Planning for civilian retirement takes time
9/17/2004 - RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) -- As the number of retirement-eligible Air Force civilian employees is expected to double by 2009, officials are encouraging them to begin retirement planning early.
Potential retirees are encouraged to obtain an estimate of retirement pay via the Benefits and Entitlements Service Team Web-based employee benefits information system or automated phone system. Information on benefits and planning is also available.
"Employees should contact BEST at least one year before retirement to receive one-on-one counseling over the phone," said Janet Thomas, a human resources specialist at the Air Force Personnel Center here. "Individual employee information is available to BEST benefits counselors who are able to cover issues from health insurance to options for withdrawal of Thrift Savings Plan accounts."
Those ready to retire should submit their retirement applications to BEST 90 to 120 days before the effective date of retirement, Ms. Thomas said.
During the process, the potential retirees receive three letters to keep them updated on the status of their application. The first letter acknowledges receipt of the application, and the second notifies the employee of his or her eligibility to retire. The third letter is notification that the retirement application has been sent to the servicing payroll office.
The final stop for the retirement application is the office of personnel management, where the retirement is finalized and retirement payments are started.
Civilian appropriated-fund employees serviced by BEST can obtain additional information on retirement at www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/dpc/best/retiring.htm.
For more information, BEST benefits counselors are available weekdays 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. CDT. Employees located in the United States can call toll free (800) 616-3775 (press 2, then 2 again, and follow the prompts). Overseas employees can first dial a toll-free direct-access number for the country they are in, then (800) 997-2378.
Hearing-impaired employees can call TDD (800) 382-0893, or commercial (210) 565-2276 if located within the San Antonio area.
Employees located at the Pentagon, air logistics centers and U.S. Air Forces in Europe bases should contact local civilian personnel offices for retirement counseling and processing information. (Courtesy of AFPC News Service) |
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