United States

Office of

Personnel Management

The Federal Government’s Human Resources Agency

Retirement and Insurance Service

Benefits Administration Letter

Number: 99- 107 Date: August 31, 1999

Subject: Retirement Benefits Booklet – Handbook

Purpose This is to provide agencies with the comprehensive handbook attached.

This handbook shows all of the possible information retiring employees

can expect to find in the personalized booklet entitled, Your Federal

Retirement Benefits, which they will receive within 3-4 weeks after OPM

completes processing their retirements.

The first retirees to receive Your Federal Retirement Benefits will be

those placed on OPM’s annuity roll on or after August 30, 1999. OPM

currently has no mechanism for providing booklets to annuitants whose

retirements are completed prior to that date.

Sidney M. Conley

Assistant Director

 for Retirement Programs

Attachment
Attachment

YOUR FEDERAL RETIREMENT BENEFITS

Handbook

This handbook presents all of the possible text which may appear in the personalized booklet, “Your Federal Retirement

Benefits” which OPM will send to every newly retiring Federal employee who retires under a retirement system

administered by OPM. The explanations of the text paragraphs included in this Handbook are designed to help both

OPM retirement personnel and agency personnel answer any questions retired or retiring employees may have

about the retirement benefits booklet.
Attachment 

YOUR FEDERAL RETIREMENT BENEFITS

Dear [FIRST M. LAST]

I am pleased to let you know that we have completed the

process of establishing your retirement benefits.

...To Serve Those Who Have Served... That is what we at OPM's

Retirement and Insurance Service are here to do. Our

mission is to provide you with friendly, efficient, accurate,

and timely benefits.

Your retirement benefits are described in this personalized

booklet. You need to read everything that is here; it all

applies to you. If, after reading it, you still have questions, we

are just a phone call away.

Sidney M. Conley

Assistant Director

Office of Retirement Programs

This introductory page contains uniform language for every booklet. The

retiree’s name appears here as it appears in OPM’s automated retirement

records. The only exceptions to this are:

1. If the annuitant's last name exceeds 11 characters, "Retiree"

appears in place of the name.

2. If the annuitant's first name exceeds 6 characters, "Retiree"

appears in place of the name.

3. If a representative payee is to receive payment on behalf of the

retiree, "Retiree" appears in place of the name.

In these instances, the system cannot reliably reproduce the retiree’s

name and therefore defaults to “Retiree”.

The annuitant’s CSA number appears in the bottom left corner of every

page of the booklet.

Page 1 (unnumbered in booklet) - Explanations -
Attachment 

PERSONAL STATISTICS

This Explanation of Benefits was prepared

as of [Month, X, XXXX]

Name: [FIRST M. LAST]

Civil Service Annuity (CSA) Number: CSA [X XXX XXX]

Social Security Number: [XXX-XX-XXXX]

Date of Birth: [MO/DY/YEAR]

Retirement System: [CSRS/FERS/ORDS/

 FERS Special]

Beginning Date of Benefits: [Commencing Date]

Current Correspondence Address: [Mailing Address]

Direct Deposit, Type of Account: [Checking or Savings]

 Account Number: [XXXXXXXXXX]

 Routing Number: [XXXXXXXXXX]

The amounts shown in this booklet are based upon employment records on

file with us as of [Month X, XXXX] and your retirement

application. If you believe any of this information is incorrect, please

contact us at once. See the chapter "How to Contact Us" in this booklet

for instructions. Please keep this with your personal records for future

reference.

This page shows personal statistics reflecting information in our automated

retirement records system as of the date the booklet was produced. 

Changes sent to OPM after we begin work on the individual’s retirement

may not reach us in time for us to adjust our records before the booklet is

produced.

Annuitants should report significant errors to make sure our information is

up-to-date and correct. They can handwrite corrections in their own

booklets, if they wish, after bringing them to our attention.

OPM does not presently have the capacity to produce updated, corrected

or current booklets for individuals already retired.

Direct Deposit account information only appears if retiree has arranged to

have annuity payments made electronically into his or her savings or

checking account.

Page 2 - Explanations -
Attachment 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PERSONAL STATISTICS Page 2

YOUR MONTHLY BENEFIT Page 4

YOUR BENEFIT COMPUTATION Page 6

SURVIVOR BENEFITS Page 8

HEALTH INSURANCE BENEFITS Page 11

LIFE INSURANCE BENEFITS Page 14

CONTRIBUTIONS AND TAX INFORMATION Page 22

RETROACTIVE BENEFITS EXPLANATION Page 26

HOW TO CONTACT OPM Page 27

INFORMATION FOR DISABILITY RETIREES Page 31

COST OF LIVING, ADJUSTMENTS AND NOTICES Page 33

PAMPHLETS AVAILABLE Page 36

KEEPING YOUR ADDRESS UPDATED Page 39

The Table of Contents page contains the same entries in the same order for

every booklet, with one exception:

“INFORMATION FOR DISABILITY RETIREES” only appears for

disability retirees.

Page numbers for sections listed in the Table of Contents vary from

booklet to booklet depending upon volume of text. Total pages may vary

from 20 to 30 pages. No actual booklet will have as many pages as this

reference document.

Page 3 - Explanations -
Attachment 

YOUR MONTHLY BENEFIT

Monthly Benefit

Your benefits began: [Month XX, XXXX]

Date of first regular monthly payment: [Month XX, XXXX]

Your initial gross monthly retirement benefit is: [$XX,XXX.XX]

That amount changed effective [Month XX, XXXX] to: [$XX,XXX.XX]

Your retirement benefit is payable on the first business day of each

month. Each monthly payment represents benefits for the prior month.

(e.g., the [Month 1, Year] payment is for the month of [Month].

Your Voluntary Contributions Benefit

Your voluntary Contributions were: [$XXX,XXX.XX]

Your additional monthly annuity is: [$X,XXX.XX]

Because you made additional payments to the retirement fund prior

to retirement, you are eligible for this Voluntary Contributions

benefit in addition to your monthly benefit shown above.

This additional voluntary contributions benefit will be paid with

your regular monthly benefit. Your voluntary contributions

annuity is not increased by cost-of-living adjustments. Future

COLA's will be applied only to your regular monthly benefit.

Your FERS Benefit Supplement

Because you retired under [FERS/FERS Special] but are not yet eligible for

Social Security retirement benefits, you will receive a FERS Benefit

Supplement of [$XX,XXX.XX], in addition to your monthly annuity

benefit shown above. The Benefit Supplement will continue until

you become eligible for Social Security, generally at age 62, subject to data

provided in the annual Annuity Supplement Survey.

This is the first of 2 pages describing the retiree’s annuity benefit. 

Only applicable text appears.

The date retirement benefits begin (annuity commencing date),

date of first regular monthly payment and the current amount of

the gross monthly annuity payment, appear for each retiree.

This sentence appears if any change to the gross amount occurs

between the annuity commencing date and final adjudication. 

This paragraph appears for every retiree.

