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REDUCTION IN FORCE (RIF) - GENERAL INQUIRIES
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- What is RIF avoidance and how does
it differ from a RIF?
Reduction in Force (RIF) avoidance and RIF are
components of the organization change process
(i.e., reorganizations, restructuring, and
downsizing). RIF Avoidance is a period of time
that begins after the change is approved and
the manager meets/notifies the employees of
the change. During the RIF avoidance period,
management helps employees identify vacant
authorized positions for which the affected
employees can apply.
- When are RIFs necessary?
RIF procedures are required when there is an
organization or staffing change AND at least
one employee will be demoted or separated.
- What is the RIF timeline?
The RIF timeline shows the activity that
occurs during RIF avoidance through the end of
the RIF period. It includes nine (9) major
components (including Employee Notification,
General and Specific RIF Notice, RIF Effective
Date) and three (3) primary phases (RIF
Avoidance Period, Specific RIF Notice Period,
and Reinstatement List Period). The entire
timeline with applicable dates is available on
the
Organization Change Management website.
- Does a RIF include all career
employees?
RIFs are limited to competitive areas where
the organization/staffing change meets the
criteria for invoking RIF procedures. Career
employees in a competitive area undergoing
organizational change may be subject to RIF.
The most current listing of competitive areas
is found in the Postal Bulletin, which is
referenced on the
Organization Change Management website.
- What is a competitive area?
A competitive area is an organizational unit
under separate management authority within
which career employees compete during a RIF
- How will I know if my competitive
area will conduct a RIF?
After the proposed
organization/staffing change is approved, your
manager will provide you with the details of
the change. This information may include:
- Identifying the elimination of work,
- identifying the positions that are
likely to be affected,
- Providing the new organization and
staffing information,
- Indicating whether RIF procedures are
necessary, and
- Identifying important milestones and
dates.
- How will I be notified if I am
affected by the RIF?
Any employee whose position is potentially
impacted is notified by his or her Manager.
- As a RIF impacted employee, what
opportunities do I have to find another Postal
Service position?
You have five opportunities to find another
Postal Service position:
- Phase I vacancy postings within your
competitive area only. Impacted and
non-impacted employees may apply for
promotions, same grade positions, or lower
level positions within their competitive
area. Specific dates when job positions
will be available during Phase I will be
posted on the
Organization Change Management
website.
- Phase II vacancies throughout the area
undergoing RIF avoidance, not just the
competitive area. Impacted and
non-impacted employees may apply for
positions in the same manner as Phase I.
The specific dates for Phase II will be
communicated on the
Organization Change Management
website.
- After Voluntary Early Retirement
(VER). VER eligible employees who accept
the VER increase the number of potential
landing spots for impacted, non-VER
eligible employees.
- After the beginning of year
retirements.
- Postings of vacancies, which may occur
under the regular posting process.
- Will I be notified if I am no
longer a potentially impacted employee? When
and how will I be notified?
No specific notification is necessary. Your
notification will be a copy of the PS Form 50,
which processes your assignment to another
position.
- What is the overall employment
strategy at the USPS; will there be RIFs
within other competitive areas?
We are moving forward with a focused approach
to organizational change within all functions.
Not all competitive areas have potentially
impacted employees.
- Who can I call or where can I go
for help with questions and to find more
information on the RIF process?
The most updated information on the current
Reduction in Force (RIF) process is available
on the
Organization Change Management website.
Headquarters and Headquarters-Field Related
employees may also contact the HR liaison
within their competitive area for assistance
with questions and concerns. Area and District
(non-Headquarters) employees may contact their
Local Services representatives for additional
information.
PREFERENCE ELIGIBLE
- What is Veterans' preference, and
is it different in a RIF avoidance than in a
RIF?
Veterans have advantages over non-veterans in
a RIF. By law, veterans who are disabled or
who served on active duty in the Armed Forces
during certain specified time periods or in
military campaigns are entitled to preference
over others in hiring from competitive lists
of eligible employees and also in retention
during reductions in force.
