CSRS Creditable Civilian Service FERS i 

Chapter 20
 

Table of Contents 

Subchapter 20A CSRS 

Part 20A1 General Information 

Subpart 20A1.1 Overview and Concept of Creditable Service 

Section 20A1.1-1 Overview ............................................ 1
 

A. Introduction ................................................... 1
 

B. Topics Covered ................................................. 1
 

C. Organization of Subchapter ......................................... 2
 

D. Statement of Authority ............................................ 2
 

Section 20A1.1-2 Concept of Creditable Service ............................... 3
 

A. Introduction ................................................... 3
 

B. Scope of Creditable Service ......................................... 4
 

C. Provisions of 5 U.S.C. 2105(a) ....................................... 4
 

D. Effect of Type of Appointment ....................................... 5
 

E. Amount of Service To Be Credited .................................. 5
 

F. Pay ......................................................... 6
 

G. Verifying Creditable Service ......................................... 6
 

Part 20A2 Types of Creditable Civilian Service 

Subpart 20A2.1 Service Under 5 U.S.C. 8332
 

Section 20A2.1-1 Service Under 5 U.S.C. 8332 ............................... 7
 

A. General ...................................................... 7
 

B. Service Listed in 5 U.S.C. 8332 ...................................... 7
 

Section 20A2.1-2 Service as a Peace Corps or VISTA Volunteer .................... 9
 

A. General Rule ................................................... 9
 

B. Deposit Required ................................................ 9
 

C. Effect of Social Security Eligibility .................................... 9
 

D. Requests for Certification of Peace Corps or VISTA Service .................... 10
 

Section 20A2.1-3 Service Credit for Employment With Certain Overseas Broadcasting

 Organizations ................................................ 11
 

A. General ...................................................... 11
 

B. Organizations for Which Service May Be Credited .......................... 11
 

C. Credit for Broadcast Service ......................................... 11
 

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ii CSRS Creditable Civilian Service	 FERS 

Chapter 20
 

D. Requests for Certification of Broadcast Service ............................. 12
 

E. Deposit Optional .............................................. 12
 

Section 20A2.1-4 National Guard Technicians ................................ 13
 

A.	 General ...................................................... 13
 

B.	 Pre-1969 Service Under Public Laws 90-486 and 94-126: Technicians Under CSRS After
 

December 31, 1968 .............................................. 13
 

C.	 Pre-1969 Service Under Public Law 101-530 .............................. 14
 

D.	 Pre-1969 Service Under Public Law 99-661 ............................... 14
 

Section 20A2.1-5 Credit for Service With a Nonappropriated Fund (NAF) Instrumentality . . 16
 

A.	 General ...................................................... 16
 

B.	 Rule ........................................................ 16
 

C.	 Deposit Not Required ............................................. 17
 

Section 20A2.1-6 Employee Organizations .................................. 18
 

A.	 When Service Is Creditable ......................................... 18
 

B.	 When Service Is Not Creditable ...................................... 18
 

Section 20A2.1-7 Japanese-American Employee Credit .......................... 19
 

A.	 General ...................................................... 19
 

B.	 Public Law 86-782: Rule .......................................... 19
 

C.	 Public Law 95-382: Rule .......................................... 19
 

D.	 Prohibition Against Dual Credit ...................................... 20
 

Section 20A2.1-8 Campaign and Congressional Committees ...................... 21
 

A.	 General ...................................................... 21
 

B.	 Rule ........................................................ 21
 

Section 20A2.2-1 Contract Service - General ................................. 22
 

A.	 General Rule ................................................... 22
 

B.	 Simultaneous Appointment .......................................... 22
 

C.	 Certification by Agency Head ........................................ 22
 

Section 20A2.2-2 Section 110 Contract Service ............................... 23
 

A.	 Eligibility ..................................................... 23
 

B.	 Excluded Service ................................................ 23
 

C.	 Agency Certification of Service ....................................... 23
 

D.	 Deposit Required ................................................ 24
 

Section 20A2.2-3 Service in Cooperating State and Federal Agencies ................ 25
 

A.	 General Rule ................................................... 25
 

B.	 When Service Is Creditable ......................................... 25
 

C.	 Collaborator Service .............................................. 25
 

D.	 Extension Service ............................................... 26
 

E. Service With Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation County Committees ......... 26
 

F. Service in Agricultural Experiment Stations ................................. 27
 

G.	 Service in Land Grant Colleges ....................................... 27
 

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 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service FERS iii
 

Chapter 20
 

H. Alternator (Seasonal) Employees ...................................... 27
 

I. Service in Multi-State Regional Commissions ................................ 28
 

Section 20A2.2-4 Employees Transferred to International Organizations and Mansfield Fellows29
 

A. General Rule ................................................... 29
 

B. When Service Is Creditable ......................................... 29
 

C. Service as Mansfield Fellows ........................................ 29
 

D. Service Credit Under Previous Law .................................... 29
 

Section 20A2.2-5 Government-Owned Corporations ............................ 31
 

A. General ...................................................... 31
 

B. Government-Controlled Corporation ................................... 31
 

C. Test for Creditable Service .......................................... 31
 

D. Reference ..................................................... 31
 

Section 20A2.2-6 Emergency Relief Agencies ................................ 32
 

A. General ...................................................... 32
 

B. Rule ........................................................ 32
 

C. Exception ..................................................... 32
 

D. Contact Agency ................................................. 32
 

Section 20A2.2-7 Service Under Other Contributory Retirement Systems ............. 33
 

A. General Rule ................................................... 33
 

B. Exceptions .................................................... 33
 

Section 20A2.2-8 Service Under Noncontributory Retirement Systems ................ 35
 

A. Rule ........................................................ 35
 

Section 20A2.2-9 Service Covered by Social Security ........................... 36
 

A. Service Covered Only by Social Security ................................. 36
 

B. Service Covered by CSRS and Social Security ............................. 36
 

Section 20A2.2-10 Federal Employee Assigned to State or Local Governments, Institutions of

 Higher Learning, or Nonprofit Organizations ......................... 37
 

A. General Rules .................................................. 37
 

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iv CSRS Creditable Civilian Service FERS 

Chapter 20
 

Section 20A2.2-11 Credit for Service With the Cadet Nurse Corps .................. 38
 

A. General ...................................................... 38
 

B. Application Required by January 10, 1988 ................................ 38
 

C. Deposit Required ................................................ 38
 

Section 20A2.2-12 Commissioned Officers in the Public Health Service (PHS) .......... 39
 

A. Background ................................................... 39
 

B. Rule: PHS Service Before July 1, 1960 ................................. 39
 

C. Rule: PHS Service On or After July 1, 1960 .............................. 40
 

D. Election Between Annuity and Social Security ............................. 40
 

Section 20A2.2-13 Miscellaneous ......................................... 41
 

A. Merchant Marine Service ........................................... 41
 

B. Women's Army Auxiliary Corps ...................................... 41
 

C. Coast and Geodetic Survey and Environmental Science Services Administration ....... 41
 

D. Food Service Employees of the House of Representatives ...................... 42
 

E. House Child Care Center Employees ................................. 42
 

F. U.S. Office of Thrift Supervision Employees .............................. 43
 

G. The District of Columbia Financial Control Authority (The Authority) ............. 43
 

H. District of Columbia Courts ......................................... 44
 

I. U.S. Enrichment Corporation ........................................ 44
 

J. Civilian Marksmanship Corporation .................................... 44
 

K. U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council and U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum ........... 44
 

Subpart 20A2.3 Unused Sick Leave 

Section 20A2.3-1 Unused Sick Leave ...................................... 45
 

A. General Rule ................................................... 45
 

B. Definition of a Formal Leave System ................................... 45
 

C. Restrictions ................................................... 46
 

D. Presidential Appointees ............................................ 46
 

E. Determining Amount of Sick Leave To Be Credited ......................... 46
 

F. Determining Total Length of Service ..................................... 47
 

G. Effect on 80-Percent Maximum Annuity ................................. 47
 

Part 20A3 Amount of Creditable Civilian Service 

Section 20A3.1-1 Amount of Creditable Civilian Service ......................... 48
 

A. Periods of Absence: General ........................................ 48
 

B. Workers' Compensation ........................................... 48
 

C. Intermittent Service .............................................. 49
 

D. Breaks in Service ................................................ 51
 

E. Periods for Which Refunds Have Been Made ........................... 51
 

F. Nondeduction Service ............................................. 52
 

G. Part-Time Service ............................................... 52
 

H. Restoration After Removal or Suspension ................................ 52
 

I. Terminal Leave ................................................. 53
 

J. Fractional Part of a Month in Total Service ............................... 53
 

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Chapter 20
 

Subchapter 20B FERS 

Part 20B1 General Information 

Section 20B1.1-1 Overview ............................................. 54
 

A. Introduction ................................................... 54
 

B. Organization of Subchapter ......................................... 54
 

C. Statement of Authority ............................................ 54
 

Section 20B1.1-2 Concept of Creditable Service ............................... 55
 

A. General ...................................................... 55
 

B. Rules ....................................................... 55
 

C. Transferees With a CSRS Annuity Component ............................. 56
 

Part 20B2 Types of Creditable Civilian Service 

Section 20B2.1-1 Service Under 5 U.S.C. 8411 ............................... 57
 

A. General ...................................................... 57
 

B. Service Creditable Under Section 8411 .................................. 57
 

C. Nondeduction Service Performed After 1988 .............................. 57
 

Section 20B2.1-2 Other Creditable Service .................................. 58
 

A. Applicable CSRS Provisions ......................................... 58
 

B. Service Under Other Federal Retirement Systems ........................... 58
 

C. Service Covered Only by Social Security ................................. 58
 

D. Employees of the Senate Employee Child Care Center ........................ 58
 

Section 20B2.1-3 Unused Sick Leave ...................................... 60
 

A. General Rule ................................................... 60
 

B. Rule: Transferees ............................................... 60
 

Part 20B3 Amount of Creditable Civilian Service 

Section 20B3.1-1 Amount of Creditable Civilian Service ......................... 61
 

A. Applicable CSRS Provision ......................................... 61
 

B. Periods for Which Refunds Have Been Made .............................. 61
 

C. Nondeduction Service ............................................. 61
 

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vi CSRS Creditable Civilian Service FERS 

Chapter 20
 

Appendix A 

Verification of Civilian Service 

A. General ...................................................... 62
 

B. Primary Sources of Records of Service .................................. 62
 

C. Verification from CSRS and FERS Records ............................... 62
 

D. Verification by Employing Agency or National Personnel Records Center ........... 63
 

E. Agencies Retaining Permanent Records ............................... 64
 

F. Discontinued Agencies ............................................ 65
 

G. Agencies Retaining Partial Records .................................... 66
 

H. Verification by National Personnel Records Center .......................... 67
 

1. General .................................................... 67
 

2. Verification from Payroll Records ................................... 67
 

3. When Secondary Evidence May Be Admissible .......................... 67
 

4. Forms of Secondary Evidence ..................................... 68
 

5. Beginning and Ending Dates of Alleged Service To Be Established ............. 69
 

6. OPM Has Authority to Accept Secondary Evidence ....................... 70
 

I. Specific Verification Instructions for Special Types of Service ..................... 71
 

1. U.S. Department of Agriculture .................................... 71
 

2. Substitute Teachers for D.C. Government .............................. 71
 

3. Periods of Imprisonment of a Foreign National .......................... 71
 

4. Justices or Judges of the United States (28 U.S.C. 451) ..................... 72
 

5. House Beauty Shop and Washington Representative for Guam or for the Virgin Islands 72
 

6. Campaign and Congressional Committees .............................. 72
 

7. Natives of the Pribilof Islands ..................................... 73
 

8. Service as a Peace Corps or VISTA Volunteer ........................... 73
 

9. Overseas Broadcasting Organizations ................................. 74
 

10. National Guard Technicians .................................... 75
 

11. Nonappropriated Fund (NAF) Instrumentalities ........................ 75
 

12. Japanese-American Employee Internment ............................ 76
 

Appendix B 

Table of Creditable Service
 

AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS ...................................... 77
 

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Chapter 20
 

Subchapter 20A CSRS 

Part 20A1 General Information 

Subpart 20A1.1 Overview and Concept of Creditable Service 

Section 20A1.1-1 Overview 

A.	 Introduction Generally speaking, all Federal and District of Columbia service is 

creditable under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). Creditable 

service includes service where an employee is not in a "covered" position, 

that is, when not subject to retirement deductions, such as service under a 

temporary appointment. (See Chapter 10, Coverage, and 12, Special 

Coverage Rules, to determine whether an employee is "covered.") 

