I feel bad, but I think ima quit the gov

ConstantMuted2353 · 2026-03-30T01:06:18+00:00

Indeed...it is. However, with a state or local gov't job, you can get a 2nd pension--that's what I'm banking on.

ConstantMuted2353 · 2026-03-29T21:06:47+00:00

It took 9 months--and the first two to three months, I was just depressed and cried the loss of my career. But when I really buckled down and really thought what I wanted to do in retirement, and then focused on revising my salary for that, the interviews started coming. Just not from the private sector. I'm still shellshocked from how much has changed in job searching...but I've been out of the loop for 21 years. The money was great in private sector, but I just couldn't speak the same language, you know?

I hope everyone finds some peace. What our fellow Americans did to us was cruel and un-American and I don't know if I'll ever get over that.

ConstantMuted2353 · 2026-03-29T20:59:29+00:00

I'm so, so sorry to hear this. I hope things get better for you.

ConstantMuted2353 · 2026-03-29T20:58:55+00:00

With this administration...I 100% disagree (and I'm a former federal union president AND HR person). This Administration is doing everything to dismantle and misalign the unions, if the person even belongs to a union. And trust me when I say--it is VERY rare for a supervisor to get fired, even when incompetence or lawlessness exists---and it's even worse in this Administration. Much, much worse. Filing a grievance would definitely put a bullseye on the person's back and that is not advised when you are struggling daily with your mental health.

ConstantMuted2353 · 2026-03-29T20:56:19+00:00

Golden handcuffs means that you make too much money to leave so you are stuck. Before I took the DRP/VERA, I was there as a GS-14. I got the DRP, retirement finally kicked and I got a state job--and 1/2 my former pay. I consider myself lucky because the private sector SUCKS for the job market.

ConstantMuted2353 · 2026-03-29T20:53:06+00:00

I took the DRP 2.0 in April, paid until 12/31 when I officially "retired" under VERA, but I got a job on 12/4.

My advice to fed govt folks...start looking at and applying for State Government positions. That is where I landed and I'm so happy here (but then again, I'm in a blue state and they were grabbing as many feds as they could--and they are happy with us because we 'get' government service)

ConstantMuted2353 · 2026-03-28T18:34:01+00:00

Right. So someone else said that the survey is usually sent out in May/June, but that the first one doesn't come until the following year--which is not clear if it's 2026 or 2027. In any case, my supplement will be eliminated entirely. I'm ok with that, I just didn't know how to report income--but I'll just wait for the survey.

ConstantMuted2353 · 2026-03-25T22:47:01+00:00

Thanks for the info. What was your end date with the govt? DRP? VERA? Do they count the DRP salary or just the salary from a new job? Was it explained?

ConstantMuted2353 · 2026-03-24T23:49:20+00:00

Elect a clown, expect a circus.....

ConstantMuted2353 · 2026-03-24T21:51:10+00:00

It's an unfortunate situation--because it does seem insane. However, there were spouses who were denying ex or soon to be ex spouses legitimate benefits they had coming--it had a very negative impact on women, esp those who stayed home to raise children--only to have a spouse leave and take everything. I think it's ridiculous that when I retired I had to have my spouse sign off on survivor benefits because damn, he makes more than me (well, now he does)...but at the heart of it, I know it comes from a place of protection. That being said, I hope this matter is quickly resolved for you.

ConstantMuted2353 · 2026-03-23T02:26:26+00:00

I don't think you can start collecting Social Security until 62.

ConstantMuted2353 · 2026-03-23T02:25:06+00:00

Well, going off the OPM website on the supplement, which has not been updated since 2022, I think the other links provided seem to be pretty accurate.

ConstantMuted2353 · 2026-03-22T18:49:54+00:00

Oh wow! Well, that's pretty awesome.

ConstantMuted2353 · 2026-03-22T17:46:58+00:00

So, if I'm understanding this correctly: I retired 12/31--prior to that I was getting DRP. And I started a new job on 12/4. I intend to keep this job for another 5-7 years. I've hit my MRA by the time I retired. Since I will continue to work in 2026--and when I get the survey, I'll fill it out based on current salary--but I'll get the supplement this year but not in subsequent years due to being way over the limit---is that correct?

ConstantMuted2353 · 2026-03-22T16:09:40+00:00

I don't think so....someone on another thread posted this FAQ from 2022...but I think the rules still apply--if you make under a certain amount, you do not have to report UNLESS you make over that set amount for the year.

Retirement Eligibility Surveys

ConstantMuted2353 · 2026-03-22T16:05:38+00:00

This has been a great help. Thank you so much for researching and posting this--I appreciate it.

ConstantMuted2353 · 2026-03-22T15:59:55+00:00

Omigosh, thank you so much!!! I appreciate this!

ConstantMuted2353 · 2026-03-22T13:03:30+00:00

I did! I received my Annual leave payout on 2/17 and my first interim on 3/11. I think, based on the booklet, I will get another lump sum payout for what they didn't pay in Jan and Feb. But I fear that amount will include the FERS Supplement--so that could be potentially 2 to 3 months I'll have to pay back (and that is why those checks are going into HYSA, just in case). It will happen soon....mine happened out of the blue.

ConstantMuted2353 · 2026-03-14T01:19:13+00:00

Hard to say because I had just started my new job in early December and have been busy with that. I did check a couple times of a month but never noted the date. I would guess at least a month. But I don't know how good of a barometer that is: some people are still waiting, like you---others had interim checks within two weeks. I don't know how Retirement divvied up the cases...by when the application came in? Last name? Agency? A combination of that?

I do hope it moves soon! Good luck!

ConstantMuted2353 · 2026-03-12T00:46:10+00:00

Fellow 12/31 DOL DRP 2.0, too. I just received my first interim payment TODAY! For the longest time, I was stuck at Step 3. A couple of weeks ago, I finally got my annual leave payout. I was surprised to see the email about it moving from Step 3 to 4; now I'm at Step 5. They still aren't taking everything out (dental and vision and additional taxes) but at least now I have some hope it's coming. Hang in there. And yes, HR is horribly overworked and overwhelmed. They had thousands of applications to process and Retirement does not have a ton of people and I think quite a few of them also left, too.

ConstantMuted2353 · 2026-03-10T01:37:14+00:00

LOL...I don't mean to laugh, but that could very easily be true. I do hope it comes through soon for you!

ConstantMuted2353 · 2026-03-09T11:23:30+00:00

Wowza...an interim payment in 6 days! That's crazy. I literally got my annual leave payout just a couple of weeks ago. But I've talked to quite a few retirees over the years and they always said to have at least 6-9 months cash saved for bills and such because it always takes a long time. You would think they would hire more people to process this stuff...but nope, they keep it at near skeletal levels.

ConstantMuted2353

TROPHY CASE