CIVIL SERVICE CSRS/FERS BENEFITS PRESENTATION

Presented by:Cherie L. Anderson, LUTCF, ChFEBC℠

Of

MetLifeL1011212126[exp1212][AL,FL]

WHAT IS A CHFEBC℠ PROFESSIONAL?

A ChFEBC℠ (Chartered Federal Employee Benefits Consultants) is a prestigious designation for

Financial Advisors, CPAs, Attorneys, and certain employees of the Federal Government, who have

successfully completed an intensive training course and passed a rigorous examination covering all

federal employee benefits. The training consists of a 16 module assignment curriculum. All types of federal employees are covered (such as CSRS,

FERS, CSRS Offset, FERS Transferees, Law Enforcement, fire fighters, air traffic controllers,

etc. ) The course is available by independent study or a two-day course on-site conducted by a

qualified instructor.

FERS SYSTEM Basics Retirement Requirements Annuity Survivor Benefits Disability Federal Group Life Insurance TSP Social Security LTC FEHB

FERS BASICS

Program began 1/1/1987 and continues today

Is a three-benefit system

Participants contribute 6.2% to social security and .8% to their retirement annuity

Typically receive both a retirement annuity and a social security payment

CREDITABLE SERVICE

Hire date to retirement date if contributions are made. Leave w/o pay up to 6 months in 1 calendar year Workers Comp when returned to work Part-time Service

Before 4/7/86 = Full Eligibility and Computation On or After 4/7/86 = Full eligibility, prorated annuity computation

Intermittent when actually employed for days worked, 260 max Break in service up to 3 days Buy back time (deposit service)

Before 1/1/89 = 1.3% deposit and full E + C After 1/1/89 or no deposit = No E and No C

Redeposit of contributions withdrawn Redeposit = Full E and C No redeposit = No E and No C

Military Service For service before 1/1/1957 no deposit needed For service after 1/1/57: deposit made = E + C For service after 1/1/57: No deposit made = No E and No C

RETIREMENT REQUIREMENTS(AGE)/(YEARS OF SERVICE)

Non-Reduced: 62/5, 60/20, MRA+30

Early Out: Any Age w/25- 2% permanent reduction for every year < 55*

Reduction in Force (RIF): 50/20

DCS Separation: 50/20, Any Age/25, 2% reduction for every year < 55* Disability: Any Age w/5

Deferred: 62 w/5

* Reduction may be waived

FERS ANNUITY Under 62 with less than 20 yrs (1% x Hi- 3 x yrs of

service ) Age 62 with more than 20 yrs (1.1% x Hi- 3x yrs of

service)

Special Retirement Supplement: MRA + 30yrs. or 60/20 FERS will receive their age 62 S.S. benefit until they reach 62

Earnings test: 0-$14,160 @ no penalty, $1 reduction for every $2 over.

Early out or involuntary also receive the supplement if they have reached MRA

No matter when FERS retires, the annuity begins on the first of the next month

COLAs begin at age 62

FERS SURVIVOR BENEFIT

Cost 10% of annuity and provides a 50% survivor benefit

Partial Survivor Benefit cost 5% and provides a 25% benefit

At least some benefit must be kept to maintain FEHB

Children’s benefit is reduced by any SS received

Death < 10 yrs. of service, spouse gets $15,000 adjusted by 12/1/87 dollars ($29,722 in 2010) + 50% of salary or High-3, whichever is greater.

More than10yrs, Lump Sum same as above + 50% of basic annuity without reduction and the special retirement supplement if spouse is younger than 60.

FERS DISABILITY

Must apply for SSI prior to applying for DI.

1st year disability is 60% of High 3 reduced by 100% SSI

2nd year until Age 62 is 40% of High 3 reduced by 60% of SSI

At age 62 the benefit is recomputed to include all yrs worked plus all yrs on disability with COLAs

FEGLI

Basic: Present salary rounded up to the next $1,000 + $2,000

Extra benefit: Same as basic and is free, but reduces by 10% per year at 35.