This section appears to explain how the voluntary contributions

annuity works only if additional annuity will be paid to the retiree

based on voluntary contributions.

This section only appears if a FERS benefit supplement is paid,

with “FERS” or “FERS Special” as appropriate.

Page 4 - Explanations -
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YOUR MONTHLY BENEFIT

Monthly Additions And Deductions

The net amount of your first regular payment: [$XX,XXX.XX]

There are no deductions scheduled from your payment at this time.

If the net amount ever changes for any reason, we will send you a Notice of

Annuity Adjustment explaining the change.

Current Gross Monthly Benefit [$XX,XXX.XX]

Less:/Plus:

Health Insurance Premium [-X,XXX.XX]

Basic Life Insurance [-X,XXX.XX]

Voluntary Contributions Annuity [+X,XXX,XX]

FERS Benefit Supplement [+X,XXX,XX]

Net Monthly Benefit [$XX,XXX.XX]

See Retroactive Benefits Explanation for adjustment payment

information.

Please note that although your retirement benefit provides for survivor

benefits, (see Survivor Benefits chapter), you will not see separate monthly

deductions for that coverage. Instead, the cost of the survivor benefit was

factored into the computation of your gross monthly benefit shown above.

As you know, we will be withholding a portion of your monthly

benefit to the extent provided for in the qualifying court order

we received.

This second page of retirement annuity information shows deductions

and additions to the basic annuity.

This sentence appears for every retiree.

This sentence appears only if there are no deductions.

This sentence appears for every retiree.

This section appears if any deductions or additions apply to the first

regular payment. The net should be the actual amount of the first

regular monthly retirement payment. The deductions and additions listed

here are samples of the 68 different deductions and additions that might

appear.

This sentence appears if there is an adjustment payment.

This paragraph appears if there are survivor benefits.

This paragraph appears if there is a court order deduction.

Page 5 - Explanations -
Attachment 

YOUR BENEFIT COMPUTATION

Many factors go into the computation of your monthly benefit. The

following information summarizes the major components of your

benefit computation.

Type Of Computation

You received the regular retirement computation

Average Salary

The "high-3" average salary in your case is: [$XX,XXX.XX]

Your benefit is based, in part, on the highest average salary during

any three year period while you were employed. This three year

period does not always occur in the last three years of employment.

We have ensured that the average salary we computed is the highest

average applicable to your salary history.

Length Of Service

Your benefit is also based, in part, on the amount of Federal service

you performed as an employee. Your retirement records showed the

following:

Military service included in total: [XX Years, XX Months]

Sick leave included: [X,XXX Hours]

Total Federal Service: [XX Years, XX Months]

We convert the sick leave hours to years, months, and days. Then we add

that amount to your other Federal service. Only years and full months are

used in the computation; partial months are not counted. The lesser of the

amount of sick leave you had at retirement, and the amount you had when

you transferred to FERS, was used in your computation.

This page, explaining the type of computation and elements that go into

it, appears for every retiree in this general format.

Except for special retirements we can positively identify on the system:

 disability, Congressional, law enforcement/firefighter, air traffic

controller, deferred, ORDS (non-disability) and FERS Special (nondisability) all other types of retirement are described here as “regular”.

Sick leave line appears only if sick leave is used in computation.

First 2 sentences in this paragraph only appear if sick leave is used in

the computation.

Last sentence appears only for a FERS case in which there is a sick

leave amount in the computation.

Page 6 - Explanations -
Attachment 

YOUR BENEFIT COMPUTATION

Other Significant Factors

Your retirement benefit was reduced because you were under age 55 at the

time of your retirement. The reduction percentage is 1/12 of 2% for each full

month you were under 55.

Your retirement benefit was reduced because you were under age 62 at the

time of your retirement. The reduction percentage is 1/12 of 5% for each full

month you were under 62.

Your computed annuity exceeds the legal maximum of 80% of average

salary. Your annuity will therefore be paid at 80%. See Contributions and

Tax Information chapter.

Your computed annuity exceeds the legal maximum of 70% of average

salary. Your annuity will therefore be paid at 70%. See Contributions and

Tax Information chapter.

We credited your payment of [$XX,XXX.XX] to cover your military service

performed after December 31, 1956. Your payment amount is included in

the retirement contributions shown in the Contributions and Tax Information

chapter. That payment will permit you to continue to receive credit for all of

your military service after you become

eligible for Social Security benefits.

This second Computation page appears if any of the “Other Significant

Factors” paragraphs listed here apply.

ORDS maximum cases only.

Page 7 - Explanations -
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SURVIVOR BENEFITS

In the event of your death, your survivors should call our Retirement

Information Office at 1-888-767-6738. Customers within the

Washington, DC, calling area must call (202) 606-0500.

You elected to provide survivor benefits as follows based

upon [the full amount, half or a portion] of your annuity.

The reduction to provide survivor benefits is made from your basic

annual annuity at retirement. There are no separate monthly deductions

for providing survivor annuities.

Surviving Spouse

Name: [First M. Last]

Social Security Number: [XXX-XX-XXXX]

Date of Birth: [MO/DY/YEAR]

Current Gross Monthly Survivor Annuity: [$XXX.XX]

Former Spouse

Name: [First M. Last]

Social Security Number: [XXX-XX-XXXX]

Date of Birth: [MO/DY/YEAR]

Current Gross Monthly Survivor Annuity: [$XXX.XX]

Insurable Interest

Name: [First M.]

Social Security Number: [XXX-XX-XXXX]

Date of Birth: [MO/DY/YEAR]

Current Gross Monthly Survivor Annuity: [$XXX.XX]

This page, providing survivor annuity information, only appears if the retiree

elected to provide a survivor annuity for a current spouse, former spouse,

and/or an individual designation as an insurable interest. Most often, it appears

for a current spouse annuity.

This line, with the amount of the survivor annuity, only appears for CSRS

or ORDS retirees. A FERS or FERS Special survivor annuity can only be

computed at the time of the retiree’s death.

Page 8 - Explanations -
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SURVIVOR BENEFITS

Surviving Children

Any dependent, unmarried children under age 18 (or disabled children

over 18 if disabled prior to age 18, or full-time students under age 22) would

be eligible for a survivor annuity.

Cost-of-living increases to your annuity will increase the value of your

survivor benefits.

The benefits for which your survivors would be eligible are based upon

the "earned" annuity computation, with service projected to age 62 and

average salary adjusted for cost-of-living increases, and not the minimum

percentage of salary (60% first year, 40% thereafter) paid to you if the

earned annuity is less than the minimum.

The paragraphs presented on this page generally appear below those

shown on page 8 (of this reference guide) on the same page of the

booklet. These paragraphs provide general information on survivor

benefits, including benefits for surviving children.

This paragraph only appears for FERS and FERS Special disability

cases computed at 60% of average salary.

Page 9 - Explanations -
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SURVIVOR BENEFITS

No reduction has been made from your retirement annuity to provide a

survivor annuity benefit. If you believe this to be in error, please contact us

immediately.