Chapter 12 addresses special coverage rules that apply to specific groups of 

employees under CSRS and FERS. Chapter 22, Creditable Military 

Service, contains a discussion of creditable military service. Rules 

regarding service credit payments for civilian service are covered in 

Chapter 21, Service Credit Payments for Civilian Service; rules regarding 

service credit payments for military service are covered in Chapter 23, 

Service Credit Payments for Post-1956 Military Service. 

If you have a question about service that is not covered in this Chapter, or 

one of the other chapters referenced above, direct your questions through 

your agency employing office to the headquarters Retirement Counselor 

who may, as necessary, contact OPM. 

B. Topics Covered	 This subchapter covers: 

•	 The concept of creditable service; 

•	 The different types of service that are creditable for retirement 

purposes; 

•	 Service credit for unused sick leave; and 

•	 The amount of creditable service. 

CSRS and FERS Handbook	 April 1998 
2 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service 

Chapter 20 

Section 20A1.1-1 Overview (Cont.) 

C.	 Organization of The CSRS subchapter has three parts. 

Subchapter 

Part Name of Part Page 

20A1 General Information 1 

20A2 Types of Creditable 

Civilian Service 7 

20A3 Amount of Creditable 

Civilian Service 46 

D. Statement of 

Authority 

NOTE:	 Subchapter 20B about creditable service under FERS begins on 

page 52. 

This subchapter and its contents are based on the laws and regulations cited 

below. 

•	 United States Code: 5 U.S.C. 2105, 8331(1) and 8332 

•	 Code of Federal Regulations: 5 CFR 831.302-307 

•	 Various specific laws and regulations are referenced in the sections 

where they apply. 

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 CSRS	 Creditable Civilian Service 3 

Chapter 20 

Section 20A1.1-2 Concept of Creditable Service 

A.	 Introduction The concept of creditable service is basic to many determinations involving 

civil service retirement benefits. While the specific rules may vary for 

allowing credit in certain circumstances, generally, creditable service is 

service that can be counted toward the specified period of service required 

to qualify for the applicable benefit computation, or to establish the 

individual's coverage or entitlement to benefits. 

1.	 Creditable service usually includes all "covered service," that is, 

service in which the individual's pay is subject to CSRS retirement 

deductions, such as service under a career or career conditional 

appointment. 

2.	 Creditable service is not limited to that in positions covered by 

retirement deductions, however. It may also include service where 

an employee's pay is not subject to retirement deductions 

(nondeduction service), such as, service under a temporary 

appointment. If the service meets the tests outlined in section 

20A1.1-2C below, it is generally creditable regardless of the type of 

appointment. 

NOTE:	 Generally, after an employee's pay becomes subject to 

CSRS retirement deductions, civilian service performed 

before CSRS retirement deductions began becomes 

creditable even though no retirement deductions were 

taken from the employee's pay at the time the service was 

performed. 

3.	 Creditable service also includes service that does not meet the tests 

of Federal service outlined in section 20A1.1-2C, but for which a 

specific statute -­

•	 allows credit for the service, such as the credit allowed for 

military service, for enrollment in the Peace Corps or for certain 

pre-1969 National Guard technician service, or 

•	 allows an individual to be subject to CSRS deductions during 

his or her employment with a specified entity or under a specific 

program or type of appointment, such as employees of Gallaudet 

University or D.C. Government, Federal employees who 

receive assignments under the Intergovernmental Personnel Act, 

or employees serving as full-time officers or employees of an 

employee organization. 

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4 CSRS	 Creditable Civilian Service 

Chapter 20 

Section 20A1.1-2 Concept of Creditable Service (Cont.) 

A.	 Introduction 4. Creditable service may also include service that meets the tests 

(Cont.)	 outlined in section 20A1.1-2C; however, the individual was covered 

by another retirement system for Federal employees, such as 

employees of the Tennessee Valley Authority. 

B.	 Scope of 

Creditable 

Service 

C. Provisions of 

5 U.S.C. 2105(a) 

Creditable service includes: 

1.	 Service as an employee as defined in 5 U.S.C. 8331(1) and 

miscellaneous statutes (see Chapter 10 and Chapter 12); 

2.	 Federal civilian service performed by an individual defined as a 

"Federal employee" under 5 U.S.C. 2105(a) (see paragraph C below) 

unless not creditable under a specific provision of law; 

3.	 Any service listed in 5 U.S.C. 8332 (see 20A2.1-1); 

4.	 Military service, with certain qualifications and exceptions (see 

Chapter 22); and 

5.	 Any other service made creditable by statute (see 20A2.2). 

Service of an employee as defined by 5 U.S.C. 2105(a) is creditable Federal 

civilian service. Specifically, that provision states that individuals are 

Federal employees when they meet all three of the following conditions: 

1.	 Appointed in the civil service by a Federal official with authority to 

make the appointment. The appointing official must be one of the 

following acting in an official capacity: 

•	 The President; 

•	 A Member, or Members of Congress, or the Congress; 

•	 A member of a uniformed service; 

•	 An individual who is an employee as defined in 5 U.S.C. 2105(a); 

•	 The head of a government controlled corporation as defined in 

5 U.S.C. 103; or 

•	 An adjutant general designated by the Secretary concerned under 32 

U.S.C. 709(c), (National Guard and Air National Guard). 

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 CSRS	 Creditable Civilian Service 5 

Chapter 20 

Section 20A1.1-2 Concept of Creditable Service (Cont.) 

C.	 Provisions of 5 2. Engaged in performing a Federal function or duty under authority of an 

U.S.C. 2105(a) act of Congress or an Executive Order; and
 

(Cont.)
 

3.	 Supervised by an official listed in paragraph C1 above while engaged in 

the performance of duties of his or her position. 

NOTE 1:	 Individuals who meet the "Federal function" and "supervision" 

tests are not Federal employees until formally appointed in the 

civil service. That is, they must have been given a completed 

Standard Form 50, Notification of Personnel Action, or other 

acceptable equivalent personnel action document used for 

appointing an individual into Federal employment. 

NOTE 2:	 If the service of an individual does not meet all the provisions of 

5 U.S.C. 2105(a), OPM does not have the authority to credit the 

individual's service unless a specific statutory provision 

expressly makes the service creditable. A decision that a 

particular type of service is creditable does not mean that all 

similar types of service are also creditable. (See Baker v. 

United States, 614 F.2d 263 (Ct. Cl. 1980).) 

D. Effect of Type of The type of appointment -- whether temporary, indefinite, permanent, 

Appointment competitive, or excepted -- does not determine creditability. 

E.	 Amount of 

Service To Be 

Credited 

In general, employees are given a day's credit for each day from the date of 

an appointment through the date of separation. However, there are special 

rules for crediting service performed under an appointment designated as 

intermittent or for periods of nonpay status in excess of 6 months in a 

calendar year. See section 20A3.1-1 below for other instances where 

special rules apply. 

NOTE:	 When you cannot determine how much time to allow for a 

particular type of service not otherwise discussed in this 

subchapter, contact your agency headquarters Retirement 

Counselor. If necessary, the agency headquarters Retirement 

Counselor may write to OPM for a determination. The request 

should include all of the specifics about the service and copies of 

any relevant documents (such as SF 50's) should be attached. 

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6 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service 

Chapter 20 

Section 20A1.1-2 Concept of Creditable Service (Cont.) 

F. Pay Generally, individuals must receive pay for their service to get retirement 

credit for that service. However, the service of an individual appointed 

without pay or with nominal pay (such as $12.00 per year) is creditable if 

the individual is required to perform full-time or substantially full-time 

service. 

By itself, the source of funds from which paid -- appropriated, 

nonappropriated, Federal, or State -- is not always a determining factor. 

G. Verifying 

Creditable 

Service 

Appendix A provides information and procedures about verifying civilian 

service. Additional information is in The Guide to Processing Personnel 

Actions (formerly FPM Supplement 296-33). 

Appendix B provides a table listing types of service and summarized rulings 

on crediting service for agencies and organizations. 

April 1998 CSRS and FERS Handbook 
 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service
 7 

Chapter 20
 

Part 20A2 Types of Creditable Civilian Service 

Subpart 20A2.1 Service Under 5 U.S.C. 8332 

Section 20A2.1-1 Service Under 5 U.S.C. 8332 

A.	 General Section 8332 of title 5 of the United States Code enumerates types of 

service that are creditable for retirement purposes, in addition to regular 

covered service. 

Most of the service listed in the CSRS law section 8332 is straightforward 

and needs no elaboration. These types of service are listed in paragraph B 

below. 

However, certain periods of creditable service, due to their complicated 

nature, require a more detailed explanation. These periods are covered in 

sections that follow, beginning with section 20A2.1-2. 

B. Service Listed in 

5 U.S.C. 8332 

Creditable service under 5 U.S.C. 8332 includes: 

•	 Employment as a substitute in the postal field service; 

•	 Service in the Pan American Sanitary Bureau; 

•	 Service performed before July 10, 1960, as an employee of a county 

committee established under 16 U.S.C. 590h(b) or of a committee or an 

association of producers described by 7 U.S.C. 610(b) if certified by 

the Secretary of Agriculture (See paragraph I.1 in Appendix A for 

documentation information); 

•	 Service as a student-employee as defined by 5 U.S.C. 5351 only if the 

student-employee later becomes subject to CSRS deductions; 

•	 Service performed after February 18, 1929, and before noon on January 

3, 1971, as a United States Capitol Guide; 

•	 Service as a substitute teacher for the government of the District of 

Columbia after July 1, 1955, if such service is not credited for benefits 

under any other retirement system established by a law of the United 

States (See paragraph I.2 in Appendix A for documentation 

information); 

•	 Periods of imprisonment of a foreign national for which compensation 

is provided under section 410 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 if the 

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8 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service
 

Chapter 20
 

Section 20A2.1-1 Service Under 5 U.S.C. 8332 (Cont.) 

