CSRS Retirement Benefit for Individuals in a Covered Position Before October 1, 1987
You are probably aware that while you were employed in the District of Columbia government, you contributed to the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) through biweekly payroll deductions. You have the following options with respect to your retirement benefits:
Deferred Annuity
You may leave your money in the retirement fund and apply for a deferred annuity at age 62. The annuity is calculated under the general formula for CSRS as if you were actually retiring now. This means that in calculating this future retirement benefit, OPM will use you salary in today’s dollar value.
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If you die before you are eligible for an annuity, your retirement contributions, plus interest, are payable in a lump sum to your beneficiary.
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To update your designation of beneficiary, complete a SF-2808 and submit it to OPM at the address on the form.
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Forms can be obtained online from OPM. If you do not file a designation of beneficiary, your benefits will be paid in the normal order of precedence (spouse; children; parents; executor of estate; next of kin).
Refund of Retirement Deductions
If you are not interested in a deferred annuity, you may instead request a refund of the amount of money you have contributed to the retirement system. No interest is payable on this refund. Your receipt of the refund will void your right to a deferred annuity unless you are subsequently reemployed in the Federal government under CSRS. If you receive a refund and are subsequently reemployed in the Federal government you must repay the refund with interest in order to receive retirement credit for the amount of time on which the refund is based. Also, you may not be paid the refund if you will be reemployed in the District or Federal government within 31 days after your current employment ends.
- If you wish to request a refund, complete the Standard Form (SF) 2802, Application for Refund of Retirement Deductions.
- Forms can be obtained online from OPM.
- If you request a refund within 30 days of your separation, return the form to DCHR Benefits and Retirement Administration. After 30 days, forward the form to OPM at the address on the form.
Social Security/Medicare
District government employees first hired after March 31, 1986 in CSRS covered positions are subject to Medicare coverage and pay Medicare taxes. District government employees under the CSRS who separate from the District government (break-in-service) and are rehired in a CSRS covered position after March 31, 1986, are also subject to Medicare coverage and pay Medicare taxes. You earn Medicare credits in the same manner and at the same rates as individuals in private industry and, therefore, those credits will be added to any past or future credits to establish eligibility for Medicare benefits. If you qualify, you may begin collecting Medicare benefits at age 65. You should contact the Social Security Administration for further information via www.ssa.gov or 1-800-772-1213.
Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI)
If you are covered by the FEGLI, your life insurance coverage will continue for 31 calendar days after your employment ends. There is no cost for you for this coverage. During the 31-day period you may convert your coverage under Basic Life, Option A, Option B, and/or Option C, if participating, to an individual policy. In addition, if you do not convert Option C, your eligible spouse and/or eligible children may convert Option C to an individual policy. If you convert to any individual policy, you will pay the entire cost of the premium, that is, the government will not contribute to the cost of the premium as it does (for Basic Life) while you are employed.
If covered, you will be provided with a Notice of Conversion Privilege (SF-2819) for further information about converting to an individual policy. You will also be provided with an Agency Certification of Insurance Status (SF-2821). To convert to an individual policy, submit both forms to the Office of FEGLI at the address on the SF-2819.
Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHB)
If you are enrolled in the FEHB program, your health benefits coverage will continue for 31 days after the last day of the pay period in which you separate. If you are confined in a hospital on the 31st day, the benefits under your FEHB plan will continue for up to 60 more days of continuous confinement. This temporary 31-day extension of your health benefits coverage (and 60-day extension if necessary) is without cost to you. The coverage also applies to your family members if they are covered under your health benefits when your employment ends.
You may choose one of the following options for continuing your health coverage:
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Converting to an individual (non-group) health policy. In order to convert to an individual health benefits policy, you must submit SF-2810, Notice of Change in Health Benefits Enrollment (which will be provide to you), to your present health benefits carrier within 31 calendar days from the date your employment ends. Further information about converting is on SF-2810. Contact your health benefits carrier for further information concerning cost and benefits.
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Temporarily continuing your FEHB coverage (Temporary Continuation of Coverage, or TCC) for up to 18 months after your separation, if you meet the eligibility requirements under TCC. You may select any plan in the FEHB program in which to continue your coverage if you are eligible to enroll in the plan. To continue your coverage, you must pay the full amount of the premium (both the employee and Government shares) plus a 2 percent administrative charge. If you choose to continue your coverage, during the first 31 days you have the free coverage described above. For a copy of the FEHB Guide for TCC enrollments you can go to 70-05 or request from DCHR Benefits and Retirement Administration. Your enrollment charges begin on the 32nd day after the end of the pay period in which your employment ends. If you continue the coverage to the end of the 18-month period, you will have another 31-day temporary extension of coverage for conversion to a non-group contract.
If you wish to continue your FEHB coverage under TCC, complete SF-2809 and return it to DCHR Benefits and Retirement Administration. Forms must be returned within 60 calendar days after the date of your separation. Be sure to write "TCC" on the top of the form.
Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
If you have a Health Care Flexible Spending Account or a Limited Expense Health Care FSA, your contributions will terminate on the date of your separation, but any expenses incurred before that will still be reimbursed. If you have a Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account, your contributions will terminate, but you may continue to be reimbursed for expenses until the end of the benefit period or until your account balance is exhausted; whichever is sooner.
Federal Employees' Vision and Dental Insurance Program (FEDVIP)
If you are enrolled in FEDVIP, your coverage terminates at the end of the pay period in which you separate. There is no extension of coverage or opportunity to convert to an individual policy.
Long Term Care (LTC)
If you are enrolled in LTC, it is fully portable as long as you continue paying premiums. If you are paying premiums through payroll deductions, you must switch to another payment plan. To change payment plans, call the LTC Partners at 1-800-LTC-FEDS (1-800-582-3337) and press 3 for customer service; or complete a Billing Change form.
Post-1956 Military Service
If you are planning to apply for a deferred retirement benefit and you have Post-1956 military service, you may need to make a deposit to the CSRS in order to receive credit for that service in the computation of the deferred benefit. The deposit is 7% of the basic military pay you received (plus interest as applicable) and the deposit must be paid before your employment ends (unless you are subsequently reemployed in the Federal government). If you wish to make the deposit, please notify the Office of Pay and Retirement Services (OPRS) immediately.
Leave
If you have any annual leave that you have accrued but have not used prior to the end of your employment, you will be paid the accumulated leave in a lump sum. You will receive this payment during the pay period that your separation action is processed. If the separation action is processed late, the payment will also be late. The lump sum annual leave payment will follow the same electronic deposit as your salary check. You will not be paid for any sick leave you have accrued but have not used prior to the end of your employment. If you return to the Federal Government, your accrued sick leave will be re-credited to your sick leave account.
Employee Self Service
You will continue to have access to your Employee Self Service (ESS) account for up to one year after you separate. You will use ESS to access your final Leave and Earnings Statement to review the salary and lump sum annual leave as well as to obtain your W-2.
Questions
If you have any questions about any of this information or need forms, please contact the DCHR Benefits and Retirement Administration at [email protected] or (202) 442-7627.