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2013 COLA Update
Federal retirees in the CSRS and FERS retirement systems will receive a COLA increase
of 1.7% percent in their annuities in 2013. Complete COLA
information is available on this site.
Retiree JOB Opportunities
Many job opportunities are available for federal retirees − and those planning to
retire soon − to earn additional income in retirement. Our
Jobs Board has updated listings targeted
to federal retirees. Many companies seek out retired federal employees due
to their government experience and contacts. You can also explore high
paying
opportunities for those that hold current Security Clearances.
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Federal Employee's CSRS & FERS Federal Civil Service Retirement
& Financial Planning Resources
Resource Menu
- CSRS and FERS Handbook
- 2011 Federal Benefits
Handbook (Free download from Federal Handbooks)
- Federal Jobs Net
Web Address: Government Jobs Career Center -
http://federaljobs.net
Description: Career center for federal government jobs. Includes helpful
information for federal employees.
- Federal Career Guidance Center
Web Address: Federal Employee Career Center -
http://fedcareer.info
Description: Career guidance for federal employees including the development
of comprehensive goals and objectives through the use of the Individual
Development Plans. Sample forms and templates are provided.
- Federal Employee Benefits and Assistance
Web Address: Federal Employee Web Site -
http://federaljobs.net/fed.htm
Description: Provides general information on benefits, internal transfers,
reinstatement, application and KSA guidance, helpful resources, and much
more.
- (OPM) Office of Personnel Management (Retirement Support Site)
Web Address: http://www.opm.gov/retire,
E-Mail: retire@opm.gov
Description: Retirees can call toll free 1-888-767-6738
weekdays between 7:30 AM to 7:45 PM EST, fax requests to 1-724-794-6633, or email
questions to retire@opm.gov anytime to ask
questions or request assistance with their personal retirement issues.
Call early in the day if possible to get through and
you must have your retirement claim number or Social Security number
available. OPM advises that "the internet is not a secure environment
for transmitting personal information via email." Replies via email
typically take 15 days or more.
Survivors can also report an annuitant's death. Active federal employees must go through their agency's personnel office.
Federal retirees can sign up for online support, add or change allotments,
purchase savings bonds, and view monthly pay statements at
http://www.servicesonline.opm.gov. You must obtain a user ID from OPM
to access this site. If you call their number and give them your CSA number
they will send you a user ID and password to access this excellent site.
- Direct Deposit
Information
- Change of Address
Contact OPM at the phone number or web site listed above. You will need to
have your CSA number handy when you call. Call early in the morning, they
get very busy during the day. If you switch to direct deposit you can avoid
this in the future and you generally get your funds deposited sooner than
with a paper check. I use direct deposit. Go to
http://federalretirement.net/retireforms.htm and read the instructions
on completing the SF-1199 direct deposit forms and the process.
- Retiree Benefits Identification Card (OPM Issued)
When you retire OPM should send you a Retirement Services Reference Card.
Most retirees that I’ve talked to never receive one. To receive your card call
OPM at 1-888-767-6738. I called and received my card in 5 days. Your annuitant
claim number and OPM contact information is printed on the back. You can use
this card to receive certain discounts and DOD retirees are able to book stays
at military resorts with this card.
-
Annuity Confirmation for Financial Institutions
If your bank or mortgage company requires an official confirmation
of annuity you must have the fax number of the financial institution
available and call OPM at either 1-888-767-6738 or 202-606-0500. The OPM
retirement specialist will ask you for your name and Claim number
(Retirement CSA #). They will fax the confirmation of annuity to your
financial institution immediately. You can also fax the request to OPM at
724-794-6633 however this could take up to a week or longer to receive a
reply depending on the workload at the office.
- Duplicate 1099-R - How to obtain
You can download duplicate 1099-R forms from OPM's web site if you are a
registered user. To become a user you have to call OPM, their contact
numbers are listed on our site, go to
http://federalretirement.net/faqs.htm and click on the Contact OPM link
for the web address and phone number. If you call,
see contact phone numbers above, they
will also send out a hard copy of the form to you.
- Reporting a Death -
Survivors, family, or estate representatives are required to notify OPM in
the event of the benefit recipient’s death. Contacted OPM by email:
retire@opm.gov or by telephone at (888)
767-6738 -- TTY: 1 (800) 878-5707; their hours of operation are 7:30 A.M.
until 7:45 P.M (Eastern Time).”
http://www.opm.gov/retire/post/survivor/special_notice.asp
OPM should send you the forms to complete to file for life insurance and
further instructions. For more information see:
http://www.opm.gov/insure/life/deathclaims/index.asp
The Federal Records Center is the depository for official personnel folders
of persons no longer in the Federal service. Federal agencies, generally,
transfer employment records to the Federal Records Center thirty days after the
employee has been separated from Federal service.