In the event of your death, your heirs should call our Retirement Information

Office at 1-888-767-6738. Customers within the Washington, DC, calling

area must call (202) 606-0500

If you are married at retirement, and elected (with your spouse's approval) a

life annuity without provision for survivor benefits, you may, within 18

months of your retirement, reverse this decision by electing survivor benefits

retroactive to your retirement date and paying a deposit to cover the period

between your retirement and your election of survivor benefits.

If you marry after retirement, and want to provide survivor benefits for your

new spouse, you must notify OPM of your election of survivor benefits within

two years of your post-retirement marriage and pay a deposit to cover the

period between your retirement and your election of survivor benefits.

If you marry after retirement, and want to provide survivor benefits for your

new spouse, you must notify OPM of your election of survivor benefits within

one year of your post-retirement marriage and pay a deposit to cover the

period between your retirement and your election of survivor benefits.

Any dependent, unmarried children under age 18 (or disabled children

over 18 if disabled prior to age 18, or full-time students under age 22) would

be eligible for a survivor annuity.

The text on this page appears in place of the text presented on

pages 8-9 if no survivor benefits were elected. This text confirms

the election and provides information on surviving children benefits as

well as post-retirement elections and marriages.

CSRS, FERS and FERS Special.

ORDS.

Page 10 - Explanations -
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HEALTH INSURANCE BENEFITS

Your Federal Employees Health Benefits coverage is described below:

Your plan name: [XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX]

[Self-Only or Self-And-Family]

Enrollment code: [XXX]

 Your cost each month: [XX.XX]

 Government share: [XXX.XX]

Total cost: [XXX.XX]

Other Information

Self Only

You are enrolled under a Self Only plan. You can only change to Self and

Family under special circumstances such as: the birth or

adoption of a child, a change in marital status, or an open season.

Self and Family

You are enrolled under a Self and Family plan. You may change to

Self Only at any time. However, if you switch to Self Only, you can

only change back to Self and Family under special circumstances such

as: the birth or adoption of a child, a change in marital status, or an

open season. Family members who lose coverage under your plan

(i.e., a non-disabled, dependent child who reaches age 22) may qualify

for Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC) for up to 36

months. Under TCC, the covered individual must pay the full cost

of coverage (individual and government share), plus an administrative

fee of 2%.

This page appears if the retiree carries health benefits into retirement. 

Plan and type of coverage are as of the date the booklet is printed.

This paragraph only appears if the coverage is for the retiree only.

This paragraph appears if coverage is for the retiree and qualified family

members.

Page 11 - Explanations -
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HEALTH INSURANCE BENEFITS

 Medicare

For retirees, Medicare is the primary health benefits provider for

most eligible individuals age 65 and over. When you reach age

65, you should contact your local Social Security office or call

the toll-free number under "Other Useful Numbers" in the chapter

on "How To Contact OPM" to obtain Medicare information.

 Medicare

For retirees, Medicare is the primary health benefits provider for

most eligible individuals age 65 and over. If you are not currently

enrolled in Medicare as your primary provider, you may wish to

either contact your local Social Security office or call the toll-free

number under "Other Useful Numbers" in the chapter on "How To

Contact OPM" to obtain Medicare information.

Health Benefits Open Season

Once a year, we hold a Health Benefits Open Season during which

you can change plans, or switch from Self Only to Self and Family.

We will provide information prior to the beginning of Open Season.

This text is a continuation of the text on the prior page. In most booklets,

the Medicare paragraph appears as a second paragraph under “Other

Information” on the first HEALTH INSURANCE BENEFITS page. In

some booklets, the Open Season paragraph immediately follows the

Medicare paragraph and all health benefit information is on the same page.

 In other booklets, the Open Season paragraph is on a separate page.

This paragraph appears if retiree is under age 65.

This paragraph appears if retiree is age 65 or older.

Page 12 - Explanations -
Attachment 

 HEALTH INSURANCE BENEFITS

No premiums have been withheld from your retirement annuity to

provide health benefits. If you believe this to be in error, please contact us

immediately.

Federal retirees are not generally eligible to enroll in an FEHB plan if

they:

1. retire on a deferred annuity, or,

2. were not enrolled in FEHB as an employee at the time of

retirement, or,

3. were not enrolled in FEHB for the last five years of

employment or since their first opportunity to enroll.

If you are enrolled in FEHB, but your annuity is insufficient to

cover your premiums, you may pay the premiums by direct pay.

The text on this page appears in place of the text presented on

pages 11-12 if no health benefit premiums were withheld from the

retiree’s annuity. This text confirms that health benefit premiums

were not withheld, describing the most common reasons, i.e., that

health benefits were not carried into retirement. It also lets the retiree

know that we are aware of the other possibility (that they may be

paying premiums directly if the net annuity amount is too low to cover

the premiums) even though we have no way to determine that from

our systems, or indicate it in the booklet.

All paragraphs appear if the page appears.

Page 13 - Explanations -
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LIFE INSURANCE BENEFITS

Your life insurance coverage under the Federal Employees' Group Life

Insurance Program, is based on your coverage at the time of separation, your

final salary, and elections at retirement. You cannot carry any coverage into

retirement that you have not had continuously since your earliest opportunity

to elect, or for 5 years immediately preceding retirement, whichever is

shorter.

Basic Life Insurance - Your Basic Life insurance amount at retirement is

[$XX,XXX]. This is the result of taking your final salary, rounded to the

next thousand (if it is not an even thousand), and adding $2,000.

Because you are under age 45, your Basic Life insurance amount is

multiplied by a factor based on your age to obtain the current amount

payable under your Basic Life insurance coverage. The current amount

payable is [$XX,XXX]. The multiplication factor reduces by 10% per year

from age 36 to age 45, at which time the amount payable will equal the Basic

Life insurance amount.

You elected a 75% reduction schedule for your Basic Life insurance.

This means the amount payable on your Basic Life insurance begins

to reduce by 2 percent per month beginning [Month, Year], until it reaches

25% of face value. There is no cost for this coverage.

You elected a 75% reduction schedule for your Basic Life insurance.

This means the amount payable on your Basic Life insurance begins

to reduce by 2 percent per month beginning the second month after

you attain age 65, until it reaches 25% of face value. Your cost for

this coverage reduces to zero at age 65.

Two to four pages of life insurance information appear for every retiree

who carries life insurance into retirement as indicated in our automated

records system. A wide variety of different paragraphs appear for

different circumstances and coverages.

This first paragraph appears for all retirees whose coverage into

retirement is indicated in the automated system.

The “Basic Life Insurance” paragraph will be generated for any retiree

who carries Basic coverage into retirement.

This paragraph only appears if the retiree is under age 45 at the time of

retirement.

A retiree who carries life insurance coverage into retirement must elect

at the time of retirement whether to have Basic coverage reduce after

retirement or age 65 (whichever is later) 75% (2% per month until it

reaches 25% of the computed Basic amount), 50% (1% per month until

it reaches 50%), or not to reduce at all. If he or she elects 75%

reduction, the appropriate “You elected a 75% reduction schedule”

paragraph will appear depending on whether the retiree is age 65 or

over (first paragraph), or under age 65 (second paragraph).

