Breadwinner VERA - Ugh

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If the OP is not 60 or doesn’t not have 30yrs, there is a difference between VERA and DSR. Read OPM RIF Chapters 44 and 51.

https://www.opm.gov/retirement-center/publications-forms/csrsfers-handbook/c044.pdf

https://www.opm.gov/retirement-center/publications-forms/csrsfers-handbook/c044.pdf#page7

Also, in RIF if you are offered a “reasonable reassignment” and decline, that’s a resignation and there is no VERA or DSR.

you mean doesnt have 20 years

[Anonymous]

Getting RIF is better if you are qualify for DSR. If RIF you get 60 days admin leave before you take DSR. If you take VERA, you don’t get 60 days of admin leave and your regiment date extend by 60 days too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Getting RIF is better if you are qualify for DSR. If RIF you get 60 days admin leave before you take DSR. If you take VERA, you don’t get 60 days of admin leave and your regiment date extend by 60 days too.

Most agencies are offering the VERA with a sweetener like a Fork 2.0 or VSIP. So that makes it better.

[Anonymous]

“Getting RIF is better if you are qualify for DSR. If RIF you get 60 days admin leave before you take DSR. If you take VERA, you don’t get 60 days of admin leave and your retirement date extend by 60 days too.”

Yes Fork 2.0 is better than RIF. But the Fork 2.0 is only offered at few agencies. If your salary is GS13 or above and getting paid for 60 days admin leave the money is higher than VSIP 25k

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:“Getting RIF is better if you are qualify for DSR. If RIF you get 60 days admin leave before you take DSR. If you take VERA, you don’t get 60 days of admin leave and your retirement date extend by 60 days too.”

Yes Fork 2.0 is better than RIF. But the Fork 2.0 is only offered at few agencies. If your salary is GS13 or above and getting paid for 60 days admin leave the money is higher than VSIP 25k

Except apparently some agencies are refusing to provide ethics exceptions for taking a new job during the Fork admin leave. That’s a risk I am not willing to take.

[Anonymous]

Please explain how fork 2.0 is better than a rif for an employee with 10+ years and >40 but not vera eligible. I don't understand!

[Anonymous]

Is anyone worried about being offered a “reasonable reassignment” during a RIF? I’m a GS 14 and am worried they’d make me take a GS12 and not pay me severance.

I do think I’ll be RIFed but… I’m the best worker in my entire agency in a niche area. I think I have a reasonable reassignment headed my way. Also, the office I’m at now is incredible and I couldn’t have a job further (4 kids). I would rather be a sahm than take a gs 12 far away, but I do feel like I’ve earned my severance. I’ve worked long hours for decades.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:I am surprised about how many people in their 50’s took VERA with plans to find another job. I say wait and see what happens. I would not take VERA heading into a recession.

I’m not expecting to find another job. We would just spend down 401k. We have about $2M. It would be a much more asture life and kids would likely go to state colleges, but it’s better outcome than having no health insurance and no jobs — we have chronic illness with expensive meds.

if you qualify for VERA now then you qualify for DSR. If the current VERA offer doesn't include VSIP then there is no functional difference between a RIF DSR and VERA--except one is chosen for you and the other you elect.

If you *know* you're going to get RIFed then a FORK VERA is likely better than any VSIP payment.

caveats for other folks: if you don't qualify for VERA yet, but will before sept 30, then you'd likely want to FORK VERA.

if you are in the unfortunate place of being MRA+10 but not eligible for VERA, you will not get any severance in a RIF. FORK or rolling the dice to duck a RIF may be for you. Unfortunately, most RIFs are not being run in a way that would benefit seniority or performance or skill. I have only heard of IRS actually asking for RIF resumes.

MRA+10 won’t get pension but I thought they did get severance payment?

a RIF for someone who is MRA+10 means they are eligible to start their pension but there is a 5% per year penalty permanent reduction of the pension for every year you are under 62.

You don't get severance. the best option for MRA+10 may be to postpone starting the pension until JUST BEFORE they turn 62, so that they can restart FEHB. everyones situation is different.

I’m 50 and MRA+10. I thought all I could get was a payout severance of like 15 * weeks pay. If I take an early returns with the penalty, can I get FEHB?

How do you get FEHB with a postponed retirement at 62??

I think you'd need to be older than 50 to be MRA+10.

Yes, this is very confusing!! 50 is definitely not MRA. That would be age 56-57. (Age 50 with 20 years of service counts for a VERA, but it's not your MRA.)

Pom website is pretty clear.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is anyone worried about being offered a “reasonable reassignment” during a RIF? I’m a GS 14 and am worried they’d make me take a GS12 and not pay me severance.

I do think I’ll be RIFed but… I’m the best worker in my entire agency in a niche area. I think I have a reasonable reassignment headed my way. Also, the office I’m at now is incredible and I couldn’t have a job further (4 kids). I would rather be a sahm than take a gs 12 far away, but I do feel like I’ve earned my severance. I’ve worked long hours for decades.

GS14 at 161k to a GS12 at 114k is a lot. How is that reasonable??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is anyone worried about being offered a “reasonable reassignment” during a RIF? I’m a GS 14 and am worried they’d make me take a GS12 and not pay me severance.

I do think I’ll be RIFed but… I’m the best worker in my entire agency in a niche area. I think I have a reasonable reassignment headed my way. Also, the office I’m at now is incredible and I couldn’t have a job further (4 kids). I would rather be a sahm than take a gs 12 far away, but I do feel like I’ve earned my severance. I’ve worked long hours for decades.

GS14 at 161k to a GS12 at 114k is a lot. How is that reasonable??

because with a retreat, you continue your old salary for like two years.

https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/pay-administration/fact-sheets/grade-and-pay-retention-examples/