Did you buy your time back?

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 17:56:39 -0400

Some federal jobs allow you to buy your active duty time back, and apply it towards your federal retirement?

How exactly does this work, and did anyone do this? How has it worked out?
If you're already retired can you defer retirement and take it at a later time for more money like delaying Social Security benefits?

What is the fee associated with buying back your military time? If you don't mind sharing....

Response by PO1 John Miller made Apr 9 at 2015 9:17 PM

PO1 John Miller — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 21:17:34 -0400

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member , the first question I would ask you is, do you plan on retiring from the Army?

The reason I ask is because military retirees are actually at a disadvantage when it comes to federal and other government jobs that "buy back" military time. In other words military retirees cannot sell back their military time since they're already collecting 1 retirement.

That is all I really know, since that is my situation. If I were to get a government job (I currently work as a defense contractor) I could not sell back my Navy time.

Response by MSG Louis Alexander made Mar 12 at 2018 2:35 PM

MSG Louis Alexander — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 14:35:56 -0400

Frères Légion à bras rester fort pour nos enfants sauront notre amour.
Viva la Légion étrangère

Response by SGM Pete Berube made Feb 3 at 2023 3:58 AM

SGM Pete Berube — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 03:58:34 -0500

It's possible to get your time back? If yes, how do you do this? Thank you!

Response by A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney made Feb 3 at 2023 11:45 AM

A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 11:45:33 -0500

COOL..
I'm Now 78, How Can I Buy Another 78.?
I Wanna Do This Life All Over Again....
It's Been A GREAT RIDE,,,,

Response by MSG Thomas Currie made Feb 3 at 2023 3:13 PM

MSG Thomas Currie — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 15:13:23 -0500

Are you really too lazy to ask your local Civilian Personnel Office (the usual federal title for HR) who can easily give you the exact answer as it applies to your specific circumstances?

The details vary with which federal retirement system you are covered by and with whether you are retired from the military or simply have some military time without reaching military retirement.

In general terms, if you are not retired from the military, the personnel office will review your military record to determine how much you were paid (just base pay, not including any allowances, etc.) to determine how much you would have to pay into the civilian retirement system for that time. It's a different percent for each retirement system. You pay the amount that would have been deducted from your pay if you had been covered by the same retirement system you are now in. There is also a small amount of interest charged on the amount you have to pay depending on how long ago the time was. It can be a great idea if your military time was mostly when military pay was low; especially so if you are in a high paying civilian position now because civilian retirement is based on your total time and your civilian pay (calculated for your "high three" years). If you have any military time and aren't retired, it is almost always a good deal to buy that time because otherwise you get absolutely nothing for it.

If you retired from the military there are different rules. You'd need to check with the Civilian Personnel Office to see what rules apply to your situation.

Response by Sgt Dennis Peskey made Feb 3 at 2023 3:47 PM

Sgt Dennis Peskey — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 15:47:10 -0500

Had to do it when I retired from the Postal Service. Ended up paying more in interest from my tour in Vietnam ('69-70) than the Corps pay me in salary for the lovely vacation. The charge is figured on the tax applicable at the time (which is not much) but then they add in the interest for the amount not paid from then until now - that sucks.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Feb 3 at 2023 3:49 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 15:49:30 -0500

If you plan to stay in the Military, it would depend on your pay grade when you separate from Federal service. What your grade will be in the military and what retirement package you fall under in both the Fed and Military.

It is sone simple math with sone research, nothing anyone hear came say without many questions. So, speak to your HR, read the Federal policy and understand the military side.

I have seen active duty but back because they left the military at such a junior grade with higher expectations for promotion as a Fed.

For anyone E8/ Major or above who entered service during or before Hi 3 it would be a loss. Unless you are Federal Law Enforcement, the pension/savings plan can’t touch the Military Service.

As I stated it will take research and math to decide. I only give a brief example as to sone related situations.

Not claiming this is 100 accurate as it would require me to refresh on all the associated policies.