Page 14 - Explanations -
Attachment 

LIFE INSURANCE BENEFITS

You elected a 50% reduction schedule for your Basic Life insurance. This

means the amount payable on your Basic Life insurance begins to reduce by

1 percent per month beginning [Month, Year], until it reaches 50% of

face value. Your cost for this coverage is [$XX.XX] per month. Premiums will

continue for life unless you cancel coverage or switch to a 75% reduction

schedule. Premium amounts may change in the future. No premiums will be

refunded if you change your reduction schedule or cancel your insurance.

You elected a 50% reduction schedule for your Basic Life insurance. This

means the amount payable on your Basic Life insurance begins to reduce by

1 percent per month beginning the second month after you attain age 65,

until it reaches 50% of face value. Your cost for this coverage reduces by

[$XX.XX] at age 65, and then premiums will continue for life unless you cancel

coverage or switch to a 75% reduction schedule. Premium amounts may change

in the future. No premiums will be refunded if you change your reduction

schedule or cancel your insurance.

You elected No Reduction for your Basic Life insurance. This means the

amount payable on your Basic Life insurance will not reduce throughout

your retirement. Your cost for this coverage is [$XX.XX] per month. 

Premiums will continue for life unless you cancel coverage or switch to a 75%

reduction schedule. Premium amounts may change in the future. No premiums

will be refunded if you change your reduction schedule or cancel your insurance.

You elected No Reduction for your Basic Life insurance. This means the

amount payable on your Basic Life insurance does not reduce when you

attain age 65. Your cost for this coverage does, however, reduce by [$XX.XX]

at age 65. Premiums will continue for life unless you cancel coverage or switch

to a 75% reduction schedule. Premium amounts may change in the future. No

premiums will be refunded if you change your reduction schedule or cancel your

insurance.

If the retiree elects 50% reduction, the appropriate “You elected a

50% reduction schedule” paragraph will appear depending on

whether the retiree is age 65 or over (first paragraph), or under age

65 (second paragraph).

If the retiree elects no reduction, the appropriate “You elected a No

Reduction schedule” paragraph will appear depending on whether

the retiree is age 65 or over (first paragraph), or under age 65

(second paragraph)..

Page 15 - Explanations -
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LIFE INSURANCE BENEFITS

Standard Life Insurance (Option A) - Your Standard Life

insurance amount at retirement is $10,000. This is the normal

amount for this type of coverage. The amount payable on your

Standard Life insurance begins to reduce by 2 percent per

month beginning [Month, Year], until it reaches $2,500. There

is no cost for this coverage.

Standard Life Insurance (Option A) - Your Standard Life

insurance amount at retirement is $10,000. This is the normal

amount for this type of coverage. The amount payable on your

Standard Life insurance begins to reduce by 2 percent per

month beginning the second month after you attain age 65, until

it reaches $2,500. Your cost for this coverage reduces to zero

at age 65.

Additional Life Insurance (Option B) – Your Additional Life insurance

amount at retirement is [$XXX,XXX]. This is the result of taking your final

salary, rounded to the next thousand (if it is not an even thousand), and

multiplying by the number of multiples [X] you carried into retirement.

Because you elected Full Reduction for your Option B coverage,

the amount payable on your Additional Life insurance will begin to

reduce by 2 percent per month beginning [Month, Year], until it

reaches zero. Your cost for this coverage is zero.

Because you elected Full Reduction for your Option B coverage,

the amount payable on your Additional Life insurance will begin to

reduce by 2 percent per month beginning the second month after you

attain age 65, until it reaches zero. Your cost for this coverage

will reduce to zero at age 65.

For a retiree carries Option A life insurance into retirement, the

appropriate “Standard Life . . .” paragraph appears on the first life

insurance page under the “You elected . . .” paragraph, depending

on whether the retiree is age 65 or over (first paragraph), or under

age 65 (second paragraph).

For a retiree who carries Option B life insurance into retirement, the

“Additional Life . . .” paragraph will follow the “Standard Life . . .”

paragraph (if there is one) under the “You elected . . .” paragraph

on the first life insurance page. The appropriate “Because you

elected . . .” paragraph below follows.

Full Reduction elected at retirement for Option B, age 65 or over.

Full Reduction elected at retirement for Option B, under age 65.

Page 16 - Explanations -
Attachment 

LIFE INSURANCE BENEFITS

Because you elected No Reduction for your Option B coverage,

the amount payable on your Additional Life insurance will not reduce

throughout your retirement. Premiums will continue for life, unless

you cancel coverage or switch to a Full Reduction schedule. No

premiums will be refunded if you change your reduction schedule

or cancel your insurance.

Family Life Insurance (Option C) - Your Family Life insurance

amounts at retirement are [$XX,XXX] of coverage for your spouse and

[$XX,XXX] for each eligible child. This is the result of taking the

minimum amounts ($5,000 and $2,500, respectively), and multiplying

by the number of multiples [X] you carried into retirement.

Because you elected Full Reduction for your Option C coverage,

the amount payable on your Additional Life insurance will begin to

reduce by 2 percent per month beginning [Month, Year], until it

reaches zero. Your cost for this coverage is zero.

Because you elected Full Reduction for your Option C coverage,

the amount payable on your Additional Life insurance will begin to

reduce by 2 percent per month beginning the second month after you

attain age 65, until it reaches zero. Your cost for this coverage

will reduce to zero at age 65.

Because you elected No Reduction for your Option C coverage,

the amount payable on your Additional Life insurance will not reduce

throughout your retirement. Premiums will continue for life, unless

you cancel coverage or switch to a Full Reduction schedule. No

premiums will be refunded if you change your reduction schedule

or cancel your insurance.

No Reduction elected at retirement for Option B.

For a retiree who carries Option C life insurance into retirement, the 

“Family Life . . .” paragraph follows the “Additional Life . . .” paragraph

and/or the “Standard Life . . .” paragraph (if any) under the “You elected

. . .” paragraph on the first or second life insurance page. . The

appropriate “Because you elected . . .” paragraph below follows.

Full Reduction elected at retirement for Option C, age 65 or over.

Full Reduction elected at retirement for Option C, under age 65.

No Reduction elected at retirement for Option C.

Page 17 - Explanations -
Attachment 

LIFE INSURANCE BENEFITS

The monthly costs of optional coverage vary with age, as follows and are

subject to change in the future:

Standard Additional Family

($10,000) (per $1,000) (per multiple)

Under 35 $ .65 $.065 $.59

35-39 $ .87 $.087 $.74

40-44 $1.30 $.130 $1.00

45-49 $1.95 $.217 $1.30

50-54 $3.03 $.325 $1.95

55-59 $5.85 $.672 $3.14

60+* $13.00 $1.517 $5.63

* Optional coverage is free as of the date of retirement, or the month after you turn

age 65, whichever is later, unless No Reduction is elected for Additional (Option B)

or Family (Option C). Option C premiums increase (to $6.50 per multiple for ages

65-69 and $7.37 per multiple for ages 70 and over) with the 6/1/2000 annuity

payment.

