Changes

The system is structured to provide employees an incentive to continue working until age 62 (the earliest date at which an employee can also obtain Social Security benefits), as the annuity percentage is 1.1% for employees age 62 or older with at least 20 years service, and 1% for all others.  Also most employees retiring before age 62 will not receive a cost of living increase until age 62 (except for occupations where the mandatory retirement age is under 62, or employees retiring on disability).

The system is structured to provide employees an incentive to continue working until age 62 (the earliest date at which an employee can also obtain Social Security benefits), as the annuity percentage is 1.1% for employees age 62 or older with at least 20 years service, and 1% for all others.  Also most employees retiring before age 62 will not receive a cost of living increase until age 62 (except for occupations where the mandatory retirement age is under 62, or employees retiring on disability).

Although unused sick leave is added to "creditable Federal service",<ref>The conversion is based on a chart, where 2,087 hours equals one full year, for an example of the chart see http://www.federalretirement.net/sickleavechart.htm.  If actual unused sick leave falls between two amounts, the higher amount is used.</ref> it cannot be used to increase the service time so as to make an employee eligible for retirement and/or eligible for the increased 1.1% percentage.

Although unused sick leave is added to "creditable Federal service",<ref>The conversion is based on a chart, where 2,087 hours equals one full year, for an example of the chart see http://www.federalretirement.net/sickleavechart.htm.  If actual unused sick leave falls between two amounts, the higher amount is used.</ref> it cannot be used to increase the service time so as to make an employee eligible for retirement nor to make an employee eligible for the increased 1.1% percentage.

The actual calculation of creditable service adds years, months, and days separately for civilian employment, military employment repurchased, and unused sick leave.  Days are then converted to months using 30 days as one month, with any remaining days dropped.

The actual calculation of creditable service adds years, months, and days separately for civilian employment, military employment repurchased, and unused sick leave.  Days are then converted to months using 30 days as one month, with any remaining days dropped.