Choose from the subcategories below to review the Frequently Asked Questions. Click on a question to expose the answer below.
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Choose from the subcategories below to review the Frequently Asked Questions. Click on a question to expose the answer below.
To return to the main FAQ page, just CLICK HERE.
An employee must perform at least 1 full calendar year under FERS, AND retire on an immediate, non-disability pension. NOTE: Deferred retirees and those retiring under MRA+10 rules are not eligible to receive this benefit.
No. This benefit is only payable up to age 62. Any employees retiring after the age of 62 are not eligible to receive this benefit.
There is no need to apply for this benefit. It is paid automatically by OPM to those who qualify.
No. Employees retiring under a disability retirement are not eligible for the Special Retirement Supplement.
Yes. Just know that employees retiring under an Early Out are not eligible to receive this benefit until they reach their MRA (age 55-57).
No. Employees retiring under MRA+10 rules are NOT eligible for this benefit.
Technically, yes. The Special Retirement Supplement is payable immediately, but you will not actually receive this benefit until OPM has finalized your retirement claim (which typically takes several months).
No. Although it is payable to you during this time, you will receive a lump sum payment for the payments OPM missed while they were processing your retirement claim.
Perhaps. Depending on how much you make, you may be subject to the Earnings Test. It applies if both of these are true:
Their Special Retirement Supplement benefit will be reduced by $1 for every $2 of earnings over the allowable limit of $17,040/year (for 2018).
NOTE: “Wages” do not include income from a pension, TSP, other investments, etc.
You will receive a survey similar to this one each year from OPM that requests you to report your earned income for the prior year. If you make too much, the following year's benefit will be affected.
No. The Special Retirement Supplement benefit affects Social Security in absolutely no way.
You will claim the income in the year in which you receive it.
The income from the Special Retirement Supplement is subject to the same rules as your pension. If your state taxes your pension, it will tax the Special Retirement Supplement.
The Special Retirement Supplement is taxes as ordinary income (just like your CSRS or FERS pension).
No. There are no adjustments made the the Special Retirement Supplement benefit. Once it is calculated, the benefit amount stays the same until it stops at age 62.
No. No employees (regardless of type) receive cost of living adjustments to their Special Retirement Supplement.
No. You retain the same choices as any other person entitled to Social Security as far as when you choose to begin drawing benefits. However, you should note that the Special Retirement Supplement will stop at age 62 when you are eligible for Social Security (even if you choose not to draw Social Security benefits at that time.
No. Although the Special Retirement Supplement shares many of the same characteristics of Social Security, they are two completely separate programs.