Will my time working for the USPS during my break in service count for time in service?

2021-09-19T17:53:07-04:00

I served in the military from 2009-2017. I just reenlisted. I will be heading to Navy RTC for the veteran orientation program next month. During my break in service, I worked for the United States Postal Service. Will this time count towards military retirement or time in service?

Response by SSG Michael Noll made Sep 19 at 2021 6:08 PM

2021-09-19T18:08:58-04:00

I don't believe so, also if you retire from the service (20 years or more) that time won't count either toward returning to the Postal Service. Good luck brother Max, 20 Army and 18 USPS next month my friend.

Response by SSG Brian G. made Sep 19 at 2021 6:27 PM

2021-09-19T18:27:58-04:00

No. The USPS is not the military or any branch of it. It is civil service.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 19 at 2021 6:31 PM

2021-09-19T18:31:22-04:00

Military retirement and service is different than Civil Service Retirement.

However your military time, you'll have an option to "buy in time" to put it towards your FERS. You can't collect both unless you've retired in both essentially 20 years military and 20 years USPS.

There are a lot of information out there about Military Retirement and FERS.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Sep 19 at 2021 6:42 PM

2021-09-19T18:42:29-04:00

SPC Maximilian Rodriguez: Congratulations on your re-enlisting!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 19 at 2021 7:50 PM

2021-09-19T19:50:41-04:00

No. Your status is the key. Your status as a civilian does not translate to military service and time. However your military time might help you with longevity as a government civilian.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 19 at 2021 7:52 PM

2021-09-19T19:52:08-04:00

No, but if you were in the IRR or Reserves it would

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Sep 20 at 2021 2:08 AM

2021-09-20T02:08:46-04:00

No. Although your military service can count towards retirement eligibility for civil service (i.e. civilian government employees) it doesn't work the other way around. Next time you have a break in service join the Active Reserve (Army Reserve or National Guard) so you can still get time in service credit for pay and earn points toward retirement.

Response by SFC Keith Gardner made Sep 20 at 2021 2:50 AM

2021-09-20T02:50:49-04:00

The short answer is: No. If you get a federal civil service job after you hang up your uniform then both your military service and your USPS time will count towards your Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS) pension. Keep a copy of your final SF-50 from the USPS that shows your entry and departure dates and your DD 214 to document your military service dates. But you’ll need to be retirement eligible to get that pension. There’s a lot of different rules and eligibility requirements. OPM.gov is actually very informative. Good luck and thank you for serving.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Sep 20 at 2021 9:18 AM

2021-09-20T09:18:03-04:00

Military time can count towards federal civilian time but it doesn't work the other way around.

Response by TSgt Morgan Bepristis made Sep 20 at 2021 8:42 PM

2021-09-20T20:42:50-04:00

The time will count toward civilian civil service retirement not military time or service.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2021 1:56 AM

2021-09-22T01:56:53-04:00

TLDR: Not likely... it could count toward Federal Technician time for the Reserves / Guard, however, since that is also Federal Service.

Response by SPC Maximilian Rodriguez made Sep 26 at 2021 5:04 PM

2021-09-26T17:04:06-04:00

Thank you for all your responses!

Response by PV2 Andy Wen made Dec 11 at 2021 11:17 AM

2021-12-11T11:17:48-05:00

Answer is No!
It works the other way around!