Generally, credit is allowed for periods of creditable Federal civilian service while in a nonpay status (for example, leave without pay, suspension, furlough, and absence without leave) that do not exceed a total of 6 months in any calendar year.

Nonpay to Perform Active Military Duty. If you are in a nonpay status to perform active military duty you will continued to be covered by your current retirement system. If you die while on active military duty, death benefits will be paid as if you were still in the civilian position. If you become disabled for your civilian position while on active military duty and have 5 years of civilian service you can apply for disability retirement benefits.

When you return to a civilian position the period of military service is creditable under CSRS; however, you must make a deposit subject to the rules for crediting military service. The deposit amount is the lesser of:

1. Seven percent of the military base pay or
2. Whatever the employee contribution would have been for the civilian service had you not entered into active military duty.

Interest begins to accrue each year subsequent to a 2-year interest-free grace period from the date of your return to a civilian position. If you make the deposit during the interest-free grace period you will not be required to pay interest on the deposit. Employees may receive civilian pay subject to retirement deductions during their active military service by using either annual or military leave. If this applies to you, when you return to work and apply to pay a military deposit, you will owe a deposit only for the period of active military service not covered by civilian pay and retirement deductions.

Nonpay While Receiving Benefits From the Officer of Workers’ Compensation (OWCP). If you are receiving benefits from OWCP, credit is given for the entire period of compensation if you are carried on the rolls of the activity in a nonpay status.

Credit is also given for all of the period of separation during which a former employee was in receipt of workers' compensation, regardless of the type of appointment, provided the person is reemployed in Federal service and establishes title to annuity based on a subsequent separation.

1. If you have service in a nonpay status to perform active military duty you must make a deposit to credit this service toward retirement.
2. If you have service in a nonpay status while receiving benefits from OWCP, contact the Benefits Line and ask to speak to a retirement counselor.