03/24/2012
Information Regarding Counting
Academy Time to Civil Service
Retirement
From Gordo:
Dear Classmates,
This may affect some of you but I think it is
worthwhile for you all to be aware of it. This is a letter from Bill Schramm
regarding retired pay for those who have a civil service retirement. If it
doesn't affect you, it may affect a friend
From Bill Schraam:
After
retiring from the Navy and then retiring from the United Nations, I had a third
"career" as a GS-15 Federal Civil Service Employee. A friend, also a
USNA grad, called me and informed me that my four years at the Academy counted
as time in service for purposes of Federal Civil Service employment. I contacted
my civilian personnel office and they did not have a clue about this rule in the
civil service regulations. When I referred them to the rule they gave me the
credit for the 4 years.
I ended up
working for the Federal Civil Service for 6 years, but was given credit for 10
years service when I retired. The way the system worked when I retired was 1% of
the average of the highest three years pay for each year of service. So those
four years at the Academy netted me an additional 4% in my retired pay. The four
years credit also changed the way they computed my annual leave so I received
more leave sooner.
The rule
in the civil service regulations is just a short paragraph that says that time
spent at USNA, USMA or the Air Force Academy counts as time in service. (See
additional info below re Office of Personnel Management Reference)’
The
problem is that I don't think many people know about this rule and that applies
to both Academy grads and to the people in most civilian personnel offices. We
all know when we graduate that time at the Academy does not count towards our
military retirement, but no one ever told us about the potential impact on civil
service retirement.
I tried
contacting the Alumni Association, but they gave me the brush off saying they
avoid giving "legal or financial advice". But i can't see how letting
graduates know about the existence of this rule can be construed as legal or
financial advice.
At our
local Alumni Chapter I made a comment about this rule and sure enough there was
a USNA grad who was working for the NPS and who was unaware. After I made him
aware he went to the civilian personnel office and obtained the credit.
I think
there should be some way to get the word out. Perhaps you could speak with the
Alumni Association CEO and convince him to pass the word. Another way would be
to reach out to all the class Presidents and ask them to pass the word to their
classmates.
Additional
OPM Info :
The reference
is in the OPM retirement manual titled "CSRS and FERS Handbook for
Personnel and Payroll Offices". CSRS and FERS refer to the older and
newer federal civil service retirement programs. Chapter 22 in the
Handbook is titled Creditable Military Service and the section dealing with the
Academies is Section 22A2.1.2.B.1 on page 4 of the Chapter. The Handbook
is available on the internet at www.opm.gov.
In
general military service can be counted for civil service retirement IF you are
not already receiving a military retirement based on that service. Since
we can't include our academy time in our military retirement it is then service
that can be credited for civil service retirement. For anyone who did not
stay in the military long enough to retire they can claim their time at the
academy in addition to their active duty time if they go to work for the federal
government.
I'll
be happy to discuss this with anyone either by email or they can call me at 831
484-9058.
Regards,
Bill