Preference is given to veterans who are
preference eligible during the RIF, but there
is no preference during RIF avoidance.
The preference eligible is on equal footing
with all non preference eligibles during the
RIF avoidance period. If the preference
eligible is not selected for an authorized
position during the various vacancy posting
phases, he or she will be processed through
the RIF procedures. It is during that process
that the preference will be applied.
- It is my understanding that
"Veterans' preference" does not apply during a
RIF avoidance period to RIF-impacted job
opportunities that are currently being posted.
Is this correct?
That is correct. Preference is given to
veterans who are preference eligible during a
RIF, but there is no preference when applying
for vacancies in non-RIF or RIF-avoidance
circumstances.
- Are veterans offered any different
benefits/placement if they are unable to find
a job during the RIF period?
Preference eligible employees receive
preference during the RIF process for jobs
within a competitive area that is undergoing
an organizational change. However, in
competitive areas that are being eliminated,
all jobs are abolished and any employee
(preference eligible and non-preference
eligible) who has not successfully found
another position within the Postal Service by
the RIF effective date will be separated.
- When the competitive area is
closing, do preference eligible employees
receive indefinite saved grade and saved
salary?
Preference eligible employees who request a
voluntary reassignment to a lower level during
the RIF avoidance phase receive two years of
saved grade followed by indefinite saved
salary. See
Salary Memo dated April 2, 2004 from Mr.
Potter for more details.
- Can management involuntarily
direct preference eligibles to lower level
positions?
There are four ways in which employees can be
assigned to lower level positions:
- By RIF procedures
- Voluntary request by the employee
- For cause
- Reclassification of a position
- May I appeal a RIF; what are my
rights?
Preference eligible veterans who receive a
Specific RIF Notice, will be provided the
Merit System Protection Board (MSPB) appeal
information necessary to appeal a RIF
assignment or RIF separation.
- When does the clock begin running
for preference eligibles for the 30 day MSPB
appeals?
The 30 calendar-day period for filing an
appeal with the Merit Systems Protection Board
(MSPB) commences on the effective day of the
RIF. Information regarding the appeals process
is provided with the Specific RIF Notice
issued 60 days prior to the RIF effective
date.
- If I am a preference eligible
employee and I do not apply for any position
and a RIF occurs, will I have bump and retreat
rights to a position within three grades given
to a non-preference eligible?
The RIF regulations relative to the bump and
retreat rights do not apply when a competitive
area is being eliminated. All positions are
abolished and any employee (preference
eligible and non-preference eligible) who has
not been successfully placed in a position
elsewhere in the Postal Service will be
separated on the RIF effective date.
Preference eligibles in competitive areas
undergoing organization change will be
processed during the RIF process, and if they
are determined to be qualified for positions
occupied by non preference eligibles or
preference eligibles with a lesser retention
standing, bumping rights will be applied.
- I am a reservist. If I am
activated for 30 days in a year during a RIF,
how will I be able to apply for current
postings when on active duty? Upon my return,
I know the Postal Service must place me in a
position similar to the one I vacated. Like my
colleagues, I want to be able to select the
type of work and work location, if possible.
Can you provide me with some information or
refer me to a source where this info can be
found?
Active duty employees can apply for vacancies
from a home or a non-postal computer by
accessing http://ecareer.usps.gov/ and
then clicking on eCareer from the
LiteBlue home page if available during an
organization change or submit letters and an
eCareer Profile to selecting
officials when applying for laterals or
downgrades. Local service HR will provide
information in order to keep active duty
employees informed as organizational changes
are implemented.
- To what extent does Veterans'
preference apply during or after a competitive
area is abolished on the RIF effective date?
As a veteran, do I receive preference when
seeking a USPS job in another competitive
area?