B.	 Service Listed in individual was subject to CSRS during employment with the 

5 U.S.C. 8332 government last preceding imprisonment or is qualified for a CSRS 

(Cont.) annuity on the basis of other service of the individual (See paragraph I.3 

in Appendix A for documentation information.); 

•	 Service as a justice or judge of the United States as defined by 28 

U.S.C. 451, and service as a judge of a court created by Act of 

Congress in a territory that is invested with any jurisdiction of a district 

court of the United States; however, no credit is allowed for such 

service if the employee is entitled to a salary or an annuity under 28 

U.S.C. 371, 372, or 373 (See paragraph I.4 in Appendix A for 

information on verification.); 

•	 Service performed on or after December 6, 1967, and before January 3, 

1978, as an employee of the House Beauty Shop, only if he or she 

served as an employee of the House Beauty Shop for a period of at least 

5 years after January 3, 1978, and if certified by the House of 

Representatives (See paragraph I.5 in Appendix A for verification 

information.); 

•	 One year of service to be credited for each year in which a Native of 

the Pribilof Islands performs service in the taking and curing of fur seal 

skins and other activities in connection with the administration of the 

Pribilof Islands, notwithstanding any period of separation from the 

service, and regardless of whether the Native who performs the service 

retires before, on, or after January 1, 1987 (See paragraph I.7 in 

Appendix A for verification information.); and 

•	 Service performed on or after January 3, 1969, and before January 4, 

1973, as the Washington Representative for Guam or the Washington 

Representative for the Virgin Islands, only if the individual serves asa 

Member for a period of at least 5 years after January 2, 1973 (See 

paragraph I.5 in Appendix A for verification information.). 

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 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service
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Chapter 20
 

Section 20A2.1-2 Service as a Peace Corps or VISTA Volunteer 

A.	 General Rule When a Peace Corps or VISTA volunteer (5 U.S.C. 8332(b)(5) and (7)) 

becomes employed in a Federal civilian position after performing full-time 

service as a volunteer or volunteer leader with the Peace Corps or VISTA, 

his or her satisfactory volunteer service with these organizations (excluding 

training time) generally is creditable for CSRS under the same conditions 

that apply to a period or periods of nondeduction service. 

NOTE:	 Service credit is not allowed for training periods prior to actual 

enrollment. 

B.	 Deposit Required 1. If the Peace Corps or VISTA service was performed before October 1, 

1982, the employee receives credit for the service for both eligibility 

and annuity computation purposes. The deposit for such service is 

optional. However, if the deposit is not paid, the individual's annuity 

will be reduced by 10 percent of the amount of deposit due. 

2.	 If the Peace Corps or VISTA service was performed on or after October 

1, 1982, the employee must pay the deposit to receive credit for this 

service in the computation of an annuity. 

NOTE:	 See Chapter 21, Service Credit Payments for Civilian Service, for 

detailed information on Peace Corps or VISTA volunteer service 

credit payments. 

C.	 Effect of Social 

Security 

Eligibility 

If the employee, surviving spouse, or child is entitled (or would upon 

proper application be entitled) to Social Security old age (not disability) or 

survivor benefits, he or she will have to pay a deposit for the Peace Corps 

or VISTA service to be creditable for retirement. 

If credit for Peace Corps or VISTA service is given and the employee, 

surviving spouse, or child becomes entitled to Social Security benefits, 

OPM recomputes the annuity to exclude the Peace Corps or VISTA service, 

if the deposit is not paid. The reduction in annuity is effective the first of 

the month in which eligibility for Social Security benefits was attained. 

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10 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service 

Chapter 20 

Section 20A2.1-2 Service as a Peace Corps or VISTA Volunteer (Cont.) 

C.	 Effect of Social 

Security 

Eligibility (cont.) 

Prior to the passage of Public Law 103-82, the National and Community 

Service Trust Act of 1993 and Domestic Volunteer Service Act 

Amendments of 1993, the recomputation was required even if the employee 

made a deposit for the service prior to retirement. However, under section 

371 of Public Law 103-82, the treatment of volunteer service is modified so 

that it is similar to that of military service. Thus, a deposit for Peace Corps 

or VISTA service now ensures its continued creditability after the annuitant 

becomes eligible for Social Security benefits. 

EXAMPLE:	 John made a deposit for 2 years of service as a Peace Corps 

volunteer from 1964 to 1966. When he retired at age 59, he 

received credit for this service. On June 15, 1996, he 

became age 62 and eligible for Social Security benefits. 

Because the deposit was paid, he continues to receive credit 

for the 2 years of Peace Corps volunteer service. 

If the deposit had not been paid, John's annuity would have been 

recomputed to exclude credit for the 2 years of Peace Corps volunteer 

service effective June 1, 1996. 

D. Requests for The procedures for verifying service with the Peace Corps and service with 

Certification of VISTA, and the addresses for submitting verification requests are included 

Peace Corps or in paragraph I.8 of Appendix A. 

VISTA Service 

April 1998	 CSRS and FERS Handbook 
 CSRS	 Creditable Civilian Service 11 

Chapter 20 

Section 20A2.1-3 Service Credit for Employment With Certain Overseas Broadcasting

 Organizations 

A.	 General Public Law 96-465, the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (approved October 17, 

1980) allows service credit for employment after July 1, 1946, with certain 

overseas broadcasting organizations. 

B.	 Organizations for 

Which Service 

May Be Credited 

Only the groups listed below meet the criteria established by the law for 

service to be creditable: 

•	 National Committee for a Free Europe 

•	 Free Europe Committee, Inc. 

•	 Free Europe, Inc. 

•	 Radio Liberation Committee 

•	 Radio Liberty Committee 

•	 Subdivisions of any of the above organizations 

•	 Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Inc. 

•	 Radio Free Asia 

•	 Asia Foundation 

•	 Armed Forces Network, Europe (AFN-E) 

C.	 Credit for Each of the following conditions must be met to receive credit for service 

Broadcast Service with the organizations specified in paragraph B. 

1.	 The service must equal or exceed 130 days (or its equivalent) per 

calendar year. 

2.	 The service must not be credited toward benefits under a retirement 

system established for the broadcast entity and funded in whole or in 

part by the Federal Government. OPM has already determined that the 

retirement plans established for these entities were funded in whole or 

in part by the Federal Government. Therefore, if there was a plan in 

existence during the period of service for which credit is sought, there 

must be proof that: 

•	 The individual never elected to join the plan if he or she had that 

option; 

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12 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service 

Chapter 20 

Section 20A2.1-3 Service Credit for Employment With Certain Overseas Broadcasting

 Organizations (Cont.) 

C.	 Credit for 

Broadcast Service 

(Cont.) 

D.	 Requests for 

Certification of 

Broadcast Service 

•	 The number of years of service were insufficient to obtain title to a 

benefit under the plan; or 

•	 The plan permits an individual to waive his or her coverage. (Proof 

of the request for waiver and its acceptance by the broadcast entity 

must be submitted to OPM.) 

3.	 Since service with a broadcast entity is creditable but not covered, that 

is, not subject to CSRS retirement deductions, the individual must have 

employment in a position where he or she is covered by CSRS after the 

law was enacted on February 15, 1981, and after the period of 

employment with the broadcast entity for which credit is to be given. 

The procedure for verifying service with a broadcast organization and the 

addresses for submitting verification requests are included in paragraph I.9 

of Appendix A. 

Upon retirement, the employing agency submits a copy of the certification 

with the individual's retirement record if he or she elects to receive credit 

for the service. 

E.	 Deposit Optional Employees who want to receive credit for service performed with any of the 

entities listed in paragraph B may make a deposit for such service in 

accordance with the rules for nondeduction (deposit) service performed preand post-October 1, 1982, covered in Chapter 21. 

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 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service
 13 

Chapter 20
 

Section 20A2.1-4 National Guard Technicians 

A.	 General Before January 1, 1969, National Guard technicians were generally 

considered State employees. However, after enactment of Public Law 

90-486 on August 13, 1968, (now codified in 5 U.S.C. 8332(b)(6)) 

individuals employed as National Guard technicians after December 31, 

1968, were considered civilian employees of the U.S. Army or Air Force. 

Therefore, service as a National Guard technician performed after 1968 is 

generally creditable for retirement eligibility, average pay, and computation 

purposes. Service as a National Guard technician performed before January 

1, 1969, may be creditable under several different statutes that have been 

passed in the years since 1968. (See Chapter 12 for a discussion of the 

special coverage rules that apply to National Guard technician service after 

1968.) 

Paragraphs B and C contain the current rules for crediting pre-1969 

National Guard technician service. Paragraph B gives the rules for 

crediting pre-1969 service of employees who also performed covered 

service as a National Guard technician after December 31, 1968. Paragraph 

C gives the rules for crediting service of employees who only performed 

service as a National Guard technician before January 1, 1969, or who 

elected to remain under the State retirement system in 1969. Paragraph D 

contains historical information on credit for pre-1969 technician service 

under Public Law 99-661 -- in effect from November 14, 1986, through 

January 14, 1988. This information is included for the convenience of the 

reader, since some individuals may still be making installment deposit 

payments under this provision. 

B.	 Pre-1969 Service 1. Public Law 90-486 authorized those individuals who were employed as 

Under Public National Guard technicians in a position under CSRS after 

Laws 90-486 and December 31, 1968, to receive credit for 55 percent of each year or 

94-126: fractional year of technician service performed until December 31, 

Technicians 1968, for retirement computation purposes. (Pre-1969 service was 

Under CSRS credited in full for retirement eligibility and average salary purposes.) 

After 

December 31, 2. Public Law 94-126 (enacted November 12, 1975) retroactively 

1968 eliminated, for any individual serving as a technician on or after 

January 1, 1969, the provision of Public Law 90-486 crediting only 

55 percent of technician service performed before 1969 for computation 

purposes. 

3.	 The amendments made by Public Law 94-126 apply to all technicians 

retiring on or after November 13, 1975, and to technicians who 

separated between January 1, 1969, and November 12, 1975, with title 

to a deferred annuity commencing after November 12, 1975. 

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14 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service 

Chapter 20 

Section 20A2.1-4 National Guard Technicians (Cont.) 

B.	 Pre-1969 Service 

Under Public 

Laws 90-486 and 

94-126: 

Technicians 

Under CSRS 

After 

December 31, 

1968 (Cont.) 

C. Pre-1969 Service
 

Under Public
 

Law 101-530
 

Technicians who retired from January 1, 1969, through November 12, 

1975, can have their annuity recomputed only if they request a 

recomputation by OPM in writing. 

4.	 These individuals do not have to make a deposit for pre-January 1, 

1969, service as a National Guard technician for the service to be 

creditable. The service is treated like any other period of nondeduction 

service. (In this case, the provisions of Chapter 21 apply. See section 

21A2.1-3, paragraph B.) 

NOTE:	 Public Law 94-126 also provided that an individual's civil service 

annuity must be reduced by the portion of any State retirement 

annuity attributable to National Guard technician service 

performed prior to January 1, 1969, to which the individual is 

entitled (or on proper application would be entitled). 

Public Law 101-530 (enacted November 6, 1990) allows Federal employees 

under CSRS (or FERS) after November 5, 1990, credit for pre-1969 

National Guard technician service even though they did not perform 

National Guard technician service after 1968 or elected to remain under the 

State retirement system after 1968. However, they must file an application 

for service credit (Standard Form 2803 or 3108) and pay a deposit to OPM 

for the service before final adjudication of the employee's annuity, unless 

they are eligible for and elect the alternative annuity. (See Chapter 53, 

Alternative Annuity Elections, for additional information about the 

alternative annuity election. See paragraph I.10 in Appendix A for 

information on verification.) 

D. Pre-1969 Service
 

Under Public
 

Law 99-661
 

Public Law 99-661 (effective November 14, 1986) allowed credit under 

CSRS for pre-January 1, 1969, service as a National Guard technician for 

individuals who did not qualify for credit under Public Law 90-486 

(paragraph B above). This includes individuals who were not National 

Guard technicians after January 1, 1969, and individuals who elected to 

remain under a State retirement plan. 

