Competitive Salary or Retirement Annuity

Your salary is based upon established government-wide standards and adjusted for longevity, cost of living, and locality costs.

You receive 100% of your pay and benefits for the period of time covered by your accrued annual leave, sick leave, credit hours, comp time, advanced sick leave, and donated leave.

You receive an annuity if eligible -- requires 18 months service for FERS; and 60 months service for CSRS.

Your spouse receives an annuity if eligible. Requires  18 months service for FERS or CSRS. Spouse of FERS employee also receives lump sum payment. Dependent child annuity if you had 18 months of CSRS or FERS service.

Locality Pay Based Upon Average Local Wage Costs

yes

yes

n/a

n/a

if re-employed annuitant

Pay Increases forLongevity

You receive "within grade" pay increases based upon time in grade and satisfactory job performance

You receive "within grade" pay increases based upon time in grade and satisfactory job performance

n/a

n/a

n/a

Periodic Cost of Living Increases

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes, in most cases

Incentive Awards Program

yes

yes

n/a

n/a

if re-employed annuitant

Choice of Health Benefit Plans

You have a choice of HMOs or fee-for-service plans. If enrolled, government pays approximately 72% of your premium. There is an annual open season for switching plans.

You have a choice of HMOs or fee-for-service plans. If enrolled, government pays approximately 72% of your premium. There is an annual open season for switching plans.

If eligible for annuity and enrolled for the 5 years previous, or for all service since first opportunity to enroll. Government pays approximately 72% of your premium; annual open season for switching plans; HMOs or fee-for-service plans available.

If eligible for survivor annuity or lump sum benefit, government pays approximately 72% of the premium. If not eligible, survivor can receive temporary continuation of coverage up to 36 months. Survivor must pay 100% of premium. HMOs or fee-for-service plan available.

FEGLI Life Insurance

yes

yes

Can continue, if enrolled 5 years before retirement or the full period of service during which life insurance was available.

Payment of policy coverage amount

NEBA Life Insurance

yes

yes

Conversion privilege at retirement

Payment of policy coverage amount plus conversion privilege for family members.

ShortTerm Disability Protection

You receive 100% of pay and benefits during the period covered by your accrued, donated, and advanced sick leave & accrued and advanced annual leave & credit hours.

You receive 100% of pay and benefits during the period covered by your accrued, donated, and advanced sick leave & accrued and advanced annual leave & credit hours.

n/a

n/a

n/a

Workmen's Compensation

If injured on duty

If injured on duty

If injured on duty

If injured on duty

If injured on duty

Personal Counseling--Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

yes

yes

n/a

n/a

n/a

Periodic Health Screening

yes

yes

n/a

n/a

n/a

Health Clinic Onsite

yes

yes

n/a

n/a

n/a

Wellness Program

yes

yes

n/a

n/a

n/a

Sick Leave

You earn 4 hrs per pay period

You earn 4 hrs per pay period

n/a

n/a

n/a

Sick Leave Accrual

unlimited

unlimited

n/a

n/a

n/a

Advanced Sick Leave

up to 240 hours

up to 240 hours

n/a

n/a

n/a

Sick Leave to Care for Family Members

You may use up to 104 hours of your accrued sick leave to care for sick family members.

You may use up to 104 hours of your accrued sick leave to care for sick family members.

n/a

n/a

n/a

Annual Leave

You earn 4 hours per pay period if under 3 yrs service; 6 hours if under 15 years service; 8 hrs if over 15 years service.

You earn 4 hours per pay period if under 3 yrs service; 6 hours if under 15 years service; 8 hrs if over 15 years service.

At separation, you receive lump sum payment for unused, accrued annual leave.

Survivors receive lump sum payment for unused, accrued annual leave.

At separation, you receive lump sum payment for unused accrued annual leave.

Annual Leave in Advance

Given in advance in January, up to the amount you would accrue during the forthcoming year.

Given in advance in January, up to the amount you would accrue during the forthcoming year.

n/a

n/a

n/a

Annual Leave Carryover

up to 240 hrs for GS/GM employees

up to 240 hrs for GS/GM employees

n/a

n/a

n/a

Holidays

10 Federal holidays per year

10 Federal holidays per year

n/a

n/a

n/a

Military Leave

up to 14 days per year

up to 14 days per year

n/a

n/a

n/a

Leave for Jury Duty

yes

yes

n/a

n/a

n/a

Leave Donor Program

You may donate or receive donated annual leave for use during extended illness.

You may donate or receive donated annual leave for use during extended illness.

n/a

n/a

n/a

Flexible Work Schedules

variable day (VDS), regular, and irregular work tours

variable day (VDS), regular, and irregular work tours

n/a

n/a

n/a

Retirement Plan

yes

yes

n/a

n/a

n/a

Deferred Annuity

If you resign and do not withdraw your retirement contributions you are eligible to receive a deferred annuity at age 62 if you have 5 years of service. Also, for FERS you are eligible to receive a reduced annuity as early as your minimum retirement age (55-57) with 10 yrs service.

If you resign and do not withdraw your retirement contributions you are eligible to receive a deferred annuity at age 62 if you have 5 years of service. Also, for FERS you are eligible to receive a reduced annuity as early as your minimum retirement age (55-57) with 10 yrs service.

n/a

n/a

n/a

Optional Retirement With an Immediate Annuity

for CSRS and FERS--age 55 (or minimum retirement age for FERS) & 30 yrs service; or age 60 & 20 yrs service; age 62 & 5 yrs service. For FERS, minimum retirement age (55-57) and 10 years service with a reduced annuity if under age 62.

See disability retirement

See disability retirement

Your spouse receives an annuity if eligible. Requires 18 months service for FERS &  CSRS. Spouse of FERS employee also receives lump sum payment. Dependent child annuity if you had 18 months of CSRS or FERS service.

