What’s the fewest years needed to get vested in fed retirement system?

The following is a question submitted by a Federal Times readers about retirement and other issues facing the federal workforce. It is answered by Reg Jones, a charter member of the senior executive service and a Federal Times columnist since 1995.

Question: What’s the minimum years of service to be vested for a federal employee in regards to retirement pension and lifetime health insurance ?

Reg’s Response: To be vested in the retirement system, you need to have 5 years of full-time service or the equivalent number of months of part-time service. The same is true of Federal Employees Health Benefits coverage.

RELATED

Last caIl! Less than a week left to elect FEHB 2023 health benefits

As you’re making lists for Thanksgiving groceries and holiday gifts, don’t forget the shopping spree that ends Dec. 12.

By Molly Weisner

Got a question for the Federal Times expert?

Send inquiries to: fedexperts@federaltimes.com.

Reg Jones is the resident expert on retirement and the federal government at Federal Times. From 1979 until 1995, he served as an assistant director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management handling recruiting and examining, white and blue collar pay, retirement, insurance and other issues. Opinions expressed are his own.

In Other News

Internet subsidy used by millions of vets, troops set to expire in May

A federal program that helps troops and veterans pay for home internet access will run out of funding next month without congressional action.

Ask Reg: I’ve maxed out my GS pay. Do I still get annual pay raises?

A reader asks whether topping out at their current pay scale bars them from receiving federal pay raises and locality adjustments.

OPM director Ahuja to step down as government human capital chief

She is the longest serving OPM director in more than a decade.

Veterans sentenced for role in $65 million insurance fraud scheme

Two members of a scheme to bilk a military health care program out of more than $65 million received sentences in federal court.

Supreme Court rules in favor of veteran who sued over GI Bill limits

The Supreme Court ruled 7-2 in favor of a veteran who wanted to use both his Post-9/11 GI Bill and Montgomery GI Bill benefits.

Ask Reg: My cumulative retirement is marked ‘0.’ Where’d my service go?

If you transferred agencies and Block 19 on your retirement is null, here's what happened.

Is telework a ‘reasonable accommodation’ for pregnant federal workers?

The EEOC regulation also stipulates accommodations for workers seeking abortions or infertility treatments.

Austin speaks with Chinese counterpart in latest reopening of talks

The conversation is one of many American officials are having with their Chinese counterparts while trying to improve the relationship.

House to send Mayorkas impeachment articles to Senate, forcing a trial

Senators will be sworn in Wednesday as jurors, turning the chamber into the court of impeachment.

Bureau of Prisons to shut women’s prison where inmates faced sex abuse

The closure represents an extraordinary acknowledgement by BOP that efforts to improve the culture and environment at Dublin failed.

Load More