r/FedRetirees

I retired from the DoD on 10/31/2025 as an ATC Specialist with military time also bought back. I have a divorce from very early in my military service, well before I separated and started working civil service; no kids, no settlements, just mutual separation/divorce. And here I am, 7 months later and still waiting for my retirement to be finalized.

My online service account shows my case assigned to an OPM specialist. However, when I talked to someone on the phone and also emailed for clarification, I was told I was still waiting to be assigned to ANOTHER specialist. How many more people need to work on my case until it's finished? And how much longer is that really going to take?

Took DRP 1 retired 12/31/25. Got AL payout in Feb and started receiving est monthly benefit then as well. Just got my booklet and will get about $1K in adjustment and est was a couple hundred dollars under final amount.

Relatively uncomplicated but did have some prior service and a different agency but had bought back time years ago when HR did an audit. Did not use ORA so HR handled everything. Honestly not bad.

Oh and this is with DOT. Good luck to everyone still waiting.

My husband just turned 65, is retired from the government. We've had Kaiser Permanente FEHB High Option for 25 years. He now has cancer and he needs the best Medicare plan and to keep his options open. Kaiser is very good when you are healthy. Not so much when you have cancer. Have considered FEHB Blue Cross Blue Shield who are secondary payers if you have Medicare A and B. Then, adding a cheap medigap plan would allow him to switch medigap plans in the future without having to qualify health-wise. Anyone else done something like is.

Medicare pays first and then the medigap and then the FEHB? Some medigaps offer high deductibles for a low monthly premium. But what happens with that deductible of the medigap if they pay first. I've called OPM, Medicare, Insurance Companies and no one has any answers about this.

If you have done this, how has it worked for you?

My retirement has now finalized. Prior to that…BCBS was primary and Medicare is secondary. Now that it is finalized…Medicare is supposed to be primary…and BCBS becomes secondary. When does that happen? It seems like BCBS is still primary. Does Medicare and BCBS work this out amongst themselves? Or is there something I need to do? Maybe…like all things…it just takes time.

OPM finalized my retirement a month ago and DOI payroll processing has “lost” record of my leave. I had previously inquired about 2 different times and was told it would be paid out in the next pay period. Today I called and they are going to open a ticket. Really? WTF! OPM was smooth sailing for me (3 weeks and they provided interim payment within 2 days). My agency is what screwed my retirement process up by taking months to process and then trying to screw me out of my unused leave.

I have a question for you smart retirees – I have learned so much from you as I prepare to retire.

I am retiring with 20 years (MRA +10). I know I am leaving money on the table, but I am doing this for my sanity over the administration and to spend more time with my grandkids.

My question is over the very confusing W-4P Withholding Certificate for Periodic Pension or Annuity Payments form. That is my last form to complete. I have read the instructions and consulted with my friends that recently retired. No one really knows what to do with it. I wish it were like a normal W4 where I just choose my withholdings.

When I do the worksheet based on last years taxes and my spouses salary, it says my 4(b) deduction will be over $32k. If that is how much they hold back in taxes, it will be $11k more than my reduced annuity! And, I would not have enough to cover the health insurance premium deduction.

The instructions state if I don’t enter anything, the standard deduction will be used.

I am afraid to enter No Withholding, but that is what I want to do and deal with the taxes at the end of the year.

I realize that deductions are not withholdings.

It is the form that does not make sense. Will FERS just calculate the withholdings based on the standard deduction?

I think my real question is if I put $32k in 4(b) will I get any pension payment? I need it to cover the health insurance premium deduction. And, I would like to get something during the year and not wait for a tax refund.

Thank you for any guidance! 

 

Has anyone chosen not to take Medicare Part B when eligible, leaving FEHB as their primary? Any regrets?

My husband just retired, and we’re planning to move his TSP over to Vanguard. (My investments are in Vanguard.)

Is there any benefit to keeping any money behind in TSP?

Called OPM and they told me they are waiting for USPS to send a 3100(?) to resolve my case. OPM could not tell me what the heck the 3100 is. Anybody have any idea why this 3100 is or why it is holding up my annuity?

Good morning,

I retired on 09/30/2025 and have been getting interims since November of 25, I called the OPM number yesterday and found out I am now at the review stage at OPM. I was told this is the step right before finalization. How long has it taken some of you after you hit this stage for your retirement to be finalized? The phone attendant indicated that it would be fast but offered no timeline.

Have tried to reach out to OPM by phone for clarification; however, they are unreachable.

Retired in 2024 and first time receiving this request. If I don’t meet the requirements of 1 or 2, do I ignore this e-mail or am I required to submit a negative response?

To complete the report and prevent an overpayment, enter whether your supplement is currently reduced and your 2025 gross earnings after retirement.

Please note that you are required to complete the report if you meet any of the following criteria:

1. Your annuity supplement is currently reduced because you reported excess earnings in the previous year.
2. Your earnings were more than $23,400 in 2025 after retirement. (Reportable earned income does not include income from your OPM annuity, Social Security annuity or any other retirement pensions or any income which falls under the exemption for certain air traffic controllers and air traffic control instructors as detailed under 5 U.S.C. &sect 8421a(c)).

Just a heads up: I just received a very official-looking email titled “Notice: Updated Social Security Administration Statement.” Please proceed with caution. When I hovered my cursor over the “View My Statement” link, the domain name appeared to be located in India. EDIT: As noted in a reply, always go directly to the official SSA website and never click on links

https://preview.redd.it/3zrm73qg9c0h1.jpg?width=700&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=71241e7228838fe3b62e93a9129d9f425a58d94d

I retired in 2016 and turned 65 and started Medicare last year, but OPM is not deducting my Medicare Part B premiums from my annuity. My understanding is that only Social Security (which I am not yet receiving) can initiate this process by OPM. I had phone appointments with the local Social Security Office in November and February, but still no deductions by OPM. I have another call scheduled later this month to check on progress again. Has anyone successfully gone through this process? Any advice on possible alternate ways to get this done would be appreciated.

Many federal retirees are on FEP BCBS Basic with Medicare A+B, but the hospital here no longer contracts with BCBS and even one of the major hospital systems in the state: Oregon Health & Science University no longer has a contract with them. We have had Kaiser Permanente for 25 years but now need to be able to see doctors outside of their network and want a plan that is throughout the nation. Which has worked the best for you all?

My spouse is aiming to retire this summer and will lose her health insurance. I am a retiree and currently covered as Self under FEHB. Can I switch to Self +1 or Self and Family to get her covered before open enrollment? If so, how? Thanks!

I understand that feds need to be enrolled in an FEHB plan for the last 5 years leading into retirement in order to keep that coverage into retirement. What about to cover spouse/family? Does the spouse or family need to also be covered under FEHB for that same 5-year period? Or if the fed is covered alone under FEHB during the last five years, can the fed add spouse/family to their FEHB in retirement (absent some other qualifying event like marriage, divorce, etc.)?

Will be withdrawing money from TSP soon. My understanding is you create a request with TSP and they email your spouse to e-sign. Has anyone had issues doing e-sign on iPhone? Is the notarized paper form still an option?

Retired 12/31/25, DOD \ DON. Services Online still says incomplete for Application Received \ Assigned to Specialist. However, says Case Finalized 4/30.

Received one interim payment 5/1. First regular \ full payment due 6/1.

Now to figure out the IRS 721 worksheet before next Jan. 😄