Your basic annuity is based upon your high- three average salary and years of military and civil service plus your annuity from your Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) and your Social Security benefit if you are eligible.

Early Retirement With an Immediate Annuity

If Agency has "early out" authority -- for CSRS and FERS employees: 25 years service at any age or age 50 and 20 years service.

See disability retirement

See disability retirement

Your spouse receives an annuity if eligible. Requires 18 months service for FERS & CSRS. Spouse of FERS employee also receives lump sum payment. Dependent child annuity if you had 18 months of CSRS or FERS service.

n/a

Social Security Coverage

FERS & CSRS employees with 40 social security credits; CSRS employees are subject to windfall provision (you receive a reduced benefit) and public pension offset (your pension offsets your benefit from your spouses social security).

FERS & CSRS employees with 40 social security credits; CSRS employees are subject to windfall provision (you receive a reduced benefit) and public pension offset (your pension offsets your benefit from your spouses social security).

FERS and CSRS employees must have recent social security credits 6 to 20 depending upon age at disability. CSRS employees must also have 1 credit for each year after age 21 until disability.

Survivors of FERS or CSRS employees can receive benefits even if you lack the required credits for retirement benefits. Basically, if you have 6 credits in the 3 years prior; (or 1 credit for each year after age 21 before) the date benefits are payable.

FERS & CSRS employees with 40 social security credits; CSRS employees are subject to windfall provision (you receive a reduced benefit) and public pension offset (your pension offsets your benefit from your spouse’s social security).

Medicare Coverage

You are eligible at age 65.

You are eligible at age 65.

You are eligible at age 65.

Your spouse is eligible at age 65.

You are eligible at age 65.

Benefits & Retirement Assistance Before and After Your Retirement

yes

yes

yes

yes, assistance is provided, to your survivors, on health and life insurance and retirement annuities.

yes

Disability Retirement

You are eligible to apply for disability retirement after 18 months service for FERS; 60 months service for CSRS employees.

You receive 100% of pay and benefits during the period covered by your accrued, donated, and advanced sick leave & accrued and advanced annual leave & credit hours.

If eligible and approved by OPM, you will receive an annuity based upon your salary and years of service.

n/a

n/a

Thrift Savings Plan (Tax Deferred / Multiple Funds)

You may contribute up to 10% of pre-tax salary plus 5% government match for FERS; contribute up to 5% without gov't matching for CSRS. Choice of funds.

You may contribute up to 10% of pre-tax salary plus 5% government match for FERS; contribute up to 5% without gov't matching for CSRS. Choice of funds.

Immediate distribution, or rollover to IRA, or if you prefer, delayed distribution.

Immediate distribution with option to rollover into an IRA.

Immediate distribution, or rollover to IRA, or if you prefer, delayed distribution.

Continuing Professional Education

yes, for job related training

yes, for job related training

n/a

n/a

if re-employed annuitant

Tuition Assistance

yes, for job related coursework

yes, for job related coursework

n/a

n/a

if re-employed annuitant

Relocation Assistance / Home Purchase Program

yes -- if job related, and it is in the best interest of the gov’t

yes -- if job related, and it is in the best interest of the gov’t

n/a

n/a

n/a

Nationally Accredited, Onsite Childcare Center

yes

yes

n/a

n/a

n/a

Job Security

n/a

n/a

n/a

Job Portability

If on a career appointment, your service, grade, sick leave, annual leave, and retirement are transferable to other government agencies. If you are a FERS employee you also have social security credits. CSRS and FERS employees may elect deferred annuity.

If on a career appointment, your service, grade, sick leave, annual leave, and retirement are transferable to other government agencies. If you are a FERS employee you also have social security credits. CSRS and FERS employees may elect deferred annuity.

if recovered from disability and re-employed -- same as for a full-time employee.

n/a

n/a

Onsite Cafeterias

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

Recreational Activities Employee Activity Association

yes

yes

yes

spouse and dependent children under 22 yrs of age

yes

Onsite Travel Agency

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

CreditUunion

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

Recreation and Fitness Center

yes

yes

yes

spouse and dependent children under 22

yes

Scholarship Programs for Dependents

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

Secure, Safe, Well Maintained Work Environment

yes

yes

n/a

n/a

n/a

Parking

Service Credit for Active Military Service

For leave purposes -- all active military service counts; If you're retired military, only active service during a campaign counts.

For leave purposes -- all active military service counts; If you're retired military, only active service during a campaign counts.

For retirement purposes, military service prior to 1956 counts. For CSRS, military service after 1956 counts if not eligible for social security; or if eligible for social security you must pay deposit. For FERS, post 1956 service requires a deposit.

For survivor annuity, military service prior to 1956 counts. For CSRS, military service after 1956 counts if not eligible for social security; or if eligible for social security you must pay deposit. For FERS, post 1956 service requires a deposit.

For retirement purposes, military service prior to 1956 counts. For CSRS, military service after 1956 counts if not eligible for social security; or if eligible for social security you must pay deposit. For FERS, post '56 service requires a deposit.

Job Satisfaction

You have the opportunity to perform meaningful, productive work that is important to our Nation's space program. You work along-side well trained co-workers who share your sense of dedication to our mission.

You have the opportunity to perform meaningful, productive work that is important to our Nation's space program. You work along-side well trained co-workers who share your sense of dedication to our mission.

You have the knowledge that you participated in making our Nation's history through your dedicated support of NASA and our very successful space program.

Your survivors have the knowledge that you had a meaningful role in making our Nation's history through your dedicated support of NASA and our successful space program.

You have the knowledge that you participated in making our Nation's history through your dedicated support of NASA and our very successful space program.