Under Public Law 99-661, an individual who performed service as a 

National Guard technician prior to January 1, 1969, was entitled to credit 

for the pre-1969 service under CSRS if he or she: 

1.	 Applied to OPM for service credit no later than January 14, 1988; 

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 CSRS	 Creditable Civilian Service 15 

Chapter 20 

Section 20A2.1-4 National Guard Technicians (Cont.) 

D.	 Pre-1969 Service 2. Was employed (but not as a reemployed annuitant) by the Federal 

Under Public Government in a position subject to CSRS at the time the application 

Law 99-661 was filed; and 

(Cont.) 

3.	 Made a deposit for the service to his or her employing agency before 

separating for retirement. Pre-1969 service credited under Public Law 

99-661 could not be deemed deposited under the alternative annuity 

provisions. 

NOTE:	 Although the requirements for crediting pre-1968 National 

Guard technician service have been superseded by Public 

Law 101-530, agencies were instructed to continue 

processing service credit payments as instructed in the 

regulations implementing Public Law 99-661, if the 

individual had applied for service credit and began making 

installment payments while it was in effect. 

CSRS and FERS Handbook	 April 1998 
16 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service 

Chapter 20 

Section 20A2.1-5 Credit for Service With a Nonappropriated Fund (NAF) Instrumentality 

A.	 General As a general rule, service in a position where salary was paid from 

nonappropriated funds is not creditable. However, there are several 

specific statutory provisions allowing credit for such service under certain 

circumstances. 

Public Law 99-638 (effective November 10, 1986) allows credit under 

CSRS for certain service with a nonappropriated fund instrumentality 

(NAF) performed after June 18, 1952, and before January 1, 1966, if the 

conditions in paragraph B (below) are met. 

NOTE:	 See Chapter 12 for information about the creditability of NAF 

service under Public Law 101-508, the "NAF Portability Act," 

that covers persons who transfer from NAF to civil service 

positions on and after January 1, 1987. Certain NAF employees 

may elect to remain covered under CSRS (or FERS) when all the 

requirements have been met. 

NOTE:	 Public Law 104-106, the National Defense Authorization Act for 

Fiscal Year 1996, approved February 10, 1996, expands the 

portability rules and allows additional retirement credit 

opportunities under certain conditions for employees who moved 

between NAF and civil service positions after December 31, 

1965. However, the law contains no provision which would 

allow an employee covered by CSRS to elect to retroactively 

return to NAF retirement plan coverage or to obtain credit for 

previous NAF service under CSRS. 

B.	 Rule An individual employed by a NAF instrumentality after June 18, 1952, but 

before January 1, 1966, in a position where he or she: 

1.	 Conducted arts and crafts, drama, music, library, service club, 

youth activities, sports, or recreation programs (including any 

outdoor recreation program) for personnel of the armed forces, or 

2.	 Managed or supervised all details directly relating to the programs 

enumerated or to the individuals who actually conducted such 

programs, 

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 CSRS	 Creditable Civilian Service 17 

Chapter 20 

Section 20A2.1-5 Credit for Service With a Nonappropriated Fund (NAF) Instrumentality (Cont.) 

B. Rule	 is entitled to credit for such service provided he or she -­

•	 Was employed subsequent to the period of NAF service in a 

position where CSRS retirement deductions were taken after 

November 8, 1986; and 

•	 Is not receiving (and is not entitled to receive) any retirement 

benefit based on the same period of service from a NAF 

retirement plan. 

C. Deposit Not 

Required 

An employee who has NAF service that qualifies under the conditions 

outlined in paragraph B is not required to make a deposit to receive credit 

for such service. (See paragraph I.11 for information on verification.) 

However, if a deposit is not made, the employee's annuity is reduced by an 

amount equal to 10 percent of the balance of the deposit due (including 

interest) and unpaid at the time of retirement. (See Chapter 21, section 

21A2.1-3, paragraph B, for further details.) 

CSRS and FERS Handbook	 April 1998 
18 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service 

Chapter 20 

Section 20A2.1-6 Employee Organizations 

A. When Service Is
 

Creditable
 

Under 5 U.S.C. 8332(k)(1), the service of an employee who enters on 

approved leave without pay to serve as a full-time officer or employee of an 

employee organization is fully creditable if the employee elects, within 60 

days after entering on LWOP, to continue coverage and pays the employee 

deduction and agency contribution to the retirement fund. See Chapter 12 

for a full discussion of coverage while serving with an employee 

organization. 

B. When Service Is 

Not Creditable 

The service of an employee on approved leave without pay (LWOP) who 

serves as a full-time officer or employee of an employee organization is not 

creditable for any retirement purpose if the employee does not elect to 

continue coverage or does not pay the deductions and contributions as 

described. By law, such an employee is not entitled to receive credit for any 

LWOP, including the 6 months of leave in a calendar year normally 

provided under 5 U.S.C. 8332(f). 

April 1998 CSRS and FERS Handbook 
 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service
 19 

Chapter 20
 

Section 20A2.1-7 Japanese-American Employee Credit 

A.	 General Special retirement credit has been granted by 5 U.S.C. 8332(l) to certain 

employees of Japanese or Aleut ancestry who were interned during the war. 

B.	 Public Law Japanese-American Internment -­

86-782: Rule 

1.	 Effective September 14, 1960, Public Law 86-782 allowed credit (as 

civilian service), without deposit, to certain employees of Japanese 

ancestry. These employees must have been serving on July 15, 1952, 

in the postal field service or in the classified civil service in positions 

subject to 5 U.S.C. chapter 51. At some time during the period from 

December 7, 1941, to September 3, 1945, because of a program or 

policy of the United States or for purposes of entering the Armed 

Forces, an employee must have: 

•	 Been separated from service; or 

•	 Lost opportunity for or been denied probational appointment from a 

civil service register; or 

•	 Been denied reinstatement to a position as described. 

2.	 An employee meeting the requirements described in paragraph B may 

receive credit for: 

•	 Any period of internment; 

•	 Any period for which loss of opportunity for or denial of 

appointment occurred; 

•	 Any period resulting from denial of reinstatement; or 

•	 Any period resulting from separation from service. 

C. Public Law 1. Effective October 1, 1978, Public Law 95-382 (now 5 U.S.C. 8332(1)) 

95-382: Rule allows credit (as civilian service), without deposit, for periods of 

confinement in internment camps during World War II to certain 

citizens of Aleut ancestry and to certain Japanese-American employees 

who were citizens of the United States or aliens lawfully admitted to the 

United States. The confinement must have been ordered under a policy 

or program of the United States established during World War II 

CSRS and FERS Handbook	 April 1998 
20 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service 

Chapter 20 

Section 20A2.1-7 Japanese-American Employee Credit (Cont.) 

C. Public Law in the interest of national security. No special criteria, such as those 

95-382: Rule outlined in paragraph B above, need be met in order to receive 

(Cont.) retirement credit under Public Law 95-382. 

2. Retirement credit is allowed under Public Law 95-382 (for eligibility 

and computation purposes) only for that portion of the period of 

internment or detention occurring after the employee or Member 

attained 18 years of age. For purposes of obtaining credit, "World War 

II" means the period beginning December 7, 1941, and ending 

December 31, 1946. 

D.	 Prohibition 1. Section 142 of Public Law 92-603, the Social Security Amendments of 

Against Dual 1972, allows qualified Japanese-Americans Social Security credit for 

Credit periods of internment between December 7, 1941, and December 31, 

1946. However, Japanese-American internees may not receive credit 

toward Social Security benefits for a period of internment if a benefit 

based in whole or in part on the period of service is payable from the 

Civil Service Retirement System. 

2.	 Records forwarded by an agency and requests from individuals to OPM 

must contain a statement from the individual indicating whether or not 

he or she is receiving or has ever applied for Social Security benefits. 

(See paragraph I.12 in Appendix A for instructions on obtaining 

verification of this service.) 

3.	 OPM notifies the Social Security Administration when it allows credit 

for CSRS retirement purposes for a period of internment if the 

annuitant is age 62 or over, or is within 5 months of reaching age 62. 

EXCEPTION:	 A period of internment may be credited for Social 

Security purposes if the period is not necessary for title to 

the annuity and does not increase the amount of the award. 

This could occur in certain disability and death-in-service 

cases in which the 40 percent guaranteed minimum 

applies. See Chapters 60 and 70. 

April 1998	 CSRS and FERS Handbook 
 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service
 21 

Chapter 20
 

Section 20A2.1-8 Campaign and Congressional Committees 

A.	 General Effective December 12, 1980, Public Law 96-523 (now 5 U.S.C. 8332(m)) 

allows credit for employment with the: 

• Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee; 

•	 Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee; 

•	 Democratic National Congressional Committee; and the 

•	 Republican National Congressional Committee. 

(See paragraph I.6 in Appendix A for addresses where service can be 

verified.) 

B.	 Rule Such service is credited as congressional employment and is allowed only to 

individuals who: 

•	 Were Federal employees on December 12, 1980, the date of enactment; 

•	 Have 5 years of creditable civilian service in addition to the campaign 

committee service; 

•	 Had at least 5 years of campaign committee service as of the date of 

enactment; and 

•	 Make a deposit to the retirement fund in an amount equal to the salary 

deductions that would have been withheld (at the rate for congressional 

service) had the service been covered by CSRS. 

The President of the Senate (or designee) or the Speaker of the House (or 

designee) will provide certification of the length of service and rates of 

compensation. (See paragraph I.6 in Appendix A for documentation 

information.) 

CSRS and FERS Handbook	 April 1998 
22 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service 

Chapter 20 

Section 20A2.2-1 Contract Service - General 

A. General Rule Contract service with a Federal agency is creditable for retirement purposes 

only if the employing agency exercised an explicit statutory authority to 

appoint by contract. 

B. Simultaneous Where the employee has received an appointment (as documented by an 

Appointment official appointment document), the existence of a contract between the 

agency and the employee defining the conditions of employment does not 

invalidate the appointment status. 

EXAMPLE: Contract teacher service with the Army Dependents' Schools 

is creditable for retirement purposes so long as there is also a 

Standard Form 50, or equivalent, appointing the teacher to a 

position in the civil service. 

C. Certification by 1. Section 110 of Public Law 100-238 provided that the head of a Federal 

Agency Head	 agency could, for a statutorily defined group of individuals, certify 

certain personal service contract service performed before November 5, 

1985, as creditable for retirement purposes. 

2.	 All certifications are reported to OPM. An employee whose personal 

service contract service was affirmatively certified by an agency head 

will be billed for the deposit due on that service. The deposit must be 

paid or deemed deposited under the AFA before the service may be 

credited for retirement purposes. 

3.	 The deadline for applications was January 8, 1990. The following 

section describes the rules for obtaining credit under section 110 in 

more detail. 

NOTE:	 At present, no employee, former employee, or annuitant has 

a right to initiate an application under Section 110. 

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 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service
 23 

Chapter 20
 

Section 20A2.2-2 Section 110 Contract Service 

A.	 Eligibility Section 110 of Public Law 100-238 permitted certain individuals to apply 

before January 9, 1990, to receive credit under CSRS for service that was 

performed under a personal service contract with the United States. 

NOTE:	 At present, no employee, former employee, or annuitant has a 

right to initiate an application under Section 110. 

Individuals who were CSRS employees on January 8, 1988, were eligible to 

apply to receive credit for contract service. 

B. Excluded Service	 Credit under section 110 was not allowed for: 

•	 Service performed under USAID or Peace Corps contracts; 

•	 Contracts wherein services could have been terminated by a person 

other than the employee or the Government (that is, employment as a 

contractor's employee or as a subcontractor); 

•	 Contracts for a single transaction or where services were paid for in a 

single payment; or 

•	 Any contract service performed after November 4, 1985. 