Where a competitive area is abolished, all
employees who remain within the competitive
area on the effective date of the RIF will be
separated. Since the competitive area is
closing, there are no opportunities for
assignment within that competitive area.
Further, preference eligibles and non
preference eligibles are on equal footing when
applying for positions within other
competitive areas.
- As a disabled veteran, will I
retain my salary and grade indefinitely if I
go to another agency?
No. It is up to you and the receiving agency
to negotiate the salary at that agency. The
salary retention policies are afforded by the
Postal Service only while employed by the
Postal Service. When employment with the
Postal Service is severed for one workday or
more, salary retention terminates.
JOBS
- Is it possible to see a working
list of expected job openings offered during
the Phase I posting?
Positions available during Phase I will be
posted on eCareer based on
established timeline for specific
organizational change. All information will be
posted on the
Organization Change Management website.
- How soon will the Phase I job
postings be filled?
Selections will be made in accordance with
established timeline of the specific
organizational change.
- What are Limited Areas of
Consideration?
LAC's are limited postings for employees where
an organizational change is occurring.
Vacancies will be open and posted for Limited
Area of Consideration (LAC) within your
competitive area according to the established
timeline for that specific organizational
change. All information will be posted on the
Organization Change Management website.
Postings will include the appropriate LAC
language: "All impacted and non-impacted,
qualified EAS career Postal employees who
occupy positions in are eligible to apply for
this position."
- If I apply for a position in Phase
I and I receive it, can I apply for a position
in Phase II?
Yes.
- Can I apply using a postal
computer at this time?
Yes. You can search and apply for vacancies
on-line in eCareer using your postal
computer by logging into Blue, clicking on the
My Life tab, and then under Jobs clicking on
eCareer. From your home computer or a
non-postal computer you can search and apply
for vacancies by accessing http://ecareer.usps.gov/ and
then clicking on eCareer from the
LiteBlue home page. Applying for a job in
eCareer is a four-step process:
- Build your Candidate Profile (if you
have not already done so),
- Search for a job vacancy,
- Apply for the job, and
- Submit your application (before
the closing date of the posting).
- Is it necessary to address the job
requirement portion of a vacancy announcement
in eCareer, or may I instead request
to be considered for the position
noncompetitively?
If the vacancy would be a promotion, then you
need to apply via eCareer, address
all of the requirements, and compete with
other employees. However, for vacancies at the
same or lower level, employees may request
noncompetitive consideration, and this type of
request is outside of eCareer. For
lateral or lower level noncompetitive
consideration, employees instead must submit a
written request to the selecting official
indicating their desire to be considered for
the position noncompetitively. The written
request can be either via email or hardcopy
memo. Employees are not
to submit noncompetitive requests through
eCareer. Although not required, it is to
the applicant's advantage when submitting a
written request to the selecting official, to
attach a copy of their eCareer
Candidate Profile, including the Summary of
Accomplishments section addressing the job
requirements on the posting.
You can search and apply for vacancies on-line
in eCareer using your postal computer
by logging into Blue, clicking on the My Life
tab, and then under Jobs clicking on
eCareer. From your home computer or a
non-postal computer you can search and apply
for vacancies by accessing http:/ecareer.usps.gov
and then clicking on eCareer from the
LiteBlue home page.
- Do I have to use eCareer
and address KSAs when applying for a position
that has the same occupation code and title?
Same occupation codes are the same as a
lateral reassignment; therefore, see above
answer.
- Regarding job postings, am I
limited to applying for a new job that is
lateral and is no more than three grades
below?
During the RIF avoidance period, affected
employees may apply for (and compete for) any
posted vacancy via eCareer and may
also voluntarily request consideration for
vacant positions at the same grade level or
lower level, for which they believe they meet
the qualifications. Voluntary requests for
downgrades are not limited to positions that
are three grades below that of the RIF
impacted employee.