The telephone numbers and e-mail addresses listed may only be used to contact
the facilities regarding procedures for submitting written requests for
information. The Privacy Act of 1974 (5 USC 552a) and OPM require a signed and
dated written request for information from Federal records. No requests for
information from personnel or any other type of records will be accepted by
telephone or e-mail.
Federal Records Center
National Archives and Records Administration
111 Winnebago Street
St. Louis, Missouri 63118
(314) 801-9250, FAX: 314-801-9269
Email: cpr.center@nara.gov
Inquiries must include your full name under which formerly employed, social
security number, date of birth, and to the extent known, former Federal
employing agencies, addresses and dates of such employment.
DD-214 Copies - To obtain a
copy of a DD-214 form to prove military service you or a family member must
mail or fax a
SF-180
form to the National Archives. The phone numbers for this service are
1-866-272-6272, FAX: 301-837-0483.
- FedRetireSoftware
Web Address:
FedRetireSoftware (FREE Retirement Planning Software)
You can download the free Personal and the free Personal PLUS editions of their CSRS and FERS Benefits
Calculator and Retirement Analyzer software programs. This software has been
used by tens of thousands of federal employees, since 1999, to thoroughly
investigate the affordability of federal retirement. You will be able
to generate numerous reports to help you make informed decisions about your
unique situation.
- Medicare and Medicaid
Web Address:
http://www.medicarevsmedicaid.com
Description: Information on Medicare and Medicaid, learn about differences,
health insurance, health care, plans.
- Retiree Career Center (Part time, full time,
temporary and consulting jobs)
- SearchFedJobs.com (http://searchfedjobs.com)
Use this site to search a broad cross section of federal, state, and private
sector job vacancies in your area from multiple sources. A comprehensive and
FREE job listing service tailored to those looking for ALL potential
vacancies from ALL sources in any area including overseas.
- ASA - American Seniors Association - An alternative
to AARP Web Address:
http://www.americanseniors.org/ Description: The American Seniors
Association's mission is to provide seniors with the choices,
information, and services they need to live healthier, wealthier lives.
Our members' dignity and security matter most to us, and that's why
thousands of Americans every year turn to the American Seniors
Association for the help they need.
- AARP - American Association of Retired Persons Web
Address: www.aarp.org Description:
Founded in 1958, AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership
organization that helps people 50 and over improve the quality of their
lives.
- Federal Times - Retirement Planning by Reg Jones
Web Address:
http://blogs.federaltimes.com/federal-retirement/ Description: Reg
Jones replies to retirement related questions for Federal Times readers
and site visitors. The Federal Times
web site is also very informative and covers major issues concerning
federal employees, benefits, and work life.
- FEDweek - Publishes helpful weekly email
newsletters, as well as many in-print and online publications targeted
to federal employees and annuitants. Their current year "CSRS and FERS
Retirement Planning Guides" are very informative, inexpensive, and well
organized for ease of use. Don Mace, a Vietnam veteran, is their editor
and publisher and he has served federal employees and annuitants for
over 30 years. Visit their web site at
www.fedweek.com frequently for the latest articles and updated
guides.
- Government Executive Magazine's
Life After
Retirement column. Their Life After Government articles are
insightful and written by well know subject matter experts such as Tammy
Flanagan, a Senior Benefits Director for the National Institute of
Transition Planning, Inc. Visit this site often to read their insightful
articles.
- Tammy
Flanagan's article archives. Excellent retirement planning
articles from one of the most knowledgeable and respected federal
employee benefits specialists and a columnist for govexec.com.
- NARFE Chapter Site: Web Address:
http://www.people.umass.edu/manarfe/ (Massachusetts Chapter) Visit
this site for event schedules and chapter activities. This site
includes representative contact and other helpful information for their
membership. A very useful site.
- NARFE - National Active & Retired Federal Employees
Association Web Address: NARFE web site -
http://www.narfe.org Description:
This excellent organization is a wealth of information and resources for
federal employees, retirees, and survivor annuitants. NARFE's 350,000
members benefit from their extensive web site, monthly magazine,
newsletters, the NARFE staff, and local NARFE chapter volunteers
throughout the United States. You can also visit a number of regional
and local sites such as their New York regional web site at
http://www.narfeny.org for helpful
information and up-to-date guidance. It only costs $25 a year to join
and less with the specials they offer.
- National Institute of Transition Planning, Inc Web
Address: NITP web site -
www.nitpinc.com Description: If you have a complex retirement issue
that needs addressed visit the National Institute of Transition Planning
(NITP) site and select their extensive “frequently Asked Questions”
feature and/or “Questions Submission” form on their site.
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