees did for many decades: they systematically took sick leave during their last year of work. This in turn affected work productivity, group morale, and increase workload to unhappy peers. Often you see divisions overtime pay increase and an increase of peer use of sick leave due to burned, over work team members;thus, affecting overall productivity in the work place. Why not credit the sick leave and avoid going through all these and many more work related issues that at the long run cost more to the government? That's why CSR retirees got their sick leave credited in the first place; to avoid all these expensive problems. Why not do the same for FERS retirees?
sick leave
Mialhandler USPS Wed Jun 24, 2009 7:08 AM
Under this plan my retirement check would go up 2 to 5 dollars a week, WOW! I'm 60 now and the economic conditions of this country are going to keep me working til I'm 66. So On FERS I can collect my reduced SS while working and it will be recalculated to full amonut at 66. I have 1 year worht of sick time and at my age all kinds of things break down. So, thank you government, you just screwed yourselves again. Not that you relly care, its just my parents did'nt raise an idiot.
Re: sick leave
Grammar Czar Spellcheck Fri Jul 24, 2009 8:22 AM
"...my parents did'nt raise an idiot."
No, but I'm guessing they didn't spend alot of time teaching you how to spell or use contractions though.
:)
FERS accumlated sick leave
Assistant Chief National Zoo Park Police Fri Jul 17, 2009 3:05 PM
I really really thank you for your article
Sick Leave is a benefit and a securtiy blanket
Safety & Health Complaince Officer OSHA Fri Jul 24, 2009 9:10 AM
I have another 15 years to retire and I've always seen the light at the end of the tunnel. Sick Leave (S/L)is a benefit that you won't get in the Private Sector. If you get sick, it's there. If your child or children get sick, you don't have to worry about losing your job because your boss wants you at work. If you work in the private sector, you get maybe 7 days, then if you don't use it, Gone!! Just read your emails when another Federal employee is seeking help by asking for Leave Donations. Do you think they are worrying about getting paid for their unused S/L? No because they have none. My point is simple, hold on to your S/L because it's a benefit that the Gov't provides to their employees. Here's a quick story that makes a lot of sense. You've paid car insurance for years, but if you don't get into an accident, you are ok with that. Have you ever asked the insurance company for your premiums to be refunded back to you. No! But you are ok with that. Yes! Why? For security!!!!
CSRS/FERS
DOD Program Analyst Fri Jul 24, 2009 9:12 AM
As a CSRS employee, I am very fortunate, being able to save S/L that was actually given to me and then use it as a retirement tool. For FERS employee's, unfortunatly you do not have this option. Although you do have the matching funds that "We" CSRS do not have. If both retirement systems were to offer options to choose between (A) Matching funds or (B) Being able to save your S/L and count it towards your retirement, which would you choose? My answer, (A) I would contribute the maximum and have my contributions matched. If your covered by FERS are you contributing the maximun? The grass may appear greener on the other side of the fence, but in the long run the matching funds would produce more green for your retirement wallet than your S/L will.
If my CSRS would allow me to "Have my cake and eat it too" It would be a perfect world.
S/L
Mgt. N/A Sat Aug 1, 2009 2:38 PM
Use your FERS sick leave whenever you want...you have earned it...its part of your benefit package...remember...your supervisor is not a "BOARD-CERTIFIED MEDICAL DOCTOR." You do not have to identify any illness to them...simply call in and say..."put me down for 8-hours sick leave." If questioned...have your union rep. in attendance.
FERS SICK LEAVE
MAIN. MECH. USFWS Sun Nov 8, 2009 9:20 AM
i am due to retire end of 2011
will have 15 yrs under fers 15 under csr
i really need this bill to pass
i am in good health
tsp savings is not looking good
we need all the help i can get
who do i contact to suport this bill
Re: FERS SICK LEAVE
editor fedsmith.com Sun Nov 8, 2009 11:25 AM
the bill has passed and been signed. Do a quick search on our site using our search engine and you will see a number of articles on it.