You can search and apply for vacancies on-line
in eCareer using your postal computer
by logging into Blue, clicking on the My Life
tab, and then under Jobs clicking on
eCareer. From your home computer or a
non-postal computer you can search and apply
for vacancies by accessing http://ecareer.usps.gov/
and then clicking on eCareer from the
LiteBlue home page.
- What do I do if a vacancy requires
testing?
Testing sessions will be offered for any
vacancy that requires testing. Headquarters
and Headquarters-Field Related employees may
contact the HR liaison within their
competitive area for assistance if they are
interested, and the HR liaison will work with
Corporate Personnel Management to schedule
those employees for a test. Area and District
(non-Headquarters) employees may contact their
Local Services representatives for assistance.
- What is the selection
process/criteria used to determine the
best-qualified applicant?
The selecting official evaluates the
knowledge, skills, and abilities of the
candidates and follows existing guidelines to
determine the best-qualified applicant. A
candidate is responsible for addressing the
KSAs specific to the position, which may
include work experience, knowledge gained
through training, education or volunteer work.
Details about completing a Candidate Profile
and applying for a job are on the eCareer
website, which can be accessed using your
postal computer by logging into Blue, clicking
on the My Life tab, and then under Jobs
clicking on eCareer. From your home
computer or a non-postal computer you can
access the eCareer website by
accessing http://ecareer.usps.gov/
and then clicking on eCareer from the
LiteBlue home page.
- If I accept a lower level
position, can I, at a later date, apply for a
position that opened up in my competitive area
due to a retirement?
Yes.
- Are lateral noncompetitive
reassignment positions available during Phase
I and II?
Yes. If interested in requesting consideration
for a lateral reassignment or a change to a
lower level position, employees must submit a
written request to the selecting official
indicating their desire to be considered for
the position noncompetitively. The written
request can be either via email or hardcopy
memo. Employees are not
to submit noncompetitive requests through
eCareer. Although not required, it is to
the applicants' advantage when submitting a
written request to the selecting official, to
attach a copy of their eCareer
Candidate Profile, including the Summary of
Accomplishments section addressing the job
requirements stated on the posting.
- What will the posting schedule be
after Phase I and II?
It will revert to the regular posting
schedule. Vacant positions may be posted in
the eCareer system every Tuesday
where they remain for a period of fifteen
days. The key is to check eCareer
often and maintain an updated profile in the
system.
You can search and apply for vacancies on-line
in eCareer using your postal computer
by logging into Blue, clicking on the My Life
tab, and then under Jobs clicking on
eCareer. From your home computer or a
non-postal computer you can search and apply
for vacancies by accessing http://ecareer.usps.gov/
and then clicking on eCareer from the
LiteBlue home page.
- Is there a third round of postings
planned, and if selected, can I receive saved
grade for two years and indefinite salary
protection?
Residual postings of vacancies may occur under
the regular posting process. Salary protection
is available to impacted employees throughout
the RIF avoidance period and during the
Specific RIF Notice period.
- Once I have a RIF letter, am I
eligible as a postal employee, to apply for
job opportunities in other federal agencies
under ICTAP (Interagency Career Transition
Assistance Plan)? The job announcements
sometimes contain the following statement:
"Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan
(ICTAP) eligibles: Current or former employees
displaced from other agencies. Individuals
seeking ICTAP eligibility must submit a copy
of their Reduction in Force (RIF) separation
notice (Notification Letter or SF50) and a
copy of their most recent performance rating."
Postal Service employees are excluded from
using the ICTAP program. This is explained in
a booklet on the OPM web site at
http://blue.usps.gov/cgi-bin/good_bye.cgi?url=http://www.opm.gov/ctap/index.asp.
However, Human Resources strongly recommends
submitting a cover memo to any application
submitted for the federal government stating
that you have been verbally informed that your
job has been eliminated and providing the RIF
effective date.
- How long will I have federal
status after resigning from the Postal Service
or after I have separated during a RIF from
federal employment? Does that mean that within
that time period, I as a former federal
employee am eligible to apply to any agency
that requests “status candidates”?