C.	 Agency Upon receipt of a section 110 application showing that the applicant was 

Certification of eligible to apply, the head of the agency with which contract service was 

Service claimed determined if any of the claimed service was performed for the 

agency, and if so, determined: 

•	 The length and pay (in U.S. dollars) of the contract service performed; 

and 

•	 Whether the agency had intended that the employee be considered 

subject to CSRS coverage through the contract(s). 

The head of the contracting agency provided an affirmative or a negative 

certification of the contracting agency's finding on the claimed service to 

OPM and a copy to the applicant. The authority to make the certification 

could not be delegated to a lesser agency official. If the contracting agency 

no longer existed or if the claimed service was on the staff of a President 

whose term of office has ended, OPM's Associate Director for Retirement 

and Insurance Service made the certification. 

By law, an agency head's finding on the contract service is final and 

conclusive and not subject to administrative or judicial review. 

CSRS and FERS Handbook	 April 1998 
24 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service 

Chapter 20 

Section 20A2.2-2 Section 110 Contract Service (Cont.) 

D.	 Deposit Required Credit is allowed for contract service only if a deposit is paid in full or 

deemed paid for individuals who are eligible and elect an alternative annuity 

at retirement. (See Chapter 53 for additional information about the 

alternative annuity election.) 

After receiving a certification of creditable contract service, OPM notified 

the applicant of the deposit amount. 

April 1998	 CSRS and FERS Handbook 
 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service
 25 

Chapter 20
 

Section 20A2.2-3 Service in Cooperating State and Federal Agencies 

A. General Rule Service as an employee of a State or instrumentality of a State is not 

creditable service for civil service retirement purposes. 

B. When Service Is
 

Creditable
 

States do enter into cooperative agreements with Federal agencies (notably 

the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)) to perform certain Federal 

functions, however. Service under such agreements is considered creditable 

for retirement purposes if the employee: 

•	 Holds a Federal appointment; 

•	 Is engaged in activities jointly administered by the United States and 

the State or other outside agency; and 

•	 Is under the supervision and control of Federal officials. 

C. Collaborator 1. State employees (usually in USDA) who are retained on the Federal 

Service employment rolls without compensation or at a nominal compensation 

of $1.00 a year so as to enable a Federal agency to avail itself of their 

services when needed, generally are not Federal employees. Their 

regular compensation is paid by the State or other cooperating 

organization, they are not supervised by a Federal official, and their 

duties are not those of a position in the civil service of the United 

States. 

2. When collaborator appointments are the result of a cooperative 

agreement between the Federal agency (usually in the Department of 

Agriculture) and a State entity, a collaborator who performed full-time 

or substantially full-time service in a position that meets the tests for 

Federal employment (see section 20A1.1-2, paragraph B) receives credit 

for his or her service. Service of this type is considered deposit service 

under CSRS. It is also deposit service under FERS if performed before 

January 1, 1989. OPM will allow credit for USDA collaborator 

appointments if the Department of Agriculture affirmatively certifies 

that the service is creditable. The USDA has the authority to determine 

whether the service of its cooperative employees (in any of its bureaus) 

is creditable for retirement purposes. OPM accepts USDA's affirmative 

statement that cooperative service in a particular case is creditable, 

unless there is a substantial reason apparent for questioning USDA's 

determination. (See paragraph I.1 of Appendix A for address.) 

CSRS and FERS Handbook	 April 1998 
26 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service 

Chapter 20 

Section 20A2.2-3 Service in Cooperating State and Federal Agencies (Cont.) 

D.	 Extension Service On July 29, 1944, the Civil Service Commission (now OPM) adopted the 

tests for Federal service described in section 20A1.1-2, paragraph C, for 

determining whether cooperative service was Federal service. However, 

under this criteria credit for certain Federal Extension Service employment 

was denied because no formal appointment papers had been executed. 

To overcome this circumstance, on September 30, 1957, the Commission 

(now OPM) changed the proof required to establish an appointment by a 

Federal officer. From that date, credit was allowed if the employee 

performed a Federal function under a Federal-State cooperative assignment 

and was named in a plan of work and budget document formally approved 

before January 1, 1945, by the Extension Service. 

E. Service With 1. Public Law 85-568, enacted July 1, 1960, declared employees of the 

Agricultural Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation (ASC) county committees to 

Stabilization and be Federal employees as of July 10, 1960, for retirement purposes. 

Conservation This law covered all ASC county committee employees except those 

County specifically excluded by law or regulations (such as temporary and 

Committees intermittent employees). However, an employee who separated before 

July 10, 1960, cannot receive credit for that service. 

2. Service as a committee employee between February 29, 1936, and 

July 9, 1960, also was made creditable for determining length of service 

for automatic separation, annuity title, average salary, etc., if the 

employee was separated on or after July 10, 1960. However, service 

before July 10, 1960, could not be used for computation purposes 

unless a service credit deposit (with interest) was completed. Such 

deposit was authorized only if the employee, before July 11, 1962, had 

a total of 5 years of civilian service (including committee employee 

service). This law was amended by Public Law 87-350 to make these 

restrictions apply only to those employees separated before July 1, 

1961. 

3. For employees in the service on July 1, 1961, Public Law 87-350 put 

credit for committee service prior to July 10, 1960, on the same basis 

as other nondeduction Federal service--that is, if the deposit was not 

made prior to retirement, the annual annuity would be reduced by 10 

percent of the unpaid amount. (The provisions of Chapter 21 apply. 

See section 21A2.1-3, paragraph B.) 

April 1998	 CSRS and FERS Handbook 
 CSRS	 Creditable Civilian Service 27 

Chapter 20
 

Section 20A2.2-3 Service in Cooperating State and Federal Agencies (Cont.)
 

E.	 Service With 4. The USDA has authority to determine whether service with ASC county 

Agricultural committees is creditable for retirement purposes. An affirmative 

Stabilization and statement from the USDA is acceptable for crediting service with ASC 

Conservation county committees before July 10, 1960, and with predecessor 

County organizations. See paragraph I.1 in Appendix A for the address to 

Committees obtain information concerning the creditability of ASC county 

(Cont.) committee service. 

F.	 Service in 1. Service as an employee of a State Agricultural Experiment Station is not 

Agricultural creditable for retirement purposes even though the salary is paid from 

Experiment funds of Federal origin. Such employees are not under the control of 

Stations the Federal Government, they are not appointed by the Department of 

Agriculture even as collaborators without compensation, and they are 

subject to the personnel regulations that apply to the State colleges and 

universities in their respective States. 

2.	 Service in agricultural experiment stations operated in the Territories of 

Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico may or may 

not be creditable. Employing offices may request a determination about 

the creditability of such service from the Office of Personnel 

Management. 

G.	 Service in Land Employment by Land Grant colleges, which are State or Territorial 

Grant Colleges	 institutions, is not creditable for retirement purposes. Individuals employed 

by Land Grant colleges do not receive Federal appointments, their hours of 

duty and their compensation are not fixed by the Federal Government, and 

their work is not supervised by Federal officials. 

H.	 Alternator 

(Seasonal) 

Employees 

Alternators are those employees hired by the Forest Service for seasonal 

work. When the season is over they are usually converted to intermittent 

status without a regularly scheduled tour of duty. They have consistently 

received full credit for the portion of their service that is performed on a 

full-time basis. During the period when they are in intermittent status 

without a regularly scheduled tour of duty, they receive credit only for the 

days they actually work. 

CSRS and FERS Handbook	 April 1998 
28 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service 

Chapter 20 

Section 20A2.2-3 Service in Cooperating State and Federal Agencies (Cont.) 

I. Service in Multi- Public Law 89-4, enacted March 9, 1965, established the Appalachian 

State Regional Regional Commission to coordinate action between the Federal Government 

Commissions and the States within the region to promote their economic development. 

Under the provisions of the Act, the Federal cochairman, his or her 

alternate, and the staff are Federal employees for retirement purposes. 

Coverage is available on an elective basis to employees appointed to the 

Commission within 3 days after separation from Federal service. 

April 1998 CSRS and FERS Handbook 
 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service 29 

Chapter 20 

Section 20A2.2-4 Employees Transferred to International Organizations and Mansfield Fellows 

A. General Rule Generally, service in a public international organization like the United 

Nations and the Pan-American Union is not Federal service even when it is 

paid from joint funds of two or more countries, including the United States, 

and performed for the purpose of carrying out international agreements. 

However, under certain circumstances explained below, service with an 

international organization can be creditable. 

B. When Service Is 

Creditable 

Under 5 U.S.C. 3343 et seq. and 5 U.S.C. 3581 et seq., (formerly Public 

Law 85-795, effective August 28, 1958, as amended by Public Law 91-175, 

effective December 30, 1969), the service (up to 5 years, with a possible 

3-year extension) of an employee who transfers to an approved international 

organization is fully creditable if it is covered service. However, service 

with the international organization cannot be credited if it forms the basis, 

in whole or in part, for an annuity or pension under the retirement system 

of the international organization. The conditions under which an employee 

may continue coverage under CSRS (and FERS) are discussed in section 

12A3.1-4 of Chapter 12. 

C. Service as 

Mansfield 

Fellows 

The Mike Mansfield Fellowship Act, Public Law 103-236, approved 

April 10, 1994, permits credit for Mansfield Fellows. Mansfield Fellows 

serve as fellows in a parliamentary office, ministry, or other agency of the 

Government of Japan, or a nongovernmental Japanese institution associated 

with the interests of the Federal agency from which the fellow originated. 

Mansfield Fellows may be either detailed from their Federal positions, or 

separated from their Federal positions with reemployment rights. 

If separated from Federal employment, they are entitled to the same rights 

and benefits as those employees covered by 5 U.S.C. 3582. The conditions 

under which an employee may continue coverage under CSRS (and FERS) 

are discussed in sections 12A3.1-4 and 1-8C of Chapter 12. 

D. Service Credit 1. Executive Order 9721 (May 10, 1946 through August 27, 1958) 

Under Previous 

Law An employee receives credit for up to 6 months of leave without pay in 

each calendar year from the date of transfer to a public international 

organization to the date of separation from the international 

organization. 

CSRS and FERS Handbook April 1998 
30 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service 

Chapter 20 

Section 20A2.2-4 Employees Transferred to International Organizations and Mansfield Fellows

 (Cont.) 

D.	 Service Credit The employee is considered to be on leave without pay from the Federal 

Under Previous agency provided he or she is reemployed by the agency from which he 

Law (Cont.) or she was transferred within 3 years of the date of transfer. Failure to 

exercise reemployment rights terminated the Federal employment as of 

the date of the transfer to the international organization. 

2. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) after August 27, 1958 

A Presidential appointee or elected official covered by CSRS who 

leaves his or her position after August 27, 1958, and within 90 days 

enters employment with the International Atomic Energy Agency 

(IAEA) obtains credit for up to 3 years of IAEA service by applying to 

OPM to pay all employee deductions and agency contributions covering 

the period of employment. 

Payment must be made to OPM within 90 days after he or she is 

separated from IAEA. (Interest is not charged on the payment of 

employee deductions and agency contributions.) Credit is not allowed 

for such service if the deposit is not paid to OPM within the required 

period. 

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 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service
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Chapter 20
 

Section 20A2.2-5 Government-Owned Corporations 

A.	 General Service with a corporation controlled by the Federal Government that meets 

all other requirements of creditable Federal service is creditable for 

retirement purposes. 

B.	 Government- A Government-controlled corporation is a corporation created by the 

Controlled Federal Government to effect a particular Federal function, or functions. 