Living Benefits

If you become afflicted with a terminal illness (prognosis 9 months or less

to live), you may apply for and receive a Living Benefit payment equal to

what your Basic life insurance amount will be 9 months after the date of

payment, reduced by a nominal amount to make up for lost earnings to the

Life Insurance fund. Once you receive a Living Benefit payment and cash

or deposit the check, the election is irrevocable. A Living Benefit election

has no effect on any Optional coverage held. If you assign your life

insurance prior to receiving a Living Benefit, neither you nor the assignee

may elect a Living Benefit.

This table appears, on the first or second life insurance page, if there

is any Optional (A, B, or C) insurance.

This paragraph appears for most retirees, generally on the 2nd or 3rd

life insurance page informing them of their right to apply for a Living

Benefit if they become terminally ill.

Page 18 - Explanations -
Attachment 

LIFE INSURANCE BENEFITS

Living Benefits

According to the information we received with your application for retirement, you

have received a Living Benefits payment. This means your Basic life insurance

amount has been reduced to [X]. Your Basic coverage is frozen at this amount. 

The No Reduction election is required, unless you cancel your life insurance

coverage altogether. As of October 17, 1997, you may still assign your remaining

coverage, if any, other than Option C.

Assignment

You may assign your life insurance at any time. Assignment means you

transfer ownership of your life insurance to someone else, but you continue

to be responsible for payment of premiums. An assignment applies to all

coverages held (Basic and Options), except Option C, Family, which cannot

be assigned. Once you assign your life insurance, you give up the right to

designate a beneficiary, or to reduce, cancel or convert your coverage (except for

the initial Reduction Schedule election, which you still get to make at retirement). 

Also, if you assign your life insurance, neither you nor the assignee may then apply

for or receive a Living Benefit based on your coverage.

Assignment

According to the information we received with your application for retirement, you

have assigned your life insurance. Assignment means you transferred ownership of

your life insurance to someone else, but you continue to be responsible for payment

of premiums. It applies to all coverage you hold (Basic and Options), except

Option C, Family, which cannot be assigned. In assigning your life insurance, you

gave up the right to designate a beneficiary, or to reduce, cancel or convert your

coverage, after the initial Reduction Schedule election at retirement. Because you

assigned your life insurance, neither you nor the assignee may apply for or receive a

Living Benefit based on your coverage.

This paragraph appears in place of the one on the prior page if

the retiree already received a Living Benefit as an employee.

The 3rd & 4th sentences appear only if a partial Living Benefit

was received as an employee.

This paragraph appears for most retirees, generally on the 2nd or

3

rd life insurance page after the Living Benefit paragraph,

informing them of their right to assign their coverage.

This paragraph appears in place of the “Assignment” paragraph

above if life insurance has been assigned.

Page 19 - Explanations -
Attachment 

LIFE INSURANCE BENEFITS

Other Information

Unless you assign your life insurance, you can cancel all of your coverage,

or any one of the Options (A, B or C), or reduce the number of multiples

under Option B or C at any time. Any cancellation or reduction

must be in writing, and is irreversible once in effect. If you cancel Basic,

any Optional coverage you have is also canceled. You cannot increase your

coverage after retirement, or reinstate any coverage previously canceled. If

you elected 50% Reduction or No Reduction, you can change to 75%

Reduction, but not the other way around (you also cannot switch from No

Reduction to 50% Reduction, or the other way around). Also, the

Accidental Death and Dismemberment coverage you had automatically as

an employee ended at retirement.

This paragraph appears for all retirees with life insurance

coverage carried into retirement indicated in the automated

system.

Page 20 - Explanations -
Attachment 

LIFE INSURANCE BENEFITS

No premiums have been withheld from your retirement annuity to

provide life insurance coverage. If you believe this to be in error, please

contact us immediately.

Federal retirees are not generally eligible to enroll in an FEGLI plan if

they:

1. retire on a deferred annuity, or,

2. were not enrolled in FEGLI as an employee at the time of

retirement, or,

3. were not enrolled in FEGLI for the last five years of

employment or since their first opportunity to enroll.

If you are enrolled in FEGLI, but your annuity is insufficient to

cover your premiums, you may pay the premiums by direct pay.

The text on this page appears in place of the text presented on

pages 14-20 if no life insurance benefits are indicated on OPM’s

automated annuity roll. This text confirms that life insurance

premiums were not withheld, describing the most common reasons,

i.e., that life insurance was not carried into retirement. It also lets the

retiree know that we are aware of the other possibility, that they may

be paying premiums directly if the net annuity amount is too low to

cover the premiums (FERS only prior to 10/30/98), even though we

have no way to determine that from our systems, or indicate it in the

booklet.

Page 21 - Explanations -
Attachment 

CONTRIBUTIONS AND TAX INFORMATION

Your Retirement Contributions

The amount of retirement contributions to your credit is [$XX,XXX.XX]. This

amount includes the deposit you made to cover your military service after

December 31, 1956.

If the total amount of retirement benefits paid to you (and any survivors

eligible for monthly benefits) is less than the amount of your retirement

contributions plus any applicable interest, the difference will be paid to

your survivors or estate as a lump sum. Once you (and any survivors

receiving monthly benefits) receive gross monthly benefits that exceed your

contributions, there are no more contributions in your account, and no

lump sum payment is made. You continue, however, to receive your

monthly annuity even when your benefits paid exceed your contributions.

Recovering an amount equal to your retirement contributions for tax

purposes is treated differently, and is discussed on the following page.

Because your annuity was limited to 80% of your average salary (see "Other

Significant Factors" in the chapter entitled "Your Benefit Computation"), you are

due a refund of the contributions taken from your salary during the portion of your

Federal service not needed to produce the maximum amount payable. The refunded

contributions [$XX,XXX.XX], included in the retroactive amount

due you (see Retroactive Benefits Explanation chapter), are not included in the

amount shown above, and are a tax-free amount. We also paid you

[$XX,XXX.XX] as interest on these excess contributions. You should request IRS

Publication 721, Guide to U.S. Civil Service Retirement Benefits, for information on

the tax treatment of this interest. We rolled over the interest on your excess

contributions into your IRA as you requested.

This is the first of three pages which appear in every retiree’s

booklet providing retirement contribution and tax information.

“Your Retirement Contributions” section appears in every

booklet.

Second sentence appears if a military deposit was paid.

This paragraph and the next appear in every booklet.

This paragraph appears if an 80% excess contributions refund is

included in the retroactive payment. Same paragraph appears

for ORDS maximum cases with excess contributions refund

with “70%” in place of “80%”.

The two sentences starting with “We also paid . . .” appear if

interest is paid.

Last sentence appears if interest is rolled over.