FERS sick leave
Dept of labor
Fri Jun 12, 2009 8:30 AM
It really irritates me to know that sick leave has been abused by many FTE's through out their career and especially near retirement. The government turns us into liars when we near this stage in our lives by trying to recoup some of these benifits. Additionally, it is proven that giving credit for un-used sick leave hours not only increased production but saves millions of dollars a year. Our elected officials should look into the mirror and ask them selves who put them in these positions and remove the one that are not there for the intrest of the taxpayers.
Re: FERS sick leave
FAA
Fri Jun 12, 2009 7:08 PM
Anybody who doesn't like their benefit package (CSRS or FERS), just quit and stop your whining.
Sick Leave Counted for FERS Retirement
DHHS
Fri Jun 12, 2009 8:35 AM
As a CSRS employee who was offered the choice to switch many years ago, I chose to stay in CSRS and give up the free government contribution if I had switched to FERS. If the bill had passed, employees who had that choice and switched to FERS would get the best of both worlds, while those like me would not. If the bill is re-considered, it should have a provision giving CSRS employees that subsidy retroactively, otherwise it does not deserve to pass.
Re: Sick Leave Counted for FERS Retirement
Fed
Fri Jun 12, 2009 9:20 AM
The sick leave benefit is minor. It adds 2% per year to your retirement benefits if you have saved up one year of sick leave. More for more leave, less for less leave. This is not comparable to the matching benefit in TSP.
FERS employees get 1%/yr times the number of years as their pension benefit. (1.1 if they retire at 62.) We get 1.5% for the first five years, 1.75% for the next 5 years and 2% thereafter. They get no cost of living until age 62; then cost of living -1% if inflation exceeds 3%. We get cost of livings as soon as we retire. They get a social security supplement until age 62, then reduced social security.
I believe FERS people are correct in their position. If nothing else, it would reduce the chances of the FERS flu.
They would gain a benefit, just like CSRS people, for not abusing sick leave.
Re: Sick Leave Counted for FERS Retirement
DOD
Fri Jun 12, 2009 9:23 AM
Re: Sick Leave Counted for FERS Retirement
DOI
Fri Jun 12, 2009 9:57 AM
Re: Sick Leave Counted for FERS Retirement
CBP
Fri Jun 12, 2009 10:20 AM
When given the opportunity to switch to FERS, my decision was not based on sick leave, but the entire CSRS retirement annuity package. Those employee's that leaped before they looked, have regretted their decision, because they realized that the government matching is strictly based on their contributions, and the automatic 1% is a joke when you compare it with the CSRS annuity.
FERS employees should be given the same consideration regarding their sick leave at retirement as CSRS employees, it's only fair.
It's not unfair.
Treasury
Fri Jun 12, 2009 8:41 AM
If you want to talk about unfair, let's discuss the fact that CSRS folks do not get a match of their TSP contributions. So, FERS folks, get over it.
Re: It's not unfair.
Socialist Reaction Agency
Fri Jun 12, 2009 9:04 AM
CSRS folks will soon be a thing of the past and irrelevant to the discussion, then FERS can have the attention of Congress all to themselves to get the inequitys resolved.
Re: It's not unfair.
DHHS
Mon Jun 15, 2009 8:04 AM
FERS Retirement
FAA
Fri Jun 12, 2009 8:41 AM
Great advice. If the scant difference in ones retirement check is the basis for retirement - they likely cannot afford to retire. I estimate for me that such a change in policy will result in an extra $1400/yr, or $116/mo - IF I have 2087 hrs of remaining sick leave which is unlikely. If I NEED that to retire I better keep working! I am thankful that I have been thus far in good health and have not needed to use sick leave for other than routine appts, mild illness, and family care. In 6 years I will depart and Uncle Sam can have what remains of my sick leave and I will take my HEALTH with me................not an issue for me.
FERS sick leave
Army
Fri Jun 12, 2009 8:41 AM
I was a CSRS who converted to FERS. I have over 700 hrs of sick leave, which is my insurance policy. I still have 4-5 years before retirement, so if it does pass great, if not, well I know I had the security of all those hours to use. Personnel have to remember that sick leave is allowed to be used for other purposes besides your own. Family leave, bereavment, etc.