Corporation Mere ownership of a corporation by the Federal Government, in part or in 

whole, is not sufficient to make that corporation a Government-controlled 

corporation. 

C.	 Test for 1. To establish entitlement to service credit for retirement purposes, the 

Creditable officers and employees of a Government-controlled corporation must 

Service meet the appointment, supervision, and function tests of Federal 

employment under 5 U.S.C. 2105(a) (See section 20A1.1-2C) that 

apply to all other Federal employees. 

2.	 Nonappointment service with a Government-controlled corporation is 

no different from nonappointment service with a Federal agency; it is 

not creditable. 

D.	 Reference Previous rulings in regard to Government-controlled corporations are 

contained among the summary rulings on retirement service credit in 

Appendix B. If the appendix does not address the corporation in question, 

contact your agency headquarters Retirement Counselor, who may, as 

necessary, contact the Retirement and Insurance Service at OPM. 

CSRS and FERS Handbook	 April 1998 
32 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service 

Chapter 20 

Section 20A2.2-6 Emergency Relief Agencies 

A. 

B. 

C. 

General 

Rule 

Exception 

Laws creating the various emergency relief agencies, such as the Civilian 

Conservation Corps (CCC) and Work Projects Administration (WPA), were 

in themselves emergency measures, enacted to bolster the nation's sagging 

economy during the 1930's in the Depression period. The primary aim was 

to increase the purchasing power of the populace without resorting to the 

pure dole or handout system. There was, however, no intention to increase 

the Federal workforce materially as such and, with the exception of actual 

program operations, little of the work involved was performed for the 

Federal Government. 

Persons engaged in relief project employment were basically non-Federal 

employees, and the service cannot be credited for retirement purposes. 

Credit may be allowed for service on the administrative force of emergency 

relief agencies (if paid from administrative funds) and in certain other 

limited situations. 

D. Contact Agency If an agency has an employee with this type of service and there is a 

question about whether or not it is creditable civilian service, direct your 

questions through your agency employing office to the headquarters 

Retirement Counselor who may, as necessary, contact the Retirement and 

Insurance Service at OPM. 

April 1998 CSRS and FERS Handbook 
 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service
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Chapter 20
 

Section 20A2.2-7 Service Under Other Contributory Retirement Systems 

A.	 General Rule Service under other contributory retirement systems for government 

employees (such as those for the Foreign Service and the Tennessee Valley 

Authority) may be credited toward eligibility for and computation of 

annuity if the employee is not receiving any benefits under the other system 

for the service involved. Generally, the employee must: 

•	 Take a refund of any retirement deductions under the other retirement 

system; and 

•	 Deposit the amount of the refund in the Civil Service Retirement and 

Disability Fund, with interest, from the date of refund to the date of 

deposit (excluding any period of separation from the service that began 

before October 1, 1956). 

NOTE:	 An employee may only make a deposit for service that may be 

credited under CSRS. If there is any question that some of the 

service for which the employee has received credit under the other 

retirement system might not meet the tests of Federal service, the 

employee should contact the headquarters Retirement Counselor 

before obtaining the refund. If necessary, the headquarters 

Retirement Counselor may contact the Retirement and Insurance 

Service at OPM concerning the creditability of the service. 

B.	 Exceptions The following situations do not require an employee to receive a refund of 

his or her retirement contributions from the other Federal retirement system 

to credit the service under CSRS. 

1.	 A refund is unnecessary if there is an agreement for the other retirement 

system to transfer the funds directly to OPM. The employee must 

request such a transfer. 

NOTE:	 OPM currently has agreements with the Central Intelligence 

Agency and the U.S. Department of State's Foreign Service 

for direct funds transfer. 

CSRS and FERS Handbook	 April 1998 
34 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service 

Chapter 20 

Section 20A2.2-7 Service Under Other Contributory Retirement Systems (Cont.) 

B. Exceptions 2. A refund is unnecessary when the employee is retired from another 

(Cont.)	 retirement system and has no remaining lump-sum credit. If the other 

plan will permit it, the employee may waive future retired pay under 

the other system to credit the service for civil service retirement 

purposes. 

NOTE:	 Some retirement systems, such as the D.C. Police and 

Firefighters Retirement System do not allow waivers. When 

this is the case, the employee cannot receive credit for civil 

service retirement purposes. 

April 1998	 CSRS and FERS Handbook 
 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service
 35 

Chapter 20
 

Section 20A2.2-8 Service Under Noncontributory Retirement Systems 

A.	 Rule Individuals who participate under a noncontributory retirement system must 

waive entitlement to benefits under the noncontributory retirement system 

in order to receive retirement credit for that service under CSRS. 

The service is creditable as nondeduction service, subject to the rules 

outlined in Chapter 21 for making a deposit for such service. 

CSRS and FERS Handbook	 April 1998 
36 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service 

Chapter 20 

Section 20A2.2-9 Service Covered by Social Security 

A.	 Service Covered 

Only by Social 

Security 

Federal civilian service that is excluded from CSRS coverage (most 

frequently service under a temporary appointment), because of the type of 

appointment, places the employee under Social Security coverage and is 

creditable under CSRS only if the employee receives an appointment subject 

to CSRS retirement deductions after completing the period of excluded 

(nondeduction) service. 

NOTE:	 This is true even though the employee receives or is entitled to 

receive Social Security. 

B. Service Covered Federal civilian service for which full Social Security taxes and reduced 

by CSRS and CSRS deductions are taken (CSRS Interim or Offset service) is generally 

Social Security creditable for retirement purposes under the same conditions as service for 

which full CSRS deductions are taken. (See Chapter 10 for a discussion of 

CSRS Interim and Offset service.) 

April 1998	 CSRS and FERS Handbook 
 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service
 37 

Chapter 20
 

Section 20A2.2-10 Federal Employee Assigned to State or Local Governments, Institutions of 

Higher Learning, or Nonprofit Organizations 

A.	 General Rules 1. An employee who is assigned to a State or local government, institution 

of higher learning, or certain non-profit organizations may elect 

continued retirement coverage as explained in Chapter 12, section 

12A3.1-3. 

2.	 If the employee does not elect to continue coverage and deposit the 

retirement contributions currently, he or she is considered to be in a 

leave-without-pay status during the period of the assignment. 

The employee may receive credit for up to 6 months of leave without 

pay in each calendar year from the date of assignment to the date the 

assignment ends. An employee who elects not to pay contributions may 

not pay the contributions retroactively. 

3.	 Credit for the service is not allowed if the employee or his or her 

survivor elects to receive any benefit from the entity's retirement 

system if OPM determines it is similar to CSRS or FERS. 

NOTE:	 See 5 CFR Part 334, Temporary Assignments, under the 

Intergovernmental Personnel Act. State and local 

government employees assigned to Federal agencies are still 

considered State and local government employees. Such 

service is not creditable under CSRS. 

CSRS and FERS Handbook	 April 1998 
38 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service 

Chapter 20 

Section 20A2.2-11 Credit for Service With the Cadet Nurse Corps 

A. General Public Law 99-638 (effective November 10, 1986) allows credit under 

CSRS for service with the Cadet Nurse Corps during World War II. 

B.	 Application An individual who received training as a student or graduate nurse under a 

Required by plan approved under section 2 of the Act of June 15, 1943, (57 Stat. 153) 

January 10, 1988 (that is, the Cadet Nurse Corps) is entitled to credit under CSRS if: 

•	 The service totaled 2 or more years; 

•	 The individual applied to OPM for service credit no later than 

January 10, 1988; 

•	 The individual was employed by the Federal Government in a position 

subject to retirement deductions (CSRS or FERS) at the time the 

application was filed; and 

•	 The individual makes a deposit to his or her employing agency for the 

service before separating for retirement purposes. 

NOTE:	 The "mandatory deposit" provisions do not apply to Cadet nurses 

who were trained in an institution operated by a Federal agency 

and were subsequently employed in a position under CSRS. Such 

individuals were given credit under Public Law 80-330, enacted 

August 4, 1947. 

C.	 Deposit Required The deposit is computed on the deductions that would have been taken at 

the time the service was performed, plus any applicable interest. The law 

specified the rate of compensation to be: 

•	 $15 per month for the first 9 months of study; 

•	 $20 per month for the 10th through the 21st month of study; and 

•	 $30 per month for any month in excess of 21 months. 

April 1998	 CSRS and FERS Handbook 
 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service
 39 

Chapter 20
 

Section 20A2.2-12 Commissioned Officers in the Public Health Service (PHS) 

A.	 Background Service as a commissioned officer in the Regular or Reserve Corps of the 

Public Health Service (PHS) was for many years considered civilian service 

rather than military service for civil service retirement purposes. Regular 

Corps officers were never subject to retirement deductions; however, 

reserve officers on active duty were subject to CSRS. (See Public Law 

78-410, enacted July 1, 1944.) 

Public Law 86-415 (enacted April 8, 1960) amended the civil service 

retirement law to include PHS commissioned personnel in the category of 

military personnel, effective July 1, 1960. 

B.	 Rule: PHS Periods of Regular and Reserve Corps service performed before July 1, 

Service Before 1960, are creditable for civil service retirement purposes on the same basis 

July 1, 1960 as other civilian service. 

The employee may make a deposit to the retirement fund to cover such 

service, or the time may be credited without deposit, in which case the 

annuity is reduced by 10 percent of the amount that would have been 

deducted as retirement contributions, plus any applicable interest. (See 

section 21A4.1-3F of Chapter 21 for an explanation of the treatment of 

refunded service.) 

NOTE 1:	 Service as a Regular Corps officer performed prior to July 1, 

1960, is creditable civilian service; however, such service 

cannot be counted toward the 5-year minimum civilian service 

requirement. 

NOTE 2:	 Reserve officers, unlike Regular Corps officers, were subject to 

CSRS retirement deductions while on active duty. However, if 

a reserve officer is awarded benefits under the retirement system 

for officers of the PHS, this service cannot be used for CSRS 

purposes. OPM will refund the retirement deductions made 

during active duty periods. 

NOTE 3:	 A reserve officer who is placed on inactive status continues to 

be subject to CSRS and is credited with as much of the inactive 

period as does not exceed 6 months in each calendar year to the 

termination of his or her commission or June 30, 1960, 

whichever is earlier. The salary used for annuity computations 

is the basic salary the individual would have earned had he or 

she been on active duty. 

CSRS and FERS Handbook	 April 1998 
40 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service 

Chapter 20 

Section 20A2.2-12 Commissioned Officers in the Public Health Service (PHS) (Cont.) 

C. Rule: PHS Pursuant to Public Law 86-415, commissioned officers in Public Health 

Service On or Service were placed in the same category as armed services personnel, 

After July 1, effective July 1, 1960. As a result, the rules governing credit for military 

1960 service, as explained in Chapter 22 apply to service after June 30, 1960, for 

a commissioned officer in the Public Health Service. 

D. Election Between 

Annuity and 

Social Security 

1. Public Law 86-415, which placed PHS commissioned officers in the 

category of military personnel, permits an officer or his or her survivor 

to elect Social Security credit in lieu of CSRS credit for Reserve Corps 

service performed between January 1, 1957, and June 30, 1960. Such 

an election, if made, is irrevocable. 

NOTE: An election to credit PHS Reserve Corps service from 

January 1, 1957, to June 30, 1960, under the Social Security 

system does not bar CSRS credit for PHS officer service 

before January 1, 1957, provided such service is otherwise 

creditable. 

2. Commissioned officers of the Public Health Service who transferred to 

a civil service appointment under Public Law 89-234 (the Water Quality 

Act of 1965) or Public Law 91-604 (Clean Air Amendments of 1970) 

are barred from receiving both Social Security and CSRS credit for 

commissioned officer service performed after 1956. However, the 

individual or the survivors are authorized to irrevocably elect to waive 

credit for the service under one system to secure credit under the other. 