Page 22 - Explanations -
Attachment 

CONTRIBUTIONS AND TAX INFORMATION

You are due a refund of excess contributions to the retirement fund. The

refunded contributions [$XX,XXX.XX], included in the retroactive amount due

you (see Retroactive Benefits Explanation chapter), are not included in the

amount shown above, and are a tax-free amount. We also paid you X,XXX.XX

as interest on these excess contributions. You should request IRS Publication

721, Guide to U.S. Civil Service Retirement Benefits, for information on the tax

treatment of this interest. We rolled over the interest on your excess

contributions into your IRA as you requested.

Federal Income Tax

Your retirement benefit is subject to Federal income tax.

Because you already paid Federal income tax on your retirement

Contributions, you are entitled to receive an amount equal to those

Contributions as tax-free income. Under the IRS Simplified General Rule,

a portion of each monthly payment is tax-free, and represents the recovery

of your previously taxed contributions. The remaining portion of each monthly

payment is fully taxable. You continue to claim this tax-free

amount until the total tax-free amounts claimed equal your retirement

contributions. At that time, all of your benefit becomes taxable.

Under the Simplified General Rule, [$X,XXX.XX] of each monthly

Payment is tax-free. You can claim this monthly tax-free amount

until the total tax-free benefit claimed equals your retirement

contributions.

To compute the monthly tax-free amount, you should ask the

Internal Revenue Service for their Publication 721, "Tax Guide

to U.S. Civil Service Benefits".

This paragraph appears in place of the, “Because your annuity . .

paragraph on the prior page if an excess contributions (or voluntary

contributions) refund is due and it is not an 80% case (i.e., not a

regular retirement in which retirement contributions withheld are in

excess of the amount needed to provide the maximum retirement

benefit of 80% of average salary). The two sentences starting with

“We also paid . . .” only appear if interest is paid. Last sentence

appears if interest is rolled over.

The “Federal Income Tax” section appears on the second

“CONTRIBUTIONS AND TAX INFORMATION” page.

This paragraph appears for all non-disability retirements.

This paragraph appears for most non-disability retirements, only

exception is if a former spouse or insurable interest is indicated.

This paragraph replaces prior paragraph for non-disability

retirement if a former spouse or insurable interest is indicated.

Page 23 - Explanations -
Attachment 

CONTRIBUTIONS AND TAX INFORMATION

Federal Income Tax

Disability retirement benefits are fully taxable until the retiree reaches

the age at which he or she could have first retired on a nondisability

retirement. This is called the "Minimum Retirement Age" by the IRS.

Once a disability retiree reaches the Minimum Retirement Age, he or she

can begin to claim a tax-free amount each month. For instructions on

computing the tax-free amount at Minimum Retirement Age, see IRS

Publication 721, "Tax Guide to U.S. Civil Service Benefits".

Federal Income Tax Withholding

Your retirement benefit is subject to Federal income tax withholding.

We are withholding Federal income tax at the rate applicable to a [married/single]

individual claiming [##] withholding allowances. This withholding rate

results in a monthly deduction of [$XX,XXX.XX].

Because you have not provided us with Federal income tax withholding instructions,

we are required to withhold Federal tax at the rate applicable to a married person

claiming three withholding allowances. If you want to change your withholding

election you can do so through our automated telephone system (see chapter on "How

To Contact OPM"). This automatic withholding rate results in no Federal income tax

deduction from your retirement benefit. YOU MAY OWE FEDERAL INCOME

TAX on your retirement benefit, and should contact the IRS to see if you should ask

us to withhold Federal income tax.

You can start, stop, or change your Federal income tax withholding at

any time by calling our automated telephone system. See chapter on

"How To Contact OPM" for detailed instructions.

For disability retirements, these two paragraphs appear in the

“Federal Income Tax” section on the second

“CONTRIBUTIONS AND TAX INFORMATION” page.

“Federal Income Tax Withholding” section generally follows

“Federal Income Tax” section on the second

“CONTRIBUTIONS AND TAX INFORMATION” page.

This paragraph appears for most retirees (W4 on file).

This paragraph appears if no W4 is on file.

Last 2 sentences appear if automatic withhold rate results in

no tax withholding.

This paragraph appears for all retirees.

Page 24 - Explanations -
Attachment 

CONTRIBUTIONS AND TAX INFORMATION

Useful IRS Publications

You may find the following IRS Federal income tax publication useful in

answering your Federal tax questions:

IRS Publication 721 Tax Guide to U.S. Civil Service

Retirement Benefits

To ask for this and other publications, you can call the IRS at

1-800-829-3676.

State Income Tax

We cannot provide specific information on the tax treatment of your

retirement benefits for state tax purposes. You should contact your state

tax office for further assistance.

We can, however, withhold [State]

income tax from your retirement benefit. You will need to provide us with

the specific dollar amount you want withheld each month. To start, stop,

or change your state income tax withholding, call our toll-free automated

telephone line at 1-888-767-6738. See chapter on "How To Contact OPM"

for detailed instructions.

These two sections follow “Federal Income Tax Withholding” on the

second or third, “CONTRIBUTIONS AND TAX INFORMATION”

page of every booklet.

This paragraph only appears if the retiree lives in a state which

participates in state income tax withholding.

Page 25 - Explanations -
Attachment 

RETROACTIVE BENEFITS EXPLANATION

Adjustment Payment Information

You are due a net retroactive payment of [$XX,XXX.XX].

That amount represents the difference between the interim

payments already made to you, and the full amount you were

due. The following explains the computation of this adjustment

payment.

Gross Benefits due from [Commencing date] through [ending

date of adjustment payment]: [ $XXX,XXX.XX]

Less:/Plus:

Health Insurance Premiums [ - $XX,XXX.XX]

FERS Annuity Supplement [ +$XX,XXX.XX]

Gross Interim Pay [ - $XX,XXX.XX]

Refund of Excess Contributions [ +$XX,XXX.XX]

Net adjustment due you [$XX,XXX.XX]

A direct deposit payment in that amount has been sent to your

financial institution.

This amount due you will be paid in a separate check which you

should receive shortly.

The amount of interim payments made to you exceeds the amount 

which you were due at your final rate. We will begin your

monthly benefit as described in the Chapter "Your Monthly

Benefit". We will be contacting you shortly with more information

on how we intend to recover the excess amount paid to you.

This page, explaining the retroactive adjustment payment, provides the

same general information for every retiree, if (as is generally the case)

an adjustment payment is due.

These are examples of some of the deductions and additions that may

appear here. If there are no deductions or additions, the “Less:/Plus:”

line does not appear.

This sentence appears if the retiree is signed up to receive payment by

direct deposit.

This sentence appears if a check payment is required.

This paragraph appears if interim payments exceed net annuity amount

due for the interim payment period.

Page 26 - Explanations -
Attachment 

HOW TO CONTACT OPM

Calling About Your Retirement

You may call our

Retirement Information Office at: 1-88 US OPM RET

(1-888-767-6738) or

1-800-878-5707 (TDD)*

Customers within the Washington, DC,

calling area must call: (202) 606-0500

We are committed to providing you with the best customer service possible. 