FERS Sick Leave Changes
SSA
Fri Jun 12, 2009 8:42 AM
As one who can be impacted by legislation to use sick leave in the annuity computation, I must admit that your counsel and guidance were as straight forward and simple as any that I have read or seen. There is something to the acronyms - KISS and my friend you have kept it simple in helping this one civil servant to redirect the focus and for that I say, thanks.
FERS Sick Leave Changes
courts
Fri Jun 12, 2009 8:45 AM
with spouse still working under the FERS system does anyone know when the final product be resolved in a conference committee??
Sick Leave and FERS
IRS-TAS
Fri Jun 12, 2009 8:48 AM
I have been with the IRS since 1988 in the FERS retirement system. I now have accumulated over 1500 of sick leave and I can retire as early as August 2010. I may lose those 1500 hours if Congress does not pass the legislation, but I am not upset. You see my wife also works for the government (USDA) and had life threatening surgery that kept her out of work for nearly six months. If she had not had her SL (almost as much as me) we would have suffered financially. Our FERS SL like an insurance policy and if you need it, it is great to have it!
FERS sick leave
Farm Service Agency
Fri Jun 12, 2009 8:51 AM
Thank you for putting this topic in perspective. I am one of many in FERS, ready to retire whenever I plan to.
I have been waiting on the outcome of this legislation, but know it can be a long haul.
You have given very clear and helpful suggestions for me and I would think others like myself.
FERS Flu
USDOJ retired
Fri Jun 12, 2009 8:52 AM
What's being over looked regarding "FERS FLU" is management letting employees abuse their sick leave. I retired from the Justice Department after 20 years and had almost 1,000 hours of sick leave accumulated. I was FERS. I used my sick leave responsibly and when appropriate and frequently. What we have is a generation of federal employees who don't know how good they have it compared to the rest of the US population.
Unused Sick Leave for FERS
DOT/FAA
Fri Jun 12, 2009 8:58 AM
Why not donate your sick leave before retiring to someone in your agency that is on the leave donation program? Your sick leave will provide great benefit to a person/family in great need.
Re: Unused Sick Leave for FERS
Fed
Fri Jun 12, 2009 9:24 AM
Re: Unused Sick Leave for FERS
CBP
Fri Jun 12, 2009 10:46 AM
Re: Unused Sick Leave for FERS
Army
Fri Jun 12, 2009 11:36 AM
A change that would allow people to donate sick leave to the leave donation pool for their organization or their area might be a good change IF sick leave can't be used toward retirement. I think it would be a nice alternative.
Re: Unused Sick Leave for FERS
DOD
Tue Jun 16, 2009 10:10 AM
True Story
Social Security Admin
Fri Jun 12, 2009 8:59 AM
My friend and colleague with 10 months accrued sick leave and 30 years of service became ill and had to be hospitalized. Upon testing, he had stage 3 colon cancer. His sick leave allowed him to get paid for 10 months, added to his service and then when it was gone, he retired. You never know what life brings. The year he was sick he also had tremendous out of pocket expenses since some doctors were not in network and even those in network, the co-pays mounted up. His personal savings saw him through. Saving, whether leave or money, is where people should put their efforts.
Penny Wise and Pound Foolish
Dept of Labor
Fri Jun 12, 2009 8:59 AM
Not allowing FERS employees to use Sick Leave towards their service accrual is a real example of being penny wise and pound foolish. There is a real reason that CSRS employees are allowed to use their Sick Leave for this purpose. It was because before that they were using up all their Sick Leave at the end of their careers, as well. Now FERS employees will only be able to use their Sick Leave by using it up, getting paid for it, and also accruing the time toward their retirement, as well.
I am not saying that all FERS employees will be abusing their Sick Leave, but if you are close to retirement and you wake up with a bad headache, are you really going to feel like toughing it out, or are you going to call in sick? If you have a doctor's appointment that takes up 4 hours, are you going to go in for half a day? Think about it.
Re: Penny Wise and Pound Foolish
Customs and Border Protection
Fri Jun 12, 2009 10:01 AM
The Value of Sick Leave
U.S. Forest Service
Fri Jun 12, 2009 9:21 AM
I am in the FERS system, will be 62 this year, and I plan to retire in December. I had accured nearly 600 hours of sick leave when I became very ill with fibromyalgia nearly 3 years ago. Since then I have had to use most of my sick leave for doctors visits, treatments, and bed rest. I am now down to 14 hours of sick leave, but I am doing much better. Thank God I had saved all of that leave - you just never know!