NOTE: If the employees had not transferred under these provisions, 

they would be able to use the service for both purposes, 

provided they make a deposit for post-1956 service. 

April 1998 CSRS and FERS Handbook 
 CSRS	 Creditable Civilian Service 41 

Chapter 20 

Section 20A2.2-13 Miscellaneous 

A.	 Merchant Marine 1. Generally, service in the Merchant Marine is not creditable for 

Service	 retirement purposes. Prior to March 23, 1943, however, certain 

individuals appointed as employees of the U.S. Shipping Board, the 

War Shipping Administration, or the Maritime Commission to serve on 

a Merchant Marine vessel received civilian service credit for retirement 

purposes. Effective March 23, 1943, Public Law 78-17 provided that 

Merchant Marine service would no longer be creditable for CSRS 

retirement purposes. 

2.	 Under section 401 of Public Law 95-202, some Merchant Marine 

service is treated as military service for purposes of the laws 

administered by the Department of Veterans' Affairs, and some 

employees have received a military discharge for that Merchant Marine 

service. Neither the statute nor the discharge makes that service 

creditable for CSRS retirement purposes. 

3.	 If a question arises as to the creditability of such service, contact your 

agency's headquarters Retirement Counselor for assistance. If 

necessary, the agency's headquarters Retirement Counselor may write 

to OPM for a determination. 

B.	 Women's Army Service in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) performed prior to 

Auxiliary Corps	 August 12, 1943, is creditable as civilian service. The deposit due is based 

on pay at the rate of $50.00 per month to April 19, 1943, and $66.00 per 

month from April 20, 1943, through August 11, 1943. As of August 12, 

1943, service with the Women's Army Corps (WAC) is creditable as 

military service. 

C.	 Coast and 1. Service performed as a commissioned officer in the Coast and Geodetic 

Geodetic Survey Survey and Environmental Science Services Administration before 

and July 1, 1961, is creditable as nondeduction service for civil service 

Environmental retirement purposes on the same basis as any other civilian 

Science Services nondeduction service provided it is not used as a basis for other 

Administration retirement benefits. 

An employee having such service may make a deposit to the retirement 

fund to cover the service or the time may be credited without deposit, 

and the annuity reduced by 10 percent of the amount owed for deposit. 

2.	 Service on or after July 1, 1961, as a commissioned officer in the Coast 

and Geodetic Survey and Environmental Science Services 

Administration (now the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration) is in the same category as military service and subject 

to the rules governing credit for such service. 

CSRS and FERS Handbook	 April 1998 
42 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service 

Chapter 20 

Section 20A2.2-13 Miscellaneous (Cont.) 

C.	 Coast and 

Geodetic Survey 

and 

Environmental 

Science Services 

Administration 

(Cont.) 

D.	 Food Service 

Employees of the 

House of 

Representatives 

From October 18, 1986, to August 5, 1991, Public Law 99-500 (enacted 

October 18, 1986) made it possible for food service employees of the House 

of Representatives to retain CSRS coverage and benefits following the 

transfer of food service operations to a private contractor. 

The Congressional employees who were food service employees of the 

contractor on January 3, 1987, must have elected, no later than January 2, 

1987, to stay under CSRS. Those who made the election have the same 

retirement coverage as if they were still Congressional employees. 

Congressional food service employees who elected to stay under CSRS are 

covered by Social Security because they also are employees of the 

contractor. Therefore, the service is subject to the CSRS Offset provisions. 

(See Chapter 10, section 10A1.1-2, paragraph E.) The contractor withheld 

employee deductions and made the required 7.5 percent employer 

contributions to the CSRS. On August 5, 1991, the contract was terminated 

and Food Service employees again became Federal employees. 

E.	 House Child Care 

Center 

Employees 

EXCEPTION: An employee who leaves his or her civilian position 

after June 30, 1961, during a period of war or national 

emergency to serve as a commissioned officer in the 

Coast and Geodetic Survey is, unless he or she receives 

a refund, considered on military furlough for the period 

of commissioned officer service but not to exceed 5 

years. (See section 22A6.1-2 and 1-3 in Chapter 22 for 

further details.) 

Service with the House of Representatives Child Care Center is creditable 

as Congressional employee service if it is performed >on or after 

October 1, 1991,< or if the employee: 

•	 performed the service before October 1, 1991; 

•	 was an employee of the Center on August 11, 1993; 

•	 had CSRS or FERS coverage on August 11, 1993, and 

•	 pays a deposit based on the deductions in effect for Congressional 

employees for the period of service, plus interest. 

There is no ending date for eligibility to make the deposit. However, 

retirement credit cannot be allowed unless the full amount of the required 

deposit has been paid. 

April 1998	 CSRS and FERS Handbook 
 CSRS	 Creditable Civilian Service 43 

Chapter 20 

Section 20A2.2-13 Miscellaneous (Cont.) 

F.	 U.S. Office of 

Thrift 

Supervision 

Employees 

The Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act 

(FIRREA) of August 9, 1989, created the U.S. Office of Thrift Supervision 

(OTS) and provided for the transfer to OTS of Federal Home Loan Bank 

personnel who were performing functions or activities on behalf of the 

former Federal Home Loan Bank Board. This transfer was generally 

effected on October 8, 1989. Transferees were given the choice of 

retirement systems. They could choose to be covered by the Financial 

Institutions Retirement Fund (FIRA) or they could be covered by the 

Federal retirement system appropriate to their prior service history (CSRS, 

CSRS Offset, or FERS). Employees initially covered under CSRS or 

CSRS Offset were given a special extension of their six-month opportunity 

to elect to transfer to FERS coverage. An election of FERS could have 

been retroactive to October 22, 1989, at the employee's request. However, 

under this special extension, elections of FERS coverage by the transferees 

must have been filed no later than April 15, 1991. 

G.	 The District of 

Columbia 

Financial Control 

Authority (The 

Authority) 

Federal employees separating from Federal service and other individuals 

employed by the Authority are allowed to elect to be deemed a Federal 

employee while employed with the Authority for the purposes of CSRS, 

FERS, FEHB, and FEGLI. Certain employees of the Authority are also 

eligible to participate in the Thrift Savings Plan. The basic rule established 

in law is that employees of the Authority must elect to be covered by 

Federal benefits or District of Columbia benefits. Beginning October 26, 

1996, individuals appointed by the Authority to a position not excluded 

from CSRS or FERS coverage (such as service under a temporary or 

intermittent appointment) may elect to be deemed a Federal employee for 

CSRS or FERS purposes unless the employee elects to participate in a 

retirement, health, or life insurance program offered by the District of 

Columbia. However, a former Federal employee being appointed by the 

Authority on or after October 26, 1996, no more than 3 days (not counting 

District of Columbia holidays) after separation from Federal employment, 

cannot elect to be deemed a Federal employee for CSRS or FERS purposes 

unless the election was made before separation from Federal employment. 

Federal employees may be detailed to the Authority and they retain their 

status as Federal employees while on detail. 

CSRS and FERS Handbook	 April 1998 
44 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service 

Chapter 20 

Section 20A2.2-13 Miscellaneous (Cont.) 

H. District of 

Columbia Courts 

As of October 1, 1997, nonjudicial employees of the District of Columbia 

courts are treated as employees of the Federal Government for CSRS, 

FERS, FEGLI, FEHB, and the Thrift Savings Plan. A Federal employee 

retains CSRS or FERS coverage, if he or she transfers, with a break in 

service of 3 days or less, to the DC Corrections Trustee or the DC Pretrial 

Services, Defense Services, Parole, Adult Probation and Offender 

Supervision Trustee as an employee. Federal employees detailed to the DC 

Courts retain their status as Federal employees and, therefore, retain 

Federal benefits coverage. 

I. U.S. Enrichment 

Corporation 

Former Federal employees employed by the U.S. Enrichment Corporation 

immediately preceding privatization in 1996 could elect to retain their 

CSRS or FERS coverage. 

J. Civilian 

Marksmanship 

Corporation 

Federal employees of the Department of Defense, Civilian Marksmanship 

Program, as of September 30, 1996, who were employed by the Civilian 

Marksmanship Corporation (Corporation) as of October 1, 1996, could 

continue to be eligible, during continuous employment with the 

Corporation, for coverage under CSRS or FERS, FEHB, and similar 

benefits such as FEGLI. 

K. U.S. Holocaust 

Memorial 

Council and U.S. 

Holocaust 

Memorial 

Museum 

Prior to September 20, 1992, if an employee of the U.S. Holocaust 

Memorial Council (Council) was paid from Federal funds, he/she was 

considered a Federal employee. If an employee of the Council was paid 

from donated funds, he/she was not considered a Federal employee. From 

September 20, 1992, to April 3, 1993, all employees of the Council were 

paid from donated funds and thus were not considered Federal employees. 

On April 4, 1993, all employees became employees of the U.S. Holocaust 

Memorial Museum and were paid from Federal funds. Thus, they are 

considered Federal employees. 

April 1998 CSRS and FERS Handbook 
 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service 45 

Chapter 20 

Subpart 20A2.3 Unused Sick Leave 

Section 20A2.3-1 Unused Sick Leave 

A.	 General Rule 1. The service of an employee is increased by the days of unused sick 

leave to his or her credit under a formal leave system if the employee: 

•	 Retires on an immediate annuity (that is, one that begins to accrue 

no later than 1 month after the employee is separated); or 

•	 Dies in service leaving a widow or widower entitled to survivor 

annuity. 

NOTE:	 In the case of a retiree receiving an annuity that stops when he or 

she is reinstated to a covered position (for example, a 

discontinued service annuitant or a disability annuitant found 

recovered or restored to earning capacity), sick leave credited in 

the computation of the retiree's annuity is not recredited to the 

individual's leave account during the period of reemployment. 

However, the sick leave will be credited in the individual's 

annuity computation when he or she retires again, or dies leaving 

an eligible survivor. 

2.	 A separated employee entitled to a deferred annuity beginning at age 62 

is not entitled to retirement credit for unused sick leave. 

B.	 Definition of a 

Formal Leave 

System 

For purposes of crediting unused sick leave, a formal leave system is one 

provided for by law or regulation, or operating under written rules 

specifying a group or class of employees to which it applies and the rate at 

which sick leave accrues. 

Employees under the leave program in the executive branch are covered by 

a formal leave system. Employees not subject to that program may be 

covered by another sick leave plan that meets this definition. The sick 

leave must be available for use at time of retirement. 

EXCEPTION: Presidential Appointees, see paragraph D. 

The employee must be under a formal leave system on the day of retirement 

or death in service to get credit for the unused sick leave. For example, an 

employee who transfers from the executive branch (under a formal leave 

system) to a legislative branch position (not under a formal leave system) 

and retires or dies in service does not get credit for any previously 

accumulated sick leave in computing the monthly benefit due. (See 

paragraph E.) 

CSRS and FERS Handbook	 April 1998 
46 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service 

Chapter 20 

Section 20A2.3-1 Unused Sick Leave (Cont.) 

C.	 Restrictions The days of unused sick leave are used only to determine the number of 

years and months of service for annuity computation purposes; they cannot 

be used to compute the employee's high-3 average pay or to meet the 

minimum length of service required for retirement eligibility. 