When you call us at the number shown above, you will be greeted by an

automatic answering system which will guide you through a menu listing

the topics our customers call about most frequently.

*Telecommunications Device for the Deaf

Using The Automated System

To use this system's automated features, you will need your retirement

claim number and your personal identification number. Although the

automated system is available to you, you have the option of talking to a

Customer Service Specialist.

If you call on a rotary telephone, you will not be able to use the automated

features. However, you can stay on the line, and your call will be sent to

a Customer Service Specialist.

The automated system is available seven days a week. Customer Service

Specialists are available from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm Eastern time, Monday

through Friday. They are not available on Federal holidays.

This first, “HOW TO CONTACT OPM” page is the same for all

retirees.

The 888 & 800 numbers provide toll-free service for domestic calls

from outside the Washington, DC, metropolitan area.

The 202 number is best for local and international calls.

Page 27 - Explanations -
Attachment 

HOW TO CONTACT OPM

What You Can Do By Telephone

Almost all of the business you will ever need to conduct with us should be

done over the telephone. Below is a sample of the many things that can

easily be processed based on your call:

* Report a lost or missing payment.

* Sign up for direct deposit, or change your address.

* Start, stop, or change your Federal income tax withholding.

* Start, stop, or change your state tax withholding.

* Sign up for or change a U.S. Savings bond allotment.

* Make a health benefits open season change.

We continue to add features to our automated system to make it easier for

you to take actions for yourself instead of having to wait for us to act. If

you need to contact us, call first; in most cases, the telephone call will be all

we need.

Contacting Us On The Internet

Our Internet address is: http://www.opm.gov/retire/

We provide retirement information and assistance on the Internet. You

will find retirement brochures, forms, and other information at this site.

You can also make changes to your payments through our web site. To do so,

you will need a Personal Identification Number which we will send shortly.

This second, “HOW TO CONTACT OPM” page is the same for all

retirees.

Page 28 - Explanations -
Attachment 

HOW TO CONTACT OPM

Contacting Us In Writing

We are arranging to handle more and more retirement business based on

telephone calls from our customers. This is because there are many things you

can do for yourself without assistance. More importantly, most of the business

you will ever need to conduct with us can be done by telephone without the

need to write.

If you need to write, our mailing address for general

correspondence is:

U.S. Office of Personnel Management

Retirement Operations Center

Post Office Box 45

Boyers, PA 16017-0045

Visiting Us In Person

You are also welcome to visit us in person. Our Retirement Information

Office is located at:

U.S. Office of Personnel Management

Central Retirement Information Office

Room 1323

1900 E Street NW

Washington, DC 20415

You will need to bring some form of identification to enter the building.

The "Contact Us In Writing" section appears only if the

correspondence/payment address is outside of the U.S. so as to

encourage annuitants residing in the U.S. to make their inquiries by

telephone.

This section appears on the third, “HOW TO CONTACT OPM” page

of every booklet.

Page 29 - Explanations -
Attachment 

HOW TO CONTACT OPM

Other Useful Telephone Numbers

In addition to contacting OPM, you may also need to contact the

following Federal agencies:

Thrift Savings Plan: (504) 255-8777 (ThriftLine)

(504) 255-6000 (Information)

(504) 255-5113 (TDD)

Social Security Administration: 1-(800) 772-1213

1-(800) 325-0778 (TDD)

Internal Revenue Service: 1-(800) 829-1040 (General Tax)

1-(800) 829-3676 (Publications

 and Forms)

This section appears on the third or fourth, “HOW TO CONTACT

OPM” page of every booklet.

Page 30 - Explanations -
Attachment 

INFORMATION FOR DISABILITY RETIREES

Periodic Reevaluations

Until you reach age 60, OPM may require periodic reevaluations of your

medical condition. You pay the cost of obtaining medical information

we need for a reevaluation. After you reach age 60, reevaluations will

only occur at your request.

Recovery Or Restoration To Earning Capacity

If, prior to age 60, you recover from your disability or your earning

capacity is restored, your annuity payments will stop at the earliest of:

The date you are reemployed in the Federal service.

One year from the date of the medical examination showing

recovery.

Six months from the end of the calendar year in which your

earning capacity is restored (i.e., any calendar year in which your

earnings from wages and self-employment equal at least 80% of

the current salary rate of the position from which you retired).

The annual Disability Earnings Survey will verify whether you

have reached the 80% limit.

After you reach age 60, your annuity payments will only stop based

upon a reevaluation of your situation conducted at your request.

Federal Income Tax

See Contributions and Tax Information chapter for special

information on the taxability of disability annuity payments.

This page only appears for disability retirements.

The “Periodic Reevaluations” and “Recovery Or Restoration To

Earning Capacity” sections appear if the disability retiree is under age

60.

For ORDS disability cases, the sentence, “You pay the cost of

obtaining medical information we need for a reevaluation.” is deleted.

Paragraph appears for all disability annuitants.

Page 31 - Explanations -
Attachment 

INFORMATION FOR DISABILITY RETIREES

Reevaluations

Because you are already age 60 or older at the time of retirement,

your annuity payments will only stop based upon a reevaluation

of your situation conducted at your request.

If the disability annuitant is age 60 or older, this section appears in

place of the “Periodic Reevaluations” and “Recovery Or Restoration

To Earning Capacity” sections shown on prior page.

Page 32 - Explanations -
Attachment 

COST OF LIVING, ADJUSTMENTS AND NOTICES

COLA Increases

We will periodically increase your annuity based on Cost of Living

Adjustments (COLA's) provided by law. Shortly before you receive your

New payment amount, we will send you a Notice of Annuity Adjustment

Showing the payment change.

The first COLA you receive will be prorated based on how many months you

Were retired during the period covered by the COLA. If you receive a

Prorated COLA, we will tell you at that time what portion you received. You

Will then be eligible for the full amount of any subsequent COLA.

The COLA that you received effective [Month XX, XXXX], was prorated

according to retirement law. You will receive the full amount of any future

COLA's.

The Federal Employees Retirement System provides for Cost of Living

Adjustments upon reaching age 62.

Your monthly benefit is made up of a Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS)

component, and a Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) component. 

The COLA's given under each of these two retirement systems are not the same.

Your monthly benefit is made up of a Organization Retirement and Disability

System (ORDS) component, and a Federal Employees Retirement System Special

(FERS Special) component. The COLA's given under each of these two

retirement systems are not the same.

Your monthly benefit is made up of a Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS)

component, and a Federal Employees Retirement System Special (FERS Special)

component. The COLA's given under each of these two retirement systems are

not the same.

This is the first of two pages which appear with a variety of

paragraphs describing cost-of-living adjustments, other

adjustments, and notices sent to annuitants.

This paragraph appears for every annuitant. One of the following

paragraphs will also appear for most retirements.