In accordance with section 1006 of title 39,
United States Code Postal Service employees
serve under excepted appointments. They do not
acquire competitive status or noncompetitive
reinstatement eligibility for competitive
service jobs in other agencies. However, by
law, an agency may give a noncompetitive
appointment (transfer) to an employee of the
Postal Service who meets all the following
conditions:
- The employee's Postal Service
appointment has no time limit; and
- Immediately before appointment in the
competitive service, the employee served
in the Postal Career Service for at least
30 months on a substantially full-time
basis or for at least 520 hours if
employed less than full-time; and
- The employee meets the qualification
standard for the position; and
- The employee will be appointed to the
competitive service with no beak in
service from Postal Service employment
BENEFITS
- If I am separated from the Postal
Service due to a RIF, will I receive any
severance pay or benefits for a specific
period of time after separation?
The Postal Service's severance pay provisions
are located at Part 435 of the “Employee and
Labor Relations Manual.” It can be found at
http://blue.usps.gov/cgi-bin/good_bye.cgi?url=http://www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/manuals/elm/html/elmc4_016.htm.
- What relocation benefits are
available during RIF avoidance? If I request a
downgrade to a position outside my commuting
distance, will I get applicable relocation
benefits?
Paid relocation benefits are based on whether
or not the employee is considered under the
competitive or noncompetitive process.
Example 1 - Employee
volunteers for equal or lower grade and is
selected and considered under the competitive
process (along with the competitive
applications), all relocation benefits as
outlined in the F-15 Travel/Relocation
handbook are paid by the Postal Service.
Example 2 - Employee
volunteers for equal or lower grade and is
considered under the noncompetitive process
(no competitive applications considered),
relocation benefits may be paid based on
management's discretion.
Relocation benefits policy is covered in
"Handbook F-15 - Travel and Relocation."
It can be found at
http://blue.usps.gov/cgi-bin/good_bye.cgi?url=http://blue.usps.gov/cpim/ftp/hand/f15/html/welcome.htm.
- If I accept a position outside of
my competitive area, will I receive any
relocation benefits?
Relocation benefits policy, including
eligibility requirements, is covered in
"Handbook F-15 - Travel and Relocation."
It can be found at
http://blue.usps.gov/cpim/ftp/hand/f15/html/welcome.htm."
- Is relocation available for lower
level positions?
Relocation benefits policy, including
eligibility requirements, is covered in
"Handbook F-15 - Travel and Relocation."
It can be found at
http://blue.usps.gov/cpim/ftp/hand/f15/html/welcome.htm.
- I understand a postal spouse of a
RIF-impacted employee will be given
consideration under the "normal" transfer
process. Will this include consideration for
jobs that have been frozen for RIF-impacted
employees? (Example: non-impacted spouse is
EAS-20 Postmaster. Will she be considered for
frozen jobs level 18+?)
The trailing spouse will be considered for
jobs after it has been determined that the job
cannot be filled by a RIF-impacted employee.
The trailing spouse will not receive priority
consideration over the RIF-impacted employee.
- What happens to my outstanding TSP
loan if I am affected by the RIF?
Here are three possible scenarios, depending
on how the RIF affects you: Employee
remains with the Postal Service in a lower
grade level. No change would occur with
the amount of the TSP loan payments or the
length of the loan unless the employee needs
to reduce the payments. He or she could then
request a one-time re-amortization of the
loan. However, the rules for minimum and
maximum repayment periods still apply.
Employee transfers to another Federal
agency. No change would occur with the
amount of the TSP loan payments or the length
of the loan. The employee must inform his or
her new personnel office of the TSP loan and
ask the office to continue the TSP loan
payments. If the new payroll office does not
begin allotments promptly, loan payments will
be missed with possible significant adverse
tax consequences to the employee.