Hanging on to hope
USDA
Fri Jun 12, 2009 9:27 AM
I personally will be happy when this "round" of Federal Whiners . . .
- the ones who want EVERYTHING they can get from Uncle Sam,
- the ones who are whining about they should get paid out the SL.
- The ones who have "headaches" so they can use up the last part of their SL before the retirement
. . have retired. Goodbye and enjoy your retirement. Just make the decision and do it instead of trying to take advantage of every possible thing. Your federal career was good to you and you made it what it is.
FERS SICK LEAVE
DoD, U.S. MARINE CORPS
Fri Jun 12, 2009 9:31 AM
For me, I never expected anything from the government except a job, while I will retire with nearly 2000 hours of sick leave, I can only thank God that I have had to use it only sparingly. If there is another perk, perhaps a cash payout for unused sick leave we all are entitled to a payout for annual.
FERS Sick Leave
USBR
Fri Jun 12, 2009 10:18 AM
What is the average hours of sick leave accumulated per year of service for CSRS and FERS employees? Do most of the requests for voluntary transfer of leave come from FERS employees? I know of CSRS employees that will take AL instead of SL to build up their SL hours. FERS employees that have used most of their sick leave at retirement are better off than a CSRS employee with a large bank of hours - they not only got paid for the SL hours used, it counted as time in service.
2 Cents Worth
US Forest Service
Fri Jun 12, 2009 12:38 PM
Many employees come into the office with the cold or flu who should take sick leave but are saving it (CSRS) because it adds to their retirement. If you have something that can make someone else sick please use your sick leave.
From the time I started approximately 27 years ago, I have been saving my sick leave, except for when I was sick as mentioned above. I have had a bad back since highschool and have known that some day I might be laid up for an extended time. That hasn't happened yet, but: 1) 5 yrs ago I lost my dad and sister in one year and 2) 2 yrs ago my 14 year old son was diagnosed with a serious illness and has been in and out of the hospital numerous times since.
Because of the Family Friendly leave act and because I have had a large bank of hours, I have been able to take off and handle these crisis without worrying about whether I would have a pay check or not.
Whether we get credit for SL is minor. Thank god for your health and that of your family.
What about FERS Refund Redeposit?
Dept of the Navy
Fri Jun 12, 2009 2:09 PM
H.R. 1256 had a Section 115 "Authority to Deposit Refunds Under FERS" (formerly known over many years as the "FERS Redeposit Act"). It appears that Sec 115 is also now missing from the final Senate version. Can anyone tell me whether I'm interpreting this correctly or not; i.e. is the Sec 115 issue DOA again? I have 9.5 years prior service credit that I dearly want to buy back (as any CSRS employee would be able to). Have my hopes been dashed again?
CSRS/FERS
IRS
Fri Jun 12, 2009 2:23 PM
I was responsible for training employees regarding FERS and their options prior to FERS implementation. In fact, I
would have earned a larger annuity had I converted from CSRS to FERS, so those who argue that CSRS always provides a larger pension are simply wrong. I did not convert because I had concerns about Congressional interference with promised benefits. Specifically, given Congress's "borrowing" from Social Security funds without repayment, I was concerned about the viability of Social Security when I reach retirement age. In addition, I thought the Thrift Savings Plan to which I conftribute withouit matching too tempting a plum for Congress to leave alone. Given that Congress has frozen the funds several times and despite its retroactive payment of interest, I still find it disconcerting that it has not left the fund alone and then asserted that no harm has been done. I made an infomed choice for security of my pension, rather than expectation of a financial gain
CSRS/FERS Continued
IRS
Fri Jun 12, 2009 2:37 PM
Although I dispute the categorization of employees as whiners, note that it comes from an executive whose compensation and benefits are superior to the average employees, and question how one can direct or lead subordinates whom one holds in such low regard, I think it incumbent on all Federal employees to exploit to their advantage the respective benefits of their plans which are now superior to many offered in the private sector. Most CSRS employees do not accumulate sufficient sick leave to derive any significant benefit in their pension and have willingly foregone matching for the security of a defined benefit pension. Most FERS employees will also not accrue enough unused sick leave to make a difference and, instead, should be maximizing their contributions to the Thrift Savings Plan
with the funds that would have been deducted for a defined benefit CSRS pension. Educating oneself about one's benefits is the best way to ensure a decent retirement.
