Posted on Mar 26, 2021
Cpl Vic Burk
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A former student from many years back came to see me and asked me this question. I don't know the answer. He wants to know if he does ten years with another government agency if he will be able to retire and collect. I told him to call the V. A. and ask and he said he did but nobody could, or would answer the question.
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Responses: 15
SFC Casey O'Mally
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For retirement, yes. You can "buy back" your time. Basically you pay into the system to grant you the extra. Every federal agency knows how to do this, and if the VA folks he talked to were clueless, it is because he was talking to the wrong folks. He needs to talk to the HR folks at whichever agency he is considering joining.
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SSG Edward Tilton
SSG Edward Tilton
>1 y
I did that and bought back 8 years which gave me 20 with the VA. It wasn’t a lot but it helps
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SGM G3 Sergeant Major
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For both FERS and CSRS, OPM has a whole book about it:

Complete information pertaining to military service can be found in the CSRS/FERS handbook at http://www.opm.gov/retire/pubs/handbook/C022.pdf
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SFC Retention Operations Nco
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You should inform your former student that they won't be able to collect a pension at 20 years like with a military retirement. They'll still have to wait till age 60 or so to retire but their ten years will still be credited towards the retirement pay.
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Cpl Vic Burk
Cpl Vic Burk
>1 y
Thanks for that information SPF Jason Boyd. I will let him know.
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