Employee separates from the Postal
Service. The terms of the TSP loan
include a requirement that the employee repay
the loan in full, including interest, when he
or she leaves Federal service. After the
employee leaves the Postal Service, he or she
will be sent a notice with instructions to
repay the loan.
Thrift Saving Program information is available
from the
TSP website.
Thrift Saving Program information is available
from the TSP website at
http://blue.usps.gov/cgi-bin/good_bye.cgi?url=http://www.tsp.gov.
- If I am a RIF-impacted employee
and I had signed up for FSA contributions, but
I transfer to another Federal Agency, will the
withholdings continue, and will I be able to
continue filing claims?
The Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) program
is specific to the Postal Service. You cannot
continue it at another Federal agency. For
more information refer to the following link http://blue.usps.gov/cpim/ftp/pubs/pub164.pdf Publication
164, Compensation, Relocation Benefits, and
Reinstatement Policies for Career Employees in
Transition: Q's and A's, then see Question and
Answer 39.
SALARY
- What happens if I have salary
protection from a previous
organization/staffing change?
Salary protection from a previous
organization/staffing change is governed by
Mr. Potter's letter dated April 2, 2004. See Salary
Memo dated April 2, 2004 from Mr. Potter
for more details.
- I am a nonbargaining unit employee
at the top of my grade. If I voluntarily
request a reassignment to a lower level
position in RIF avoidance, and I get two years
of salary protection, am I still eligible to
receive a lump sum merit payment?
Assuming your salary at the end of the fiscal
year is above the maximum salary range for
your saved grade level, you would be eligible
for to receive a lump sum PFP merit. At the
end of two years, indefinite salary protection
applies, and if your salary is above the
maximum of the lower level position, you will
receive a lump sum PFP merit.
- If a nonbargaining unit employee
voluntarily accepts a lower level position
with the two-year salary protection, will the
salary go to the lower level if it is not at
the maximum of that lower level position? How
is the salary calculated after two years?
Employees who voluntarily accept a lower level
position and have a salary that is within the
lower level salary range, are slotted into the
salary range. Saved grade and salary
protection are not applicable, because the
salary fits the lower level salary range.
RETIREMENT & SEPARATION
- If I get separated in a RIF, can I
get called back?
Employees separated by RIF procedures can
request to be placed on the Reinstatement List
for two years. The Reinstatement List is valid
for vacancies for which they are qualified at
or below the grade level at the time of
separation within 50 miles of the competitive
area from which they were separated.
- Will early retirement be available
for all or some employees in competitive areas
conducting a RIF?
A Voluntary Early Retirement Authority
approved by the Office of Personnel Management
designated the employees covered by the
authority. The Postal Service has several
authorities that cover positions that may be
potentially impacted by organization changes
as well as other positions that are
non-impacted. Employees occupying non impacted
positions that accept a Voluntary Early
Retirement can potentially serve as placement
opportunities for impacted employees.
- Will there be any type of
incentives offered?
There are no plans to offer any incentives to
employees to take early retirement.
- If I do not find a job with the
Postal Service during the RIF period, can I
officially retire at age 50 (with 31 years of
service) and receive an immediate annuity, or
do I have to wait until age 62 to begin
retirement benefits?
If you receive a RIF separation and you are
not placed into a job by the RIF effective
date and you are in the Civil Service
Retirement System (CSRS) you may be eligible
to receive an immediate annuity under
discontinued service retirement (DSR) -
provided that you meet either of the following
minimum age and service requirements. You must
be:
- At least age 50 with at least 20 years
of creditable service, or
- Any age with at least 25 years of
creditable service as of the effective
date of your involuntary separation.
The 2% reduction for each year under 55 will
apply.
Employees under the Federal Employees
Retirement System (FERS ) must meet the same
minimum age and service requirements as listed
above.
Information on discontinued service retirement
annuity can be found on the U.S. Office of
Personnel Management (OPM) website at http://www.OPM.gov.
