Some Important Post Separation Benefits and Entitlement for Employees at Closing Bases:
Extended Employment for Retirement and/or Health Benefits Eligibility
Eligible civilian employees with adequate annual leave balances will be retained in an annual leave status beyond their scheduled separation date to attain first eligibility for immediate retirement or to become eligible for continued health benefit coverage during retirement.
FERS Annuity Reduction if Under Age 62
FERS employees who retire under VERA (age 50 with 20 years of service or any age with 25 years of service) do not have a reduction.
Temporary Continuation of Federal Health Benefits (FEHB) Coverage
DoD Components will pay the government's share of an eligible employee's TCC health insurance premium (and applicable administrative fees) for a period of up to 18 months after involuntary separation from a position or voluntary separation from a surplus position. This provision applies to employees enrolled in the FEHB Program at the time of separation and are separated by RIF, resign after receipt of a RIF separation notice, volunteer for RIF, or resign from a surplus position. Employees serving on temporary appointments receiving a government contribution to their FEHB coverage, and whose appointment terminates (or is allowed to expire) because of RIF, are also eligible. Employees declining a transfer of function are not eligible.
Automatic Waiver of FEHB Minimum Participation Requirement
OPM will grant a waiver of the five year requirement if the employee has been covered under the FEHB Program continuously since October 1 for each succeeding fiscal year and:
- Receives a buyout under the agency's statutory buyout authority; or
- Takes an early optional retirement as a result of early-out authority in the agency; or
- Takes a discontinued service retirement based on an involuntary separation due to RIF, directed reassignment, reclassification to a lower grade, or abolishment of position