CSRS/FERS
Navy
Fri Jun 12, 2009 2:40 PM
The CSRS and FERS programs were not meant to be identical, so why everyone continues to compare and chant, "I want what you have" is ridiculous.
use your sick leave
dod
Fri Jun 12, 2009 11:34 PM
I have put off knee surgery, and 2 other surgeries over the years, because my position was always one deep. within the next year I will use my 2000 hours sick leave. "Then retire".
sick leave
dod
Fri Jun 12, 2009 11:53 PM
responding to the engineer that suggests government employees should stop whinning!!!! I have sick leave because I have kept myself healthy, not everyone is fortunate. If the government can do corporate bail out at taxpayers expense,why not support the employee that has worked for less. please realize, that not everyone makes what an engineer makes and the few extra dollars a month does mean something to somepeople. Dont assume this benefit would not help some "American Citizen" . Also check out how much we pay Local Nationals in other countries when we close a base. double and even triple what and american is offered. So why is this such a big deal for our elected officials? Corporate Welfare, International welfare, Your own taxpayers!!!
Leave
USDA FSIS
Sat Jun 13, 2009 8:46 AM
I guess the Senate members really don't care about getting re-elected!! Now a person just as well use the leave so we won't lose it.
No comparison
FAA
Sun Jun 14, 2009 10:20 AM
I have no reason to compare to CSRS and ask for what they have.
Sick leave conversion should only be considered if it is a good thing for the Federal Goverment.
I think the data supports that the way it is is NOT good for the Gov. -- So sick leave conversion is a rather inexpensive way of keeping "sick leave flu" from occurring. Otherwise leave it as is and keep paying folks to take off at 100% pay and benefits towards the end of their career. That is the reality of what is happenng. Gov. will not solve it by starting to go hardline on sick leave use so what other choices do they have to solve this issue?
Just turn your sick leave into annual
FAA
Sun Jun 14, 2009 10:24 PM
You may not be able to get back all of your sick leave this way but a pretty good portion of it at full dollar value. Just make sure that you bid up every available hour that you can when you bid your annual leave and turn some of that back into sick leave when you come back off vacation. They have already staffed for you being absent so your co-workers are not getting hammered by you not being there and management its not costing management a penny of overtime. You do this enough to make sure that when you retire you get the full 240 hours annual leave on the books as a cash payout and whatever else you were not able to use the government gets to keep .
Sick Time
Federal Employee
Mon Jun 15, 2009 8:04 AM
Everybody know that FERS employees WILL use there Sick Time just before retiring anyway.
Thank You
a FERS Employee
FERS Sick Leave
DOD
Tue Jun 16, 2009 8:43 AM
Per your statement above, the CRS employees are receiving the benefit of unused sick leave toward their retirement without any deduction in their pay, all individuals that work for the government should be treated the same. When I started in government service prior (2 years) before FERS was enacted, I wasn't allowed to go on the CRS system but was kept in limbo until the new system started and was informed how much better it was than the CRS system. What a joke!
Sick leave
DVA
Mon Jun 22, 2009 6:03 AM
Is you are retireing under FERS and have a lot of sick leave remaining, consider donating it to fellow employee who are ill and need it.
It feels good to know that someone else will benefit from your saved sick leave, even if you, personally, cannot.
Re: Sick leave
USAF
Tue Jul 7, 2009 9:28 AM
I strongly feel the same as you.
I'd love to be able to donate my unused sick leave hours I will have accrued by the time I retire to those who need additional sick leave hours.
However, no SICK LEAVE BANK has been discussed to be set up like the ANNAUL LEAVE BANK. This idea needs to be brought up but it won't be, I suspect because there is the Annual Leave Donation Program.
