Surviving, relocating and job-seeking
- By Milt x_Zall
- Oct 31, 2002
A Reader Writes:
My husband and I are government employees with 15 years of service each.
We are both under the Federal Employees Retirement System.
For years we have received the benefits statement showing what our estimated
survivor annuity would be in the event of either of us passing away. However,
co-workers have told me that neither I nor my husband would be eligible
for any survivor annuity because we both are in federal service. Is this
really the case?
Milt Replies:
No. Your entitlement to a survivor annuity is not affected by your current
employment.
The widow or widower of a deceased federal employee is generally eligible
for a monthly survivor annuity, provided he or she was married to the deceased
for at least nine months before the death. If the surviving spouse had a
child with the deceased person or if the death was accidental, the nine-month
marriage requirement does not apply.
The widow or widower of a deceased annuitant can be eligible only if
the annuitant has elected a reduced payment with survivor benefits.
If you are entitled to receive a civil service annuity based on your
own federal service, there may be a reduction in the amount of any Social
Security benefit you receive based on your deceased spouse's service.
A Reader Writes:
I now have to commute by auto 45 miles one way from New York to New
Jersey since the U.S. Information Agency integrated with the State Department
in October 1999.
My office might move to another location in New Jersey that would be
more than 50 miles from my home. Isn't there a rule that if the move is
more than 50 miles, they have to find me a position closer to my home or
some other compensation?
Milt Replies:
If your office moves, you will be notified of your rights. However,
whatever rights you may have relate to how far the new office is from your
old office, not your home. If your agency moves 50 or more miles from its
present location, then you would be presented with a set of options. You
could be relocated (moved to be closer to work) or offered the option to
retire.
A Reader Writes:
Where can I find federal IT security jobs?
Milt Replies:
Try USAJobs at www.usajobs.opm.gov and
type "security" in the Search Jobs window.
Zall is a retired federal employee who since 1987 has written the Bureaucratus
column for Federal Computer Week. He can be reached at milt.zall@verizon.net.