The DSR will provide an immediate annuity
effective the day after the RIF separation
date.
- I am a potentially impacted
employee who plans to retire before the RIF
effective date. Do I need to take any action?
If you retire before the RIF effective date,
you do not need to do anything during RIF
avoidance. It is recommended, however, that
you contact the HR Shared Service Center (HRSSC)
at least 60-90 days before you plan to retire
to begin the process of filling out the
necessary forms and setting up counseling to
go over your individual retirement situation.
This will ensure timely processing of your
retirement papers.
- I am eligible for Voluntary Early
Retirement (VER). If I submit my VER
application and decide to retire by the
irrevocable date, can I change that decision
once I learn that a new vacancy has been
posted?
The VER has a specific time and date when you
can withdraw your retirement application by
submitting a Request to Withdraw. After this
irrevocable date for VER, you can no longer
withdraw your application. There are no
exceptions. See the VER website for important
times/dates as well as other details at
http://blue.usps.gov/hr/edr/csfp/ocg/hrssc_vera.htm
- What happens to me if, as a
potentially impacted employee, I do not take
the Voluntary Early Retirement (VER) and I end
up being RIF impacted?
If you receive a RIF separation and you are
not placed into a job by the RIF effective
date and you are in the Civil Service
Retirement System (CSRS) you may be eligible
to receive an immediate annuity under
discontinued service retirement (DSR) -
provided that you meet either of the following
minimum age and service requirements. You must
be:
- At least age 50 with at least 20 years
of creditable service, or
- Any age with at least 25 years of
creditable service as of the effective
date of your involuntary separation.
The 2% reduction for each year under 55 will
apply.
Employees under the Federal Employees
Retirement System (FERS ) must meet the same
minimum age and service requirements as listed
above.
Information on discontinued service retirement
annuity can be found on the U.S. Office of
Personnel Management (OPM)website at
http://blue.usps.gov/cgi-bin/good_bye.cgi?url=http://www.opm.gov/.
The DSR will provide an immediate annuity
effective the day after the RIF separation
date
- Is there a deadline for optionally
eligible retirees to change their mind?
No, there is no deadline to change their mind.
Optional retirees can retire at any time of
their choosing.
- At age 53 and with 23 years of
service I would be eligible for VER. However,
if I choose to take my chances by not taking
VER, and then the RIF period ends without me
getting a job, would I be able to immediately
begin drawing my reduced (for age & service
years) annuity? Or would it be deferred until
I reach some age criteria?
Based on your years of service 23, and your
age 53, if you elect not to take the VER, and
you are not placed in a job prior to the RIF
effective date, you would be eligible for an
immediate annuity under the discontinued
service retirement process. You are not
required to wait until age 62.
- I work for an impacted unit and
have a VERA question. I meet the age
requirement and have 27 years of service. Is
there a 2% penalty for every year of service
under 30 years?
No. The 2% penalty referenced is applied to
reduce a person's early retirement annuity by
2% for each year that he or she is under the
age of 55 at the time of his or her
retirement. A person eligible for retirement
under the Voluntary Early Retirement Authority
and who retires at age 53, for example, would
have his or her retirement annuity reduced by
4%, regardless of his or her years of service.
The retirement annuity will be computed based
upon your 27 years of service minus the
percentage reduction for being under the age
of 55.
- Using the formula for severance
pay, I would be eligible for about 27 weeks of
severance pay. This is based on my current 18+
years of service. If I am involuntarily
separated, would these 27 weeks be included in
my service time for CSRS annuity calculations
when I am old enough to collect?
In addition to credit for specific allowable
periods of civilian and/or military service,
credit for retirement computation purposes is
given only for periods of time between an
employee's appointment and separation from the
Postal Service. Since severance pay is an
allowance for employees who are involuntarily
separated not for cause from the Postal
Service (in accordance with the provisions of
ELM 435), the period of time covered for
severance pay is NOT creditable for retirement
purposes.
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