This paragraph appears if COLA'S are immediately applicable and

no COLA was effective between the commencing date and the

issue date.

This paragraph appears if one COLA (but not more than one) was

effective after the commencing date, but before the issue date.

This paragraph appears if no COLA is immediately applicable

(non-disability FERS only).

This paragraph appears for a FERS case with a CSRS component.

This paragraph appears for a FERS Special case with an ORDS

component.

This paragraph appears for a FERS Special case with a CSRS

component.

Page 33 - Explanations -
Attachment 

COST OF LIVING, ADJUSTMENTS AND NOTICES

Your FERS Disability annuity is, for the first year, computed at 60% of

Your average salary minus 100% of any Social Security Disability Benefits

You receive for the same period, and 40% of average salary minus 60%

of Social Security benefits thereafter. COLA's do not apply to this type

of annuity for the first year. However, the first COLA that does apply (at

least twelve months after your retirement date) will be a full COLA,

because you will have been retired at least a full year at that point.

Future Check Adjustments

Your health insurance premium can change each year, effective

January 1. Any change in premiums will appear in your February 1

Payment, which represents your annuity and insurance premium

Deduction for the month of January.

If your spouse dies before you do, we will recompute your annuity to

Eliminate the reduction we made to provide for the survivor benefit.

You should contact us if this is necessary.

When you turn 62, we will recompute your benefit to eliminate the military

service you performed after December 31, 1956, if at that time you are eligible

for Social Security benefits (even if you do not apply for them).

When you turn 62, we will recompute your benefit as an "earned"

Annuity as if you had worked until age 62, with all applicable salary

Increases. Unlike the disability annuity, this "earned" annuity will not

be reduced by any Social Security benefits you receive.

The premiums you pay for your life insurance depend on your age. The

premiums we have already described will continue until you turn age [XX].

As your various monthly deductions change for any reason, we will

Send you a Notice of Annuity Adjustment explaining the change.

This paragraph appears for FERS or FERS Special disability cases computed at 60%

of average salary.

This section appears after the “COLA Increases” section, if any of

these paragraphs apply.

This paragraph appears if there are HB deductions.

This paragraph appears if survivor benefits were elected.

This paragraph appears if the retiree is under age 62 and post-56

military service, for which no deposit was paid, was used in

computing the annuity.

This paragraph appears for a FERS or FERS Special disability

annuity computed at 60% of average salary.

This paragraph appears if life insurance is present, and retiree is

under age 65. Life insurance costs change at 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60

and 65.

This paragraph appears if there are any deductions from the

annuity.

Page 34 - Explanations -
Attachment 

COST OF LIVING, ADJUSTMENTS AND NOTICES

Other OPM Notices

Each October, we will send you information about the upcoming Health

Insurance Open Season (see Health Benefits chapter). That material will

explain what kind of changes you can make in your coverage, what your

new premiums will be, and if you do make a change in coverage, we will

send you a confirmation that the change has been made.

By the end of each January, we will send you a form 1099R, Statement

of Annuity Paid. This statement will report how much you received from

OPM, any Federal and state taxes withheld, and should be used to file

your tax return(s). If you do not receive the statement, please call our Retirement

Information Office at: (1-888-767-6738). Customers within the Washington, DC,

calling area must call: (202) 606-0500

Each time we update your address (either your direct deposit

information, or your correspondence address), we will send you a

confirmation of that change and let you know which will be the first

payment to go to the new address, if applicable.

We have recently sent you an Identification Card, to keep as a

permanent record of your retirement claim number.

This section generally follows “Future Check Adjustments” on the

second “COST OF LIVING, ADJUSTMENTS AND NOTICES”

page.

This paragraph appears if health benefits are present.

The last three paragraphs appear for every retiree.

Page 35 - Explanations -
Attachment 

PAMPHLETS AVAILABLE

These are some of the pamphlets and forms available by calling OPM:

RI 38-126 Life Events And Your Retirement And Insurance Benefits

RI 84-1 Court Ordered Benefits For Former Spouses

RI 20-59 Information For Annuitants

RI 25-26 Information For Survivor Annuitants

RI 25-27 Survivor Benefits For Children

RI 30-13 Information For Disability Annuitants 

SF 2808 Designation Of Beneficiary 

RI 90-8 Information For FERS Annuitants

RI 90-12 Information For FERS Survivor Annuitants

RI 90-16 Applying For Death Benefits

RI 98-2 Information For FERS Disability Annuitants

SF 3102 Designation Of Beneficiary - FERS

RI 70 –9 FEHB Enrollment Guide - CSRS & FERS Annuitants

RI 79-2 FEHB Information For Retirees and Survivor Annuitants

RI 79-27 Temporary Continuation Of Coverage (TCC) Under FEHB

Items on this page appear as indicated below.

Appears for all retirees.

Appears for all retirees.

CSRS only.

CSRS with survivor benefits only.

CSRS and ORDS only.

CSRS disability only.

CSRS only.

FERS only.

FERS with survivor benefits only.

FERS and FERS Special only.

FERS disability only.

FERS and FERS Special only.

FEHB Enrollees only.

FEHB Enrollees only.

FEHB Enrollees only.

Page 36 - Explanations -
Attachment 

PAMPHLETS AVAILABLE

FE6 FEGLI Claim For Death Benefits

FE6 DEP Statement Of Claim - Option C - Family Life Insurance

RI 76-10 Assignment Of Life Insurance

RI 76-12 Information For Retirees About FEGLI

RI 76-14 Cancellation Of Family Optional Life Insurance

SF 2823 Designation Of Beneficiary - OFEGLI 

FEGLI enrollees only.

FEGLI enrollees with Option C only.

FEGLI enrollees only.

FEGLI enrollees only.

FEGLI enrollees only.

FEGLI enrollees only.

Page 37 - Explanations -
Attachment 

KEEPING YOUR ADDRESS UPDATED

[Correspondence Address]

It is very important that you keep your correspondence address

up-to-date. We will be sending a wide variety of important

information to you, and it is important that you let us know each

time your correspondence address changes.

Although your payments will be sent by direct deposit to your

financial institution, we will send all other material to you at the

address shown above.

You should make arrangements to have your benefits sent directly

to your financial institution by direct deposit. Direct deposit offers

a safe and convenient way to receive your monthly benefit.

It is very important that you keep your address up-to-date.

Besides your monthly benefit, we will be sending a wide variety of

important information to you, and it is important that you let us

know each time your address changes.

Providing your new address to us is easy. Just call our Retirement

Information Office at 1-888-767-6738 (202-606-0500, Washington,

DC area). We will be happy to take the information over the phone.

This is the final text page of the benefits booklet. The very last

page inside the cover has the mailing address positioned for

mailing.

This paragraph appears if the annuity is paid by direct deposit.

This paragraph appears if the annuity is paid by direct deposit.

This paragraph appears if the annuity is paid by check, and the

mailing address is in the U.S. or Canada.

This paragraph appears if the annuity is paid by check.

This paragraph appears for every retiree.

Page 38 - Explanations -