Robbie Sheehy
Re: Sick leave
post office
Wed Jul 29, 2009 4:24 PM
FERS Sick Leave Senate Bill Dropped
US Postal Inspection Service
Mon Jun 22, 2009 1:42 PM
The Government should do whatever it needs to do to reduce government costs, and rightfully so. However, to disallow FERS retirement system credit for unused sick leave does what healthy CSR retirees did for many decades: they systematically took sick leave during their last year of work. This in turn affected work productivity, group morale, and increase workload to unhappy peers. Often you see divisions overtime pay increase and an increase of peer use of sick leave due to burned, over work team members;thus, affecting overall productivity in the work place. Why not credit the sick leave and avoid going through all these and many more work related issues that at the long run cost more to the government? That's why CSR retirees got their sick leave credited in the first place; to avoid all these expensive problems. Why not do the same for FERS retirees?
sick leave
USPS
Wed Jun 24, 2009 7:08 AM
Under this plan my retirement check would go up 2 to 5 dollars a week, WOW! I'm 60 now and the economic conditions of this country are going to keep me working til I'm 66. So On FERS I can collect my reduced SS while working and it will be recalculated to full amonut at 66. I have 1 year worht of sick time and at my age all kinds of things break down. So, thank you government, you just screwed yourselves again. Not that you relly care, its just my parents did'nt raise an idiot.
Re: sick leave
Spellcheck
Fri Jul 24, 2009 8:22 AM
No, but I'm guessing they didn't spend alot of time teaching you how to spell or use contractions though.
:)
FERS accumlated sick leave
National Zoo Park Police
Fri Jul 17, 2009 3:05 PM
I really really thank you for your article
Sick Leave is a benefit and a securtiy blanket
OSHA
Fri Jul 24, 2009 9:10 AM
I have another 15 years to retire and I've always seen the light at the end of the tunnel. Sick Leave (S/L)is a benefit that you won't get in the Private Sector. If you get sick, it's there. If your child or children get sick, you don't have to worry about losing your job because your boss wants you at work. If you work in the private sector, you get maybe 7 days, then if you don't use it, Gone!! Just read your emails when another Federal employee is seeking help by asking for Leave Donations. Do you think they are worrying about getting paid for their unused S/L? No because they have none. My point is simple, hold on to your S/L because it's a benefit that the Gov't provides to their employees. Here's a quick story that makes a lot of sense. You've paid car insurance for years, but if you don't get into an accident, you are ok with that. Have you ever asked the insurance company for your premiums to be refunded back to you. No! But you are ok with that. Yes! Why? For security!!!!
CSRS/FERS
Program Analyst
Fri Jul 24, 2009 9:12 AM
As a CSRS employee, I am very fortunate, being able to save S/L that was actually given to me and then use it as a retirement tool. For FERS employee's, unfortunatly you do not have this option. Although you do have the matching funds that "We" CSRS do not have. If both retirement systems were to offer options to choose between (A) Matching funds or (B) Being able to save your S/L and count it towards your retirement, which would you choose? My answer, (A) I would contribute the maximum and have my contributions matched. If your covered by FERS are you contributing the maximun? The grass may appear greener on the other side of the fence, but in the long run the matching funds would produce more green for your retirement wallet than your S/L will.
If my CSRS would allow me to "Have my cake and eat it too" It would be a perfect world.
S/L
N/A
Sat Aug 1, 2009 2:38 PM
Use your FERS sick leave whenever you want...you have earned it...its part of your benefit package...remember...your supervisor is not a "BOARD-CERTIFIED MEDICAL DOCTOR." You do not have to identify any illness to them...simply call in and say..."put me down for 8-hours sick leave." If questioned...have your union rep. in attendance.
FERS SICK LEAVE
USFWS
Sun Nov 8, 2009 9:20 AM
i am due to retire end of 2011
will have 15 yrs under fers 15 under csr
i really need this bill to pass
i am in good health
tsp savings is not looking good
we need all the help i can get
who do i contact to suport this bill
Re: FERS SICK LEAVE
fedsmith.com
Sun Nov 8, 2009 11:25 AM