Option A: $10,000 (includes AD&D)

Option B: 1-5 x Salary

Option C: $2,500 child/$5,000 spouse x 1-5

BASIC LIFE INSURANCE IN RETIREMENT:

Option A Has only one option in retirement At 65 will decrease until there is only 25% remaining There is no cost after age 65

1% reduction per month at retirement or at 65, whichever is later, until it reaches 50% of the Basic amount. $.60/$1000 cost per month after age 65

No reduction $1.83/$1000 per month after age 65

OPTION B AND C

Option B: Reduces after age 65 until there is nothing left No premiums after age 65 or retirement,

whichever is later Keep coverage for life, Premiums increase at age

intervals

Option C: Employee must keep basic coverage Coverage reduces at 2% per month at age 65

Premiums stop at age 65 or retirement, whichever is later

If the retiree chooses to continue the coverage Premiums will increase at age intervals

TSP

FERS can contribute $16,500 per year, $5,500 extra if over 50

1% government contribution regardless of individual participation

Up to 5%of the FERS contributions matched

FERS must work for 3 years to be vested

FERS are immediately vested in their own contributions

TSP FUND CHOICES

G – Government Securities F – Fixed Income C – Common Stock S – Small Cap I – International There are 5 Lifecycle funds: Rebalanced daily and adjusted quarterly to

maximize return for given risk. They are managed by Mercer Investment Consulting with a combination of the 5 TSP funds.

L Income – For those taking current income or planning retirement within 2 years.

L 20XX – Investment mix that reflects a time horizon for retirement near this date.

TSP WITHDRAWAL OPTIONS

While working, after age 59 ½ you may make a 1 time in service withdraw.

At age 55 or older, there will not be a 10% penalty for any withdrawals if retired or separate from service simultaneously.

TSP may be transferred to a Traditional IRA. Lump sump distribution – taxes paid at time of

withdrawal. Purchase an annuity through TSP. Take equal monthly payments. Choose amount to be paid. May adjust annually. Use the IRS’s calculation of payments, ie.RMD

IN-SERVICE WITHDRAWALS

If an employee makes an in-service withdrawal, they may continue to contribute and FERS will match – but their withdrawal options will be limited in retirement.

Additional Withdrawal Options: Less than $200 = automatic cash out. If withdrawn before age 55, there is a 10%

penalty for early withdrawal plus taxes unless a 72(t) (equal and substantial or life annuity)

If funds are withdrawn, other than a transfer, 20% is withheld for taxes.

FERS spouse has rights as to how contributions are withdrawn.

Spouse must sign a waiver. Former spouse, due to court order, may need a

waiver also.

SOCIAL SECURITY

Calculating S.S. is a 4-steps process: If born between 1929 and 1978 – must earn $50 per quarter.

After 1978 - $4,360 at any point = 4 credits for the year Born before 1929 need less than 40 credits After 1929 need 40 credits Once someone has 40, they are eligible for some SS You cannot buy credits, borrow, or inherit them.

Determine full SS: Year of birth determines eligibility for full retirement at 65,

66, or 67 All may take a reduced amount at 62 if they have 40

quarters If deferred until age 70, SS will be higher

SS tax income limits: Single AGI: $25K - $35K = 50% tax, $35K+ = 85%

tax Joint AGI: $32K – $44K = 50% tax, $44K+ = 85% tax.

PRIMARY INSURANCE AMOUNT A spouse at full retirement (65-67) may take

100% of their SS or 50% of their spouse’s, whichever is greatest

A spouse age 62 may take 80% of PIA or 37.5% of their spouses, whichever is greater

A spouse, at any age, caring for children under 16yrs may take 50% of spouse’s PIA

A child, unmarried, under age 19 if in high school, or any age if disabled before age 22 may take 50% of worker’s PIA

LONG TERM CARE INSURANCE

John Hancock is the Federal LTC provider

Benefit levels are $100-$450 daily in increments of $50 with benefit periods of 2,3,5 and lifetime

Elimination period is 90 days and inflation riders are 4% compound, 5% compound, and GPO

Tax qualified, so premiums are deductible if they exceed 7.5% of AGI

Available only during open enrollment

HEALTH CARE

FEDVIP Dental and Vision is available to employees, retirees, and family members

FSA: $5,000 medical, $5,000 dependent, use it or lose it March 15. Pre-tax dollars

HSA: Must have HDHP. FEHB member owns the account. Unused rolls over

HRA: Must be enrolled in HDHP and not HSA No individual contributions allowed. Credits carry over, but are forfeited if member

leaves

MEDICARE TWO MAIN PARTS:

Hospital: Part A Deductible of $1,100 and no premium 1.45% deducted out of each paycheck while working

Medical and Doctor:Part B Deductible of $135 and 20% copay

The premium $110.50 for new enrollees and $96.40 for current

If retired must enroll 3 months prior or 3 months after 65th birthday(7mo. window)

General Enrollment January1-March 31

10% penalty for each 12-months late

If retired after 65, you have 8 months to enroll with no penalty