Confirmation of Special Supplement After 30 Years of Service

I’m retiring with 30 years of government service with the military and as a firefighter. Can you confirm my percentage of special supplement?

Q: Retiring in Oct 2015, at age 50, with 30 years government service: 23.5 years firefighter, and 6.5 years military (bought back). Would you please confirm my percentage of special supplement at the above point? For example, my scheduled social security is at $1500.00 at age 62.

I had calculated 30/40 and derived 75%, but others suggest it would only be 23.5 /40 ( the amount of just civil service years, and not military, although bought back.

A: In your situation your supplement would be 23/40 of your estimated age 62 Social Security benefit. In calculating the supplement, only full years of civilian service count. Your military service and the half year of civilian service would not count.

About the Author

John Grobe is the former President of Federal Career Experts, a firm that provides pre-retirement training and seminars to a wide variety of federal agencies.