D. Presidential	 Effective October 25, 1978, for annuity computation purposes, the service 

Appointees	 of a Presidential appointee is increased by the days of unused sick leave that 

have been held in abeyance from the date of the Presidential appointment if 

the employee: 

•	 Had been covered by sick leave immediately preceding the Presidential 

appointment; 

•	 Retires on an immediate annuity; or 

•	 Dies, leaving a widow or widower entitled to survivor annuity. 

NOTE:	 If the employee elects to retire directly from a Presidential 

appointment, the unused sick leave (including any sick leave that 

has been held in abeyance from the date of the Presidential 

appointment) must be posted in the remarks column under service 

history on the SF 2806, Individual Retirement Record. 

E.	 Determining 1. When an employee is charged 8 hours of sick leave for 1 day's absence, 

Amount of Sick each 8 hours of unused sick leave constitutes 1 day of credit. 

Leave To Be 

Credited Hours are converted to years, months, and days on the basis of a 2087­

hour work year. Days are converted to years, months, and days on the 

basis of a 260-day work year. No additional sick leave credit based on 

the unused sick leave is allowable, that is, no "leave on leave." 

NOTE:	 The 2087-hour work year chart (Chart 2) and the 260-day 

work year chart (Chart 3) are in Chapter 50, Computation of 

Annuity Under the General Formula, section 50C1.1-1. 

2.	 When an employee has an uncommon tour of duty and is charged more 

or less than 8 hours of sick leave for 1 day's absence, total service is 

increased by the number of days in the period between the date of 

separation and the date the unused sick leave would have expired if the 

employee had used it (except that holidays falling within the period are 

treated as workdays, and no additional leave credit is earned for that 

period). The date such sick leave would expire is posted on the 

SF 2806. 

April 1998	 CSRS and FERS Handbook 
 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service 47 

Chapter 20 

Section 20A2.3-1 Unused Sick Leave (Cont.) 

F. Determining 

Total Length of 

Service 

To determine the length of service for annuity computation purposes, all 

periods of an employee's creditable service and the period represented by 

unused sick leave are added and any fractional part of a month in the total is 

eliminated. 

EXAMPLE: An employee with two periods of service, one of 12 years 6 

months and 20 days, and the other of 18 years 3 months and 

15 days, and with 856 hours (107 days or 4 months and 28 

days) of unused sick leave to his or her credit at retirement, 

is credited with 31 years and 3 months service for annuity 

computation purposes. 

G. Effect on 80­

Percent 

Maximum 

Annuity 

The basic annuity of an employee may not exceed 80 percent of the high-3 

average salary. However, annuity in excess of the 80 percent that is 

produced by crediting unused sick leave is payable. (See Chapter 50, 

section 50A3.1-2.) 

CSRS and FERS Handbook April 1998 
48 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service 

Chapter 20 

Part 20A3 Amount of Creditable Civilian Service 

Section 20A3.1-1 Amount of Creditable Civilian Service 

A.	 Periods of 1. Credit is granted for all absence with pay. Generally, credit is allowed 

Absence: for periods in a nonpay status (for example, leave without pay, 

General suspension, furlough, and absence without leave) that do not exceed a 

total of 6 months in any calendar year. 

2.	 Also, a person who separated from civilian service to enter essential 

outside employment (for example, merchant marine, war industry, and 

National Guard training) between 1941 and 1948 with restoration rights 

under the mandatory provisions of any law, regulation, or executive 

order, and who was restored (that is, reemployed by the same Federal 

agency) under these mandatory rights, receives credit for so much of 

the intervening period as does not exceed 6 months in a calendar year. 

3.	 There are special provisions governing credit for periods of leave 

without pay when the employee is: 

•	 On LWOP-military (formerly military furlough) or is separated to 

enter military service during a period of war or national emergency 

(see Chapter 22); 

•	 Receiving workers' compensation (see paragraph B, below); or 

•	 Granted leave without pay to serve as a full-time officer or 

employee of an employee organization (see section 20A2.1-6). 

B. Workers' 

Compensation 

If an employee is receiving benefits from the Office of Workers' 

Compensation Programs, credit is given for the entire period of 

compensation if he or she is carried on the rolls of the agency in a leave 

without pay (LWOP) status. Also, credit is allowed for all of the period of 

separation during which a former employee was in receipt of workers' 

compensation, regardless of the type of appointment, provided the person is 

reemployed in Federal service and establishes title to annuity based on a 

subsequent separation. However, periods of separation in which an 

employee is in receipt of workers' compensation cannot be used to meet the 

"1-out-of-2" requirement to establish title to a nondisability annuity. (See 

Chapter 102, Relationship Between Annuity and Compensation for Workrelated Injuries and Diseases.) 

April 1998	 CSRS and FERS Handbook 
 CSRS	 Creditable Civilian Service 49 

Chapter 20
 

Section 20A3.1-1 Amount of Creditable Civilian Service (Cont.)
 

C. Intermittent
 

Service
 

Generally, an individual is an intermittent employee when he or she is nonfull-time and does not have a prearranged regularly scheduled tour of duty 

(see 5 CFR Part 340, Other than Full-Time Employment). Agencies have 

not always been consistent in their use of terms identifying non-full-time 

service, however. Some records may show a WAE, an L.A., etc. When 

determining how much service credit to give an individual, certain basic 

rules apply. 

1.	 With certain exceptions specified below, an employee working under a 

when-actually-employed (WAE) appointment can only receive credit for 

the time he or she actually served. 

•	 If records are available showing exactly what days the employee 

worked, credit should be allowed for a full day of service so long as 

the employee worked at least 1 hour in the day. If the employee 

worked more than 8 hours in 1 day, however, he or she should not 

receive credit for more than the actual calendar time employed. For 

example, an employee who worked 16 hours in 1 day is credited 

with only 1 day of service. 

•	 If available records only show the total number of hours worked, 

for service on or after March 1, 1986, use the 2087 hour sick leave 

chart to convert hours into total months and days worked. 

NOTE 1:	 The 2087-hour work year chart (Chart 2. -- Sick Leave 

Chart 2087 Hours) and the 260-day work year chart 

(Chart 3. -- 260 Day Work Year Chart) are in 

Chapter 50, section 50C1.1-1. 

NOTE 2:	 Prior to March 1, 1986, a 2,080-hour basis was used to 

derive hourly rates of pay from annual rates. This was 

consistent with a 260-day work year. Effective March 

1, 1986, Public Law 99-272 prescribed a 2,087-hour 

basis (for budgetary purposes) but no change was made 

in the 260-day work year. 

•	 For Service before March 1, 1986, for most agencies, unless a 

different schedule is shown, use 8 hours for a day, 313 days for a 

year before July 1, 1945; and 260 days for a year after June 30, 

1945. For example, if the established work year is 260 days, and 

the employee was in a pay status 130 days, he or she is allowed 

credit for 6 months' service. 

CSRS and FERS Handbook	 April 1998 
50 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service 

Chapter 20 

Section 20A3.1-1 Amount of Creditable Civilian Service (Cont.) 

C. Intermittent	 NOTE: Consider the number of days in a pay status in relation to 

Service (Cont.)	 the established work year when computing the total 

months and days worked. 

2.	 Some appointments may be designated as intermittent or WAE even 

though they have more of the characteristics of a "seasonal" 

appointment. Except for employees of the Internal Revenue Service 

prior to October 1, 1980, when such an employee's records show that 

he or she was placed in a leave-without-pay status after being on a fulltime or a part-time work schedule, allow credit for the days actually 

worked and for the period of leave without pay that does not exceed 6 

months in a calendar year. 

•	 Such appointments were given by the Forest Service (forestry 

technicians/forest guards) and by the Customs Service (customs 

inspectors). 

•	 Prior to October 1, 1980, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) placed 

their seasonal employees in a nonwork, WAE, or intermittent status 

during the off-season. For retirement purposes, such employees do 

not receive credit for time reported as "nonwork" time between 

seasons. After October 1, 1980, however, IRS employees should 

also receive credit for the period actually worked and for the period 

of leave without pay that does not exceed 6 months in a calendar 

year. 

3.	 Regular postal employees are entitled to receive credit for service in the 

usual manner, that is, full-time less any excess leave. Some postal 

employees, however, serve under appointments that require them to 

work intermittently. They are entitled to service credit as explained 

below. 

Service in the following positions, although intermittent, receives full 

calendar time credit for entitlement purposes provided the employee 

was subject to call -­

Part-Time Flexible Clerk 

Part-Time Flexible Carrier 

Part-Time Flexible Clerk

 (Substitute) 

Part-Time Flexible Railway

 Mail Clerk 

Substitute Rural Carrier 

Temporary Rural Carrier 

Auxiliary Rural Carrier 

April 1998	 CSRS and FERS Handbook 
 CSRS	 Creditable Civilian Service 51 

Chapter 20 

Section 20A3.1-1 Amount of Creditable Civilian Service (Cont.) 

C.	 Intermittent • If a postal employee in one of the positions listed above does not 

Service (Cont.)	 perform actual service, it is not considered a period of absence so 

long as the employee is subject to call. However, periods during 

which the employee is excused from call or is on furlough are 

subject to the general rule concerning periods of absence in excess 

of an aggregate of 6 months during any calendar year. 

•	 Temporary (Casual) Christmas postal employees receive full credit 

for their service from appointment date to date of separation. If the 

only record available is a payroll record showing the total number 

of hours worked, the service is credited allowing 1 day's service for 

each 8 hours worked, so long as the total does not exceed the 

calendar time for the payroll period or periods involved. 

4.	 If there is any question about how much service credit should be 

allowed for a period of employment, contact your agency's Retirement 

Counselor for assistance. If necessary, the agency's headquarters 

Retirement Counselor may write to OPM for a determination. 

D.	 Breaks in Service Separations of only 1, 2, or 3 calendar days are not deducted in computing 

total creditable service. No credit is allowed, however, for any period of 

separation that exceeds 3 calendar days. 

E.	 Periods for 1. Public Law 101-508 changed the CSRS provision regarding civilian 

Which Refunds service redeposits. For an employee whose nondisability annuity 

Have Been Made commences on or after December 2, 1990, and who retires owing a 

redeposit for civilian service that ended before October 1, 1990, a 

redeposit will not be required. Full credit will be allowed in computing 

the length of service for annuity purposes, but the annuity will be 

actuarially reduced. The reduction will be the amount that would result 

if an alternative annuity lump sum in the amount of the redeposit had 

been paid. To compute this reduction, OPM will use the same actuarial 

factors used to determine alternative annuity reductions. 

2.	 All employees retiring on disability and all employees -- unless they are 

eligible for and elect an alternative annuity -- who received a refund for 

service ending on or after October 1, 1990, must still pay a redeposit to 

OPM to receive credit for the refunded service. If the redeposit is not 

paid, the service is creditable toward eligibility to retire and for high-3 

average salary, but is not used to compute the benefit payable.+ 

CSRS and FERS Handbook	 April 1998 
52 CSRS	 Creditable Civilian Service 

Chapter 20 

Section 20A3.1-1 Amount of Creditable Civilian Service (Cont.) 

F.	 Nondeduction Generally, an employee is not required to make a deposit for a period of 

Service	 service during which retirement deductions were not taken from the 

employee's pay (nondeduction service) -- such payments are entirely 

voluntary. However, the way such service will be treated in the 

computation of the annuity will depend upon whether the deposit is paid, or 

deemed paid, if the employee is eligible for and elects the alternative 

annuity. 

1.	 For a period of nondeduction service performed before October 1, 

1982, credit may generally be given without deposit; however, the 

employee's annuity will be subject to the reduction explained in section 

21A2.1-3B of Chapter 21. 

2.	 For a period of nondeduction service performed after September 30, 

1982, credit will not be included in computing the annuity. However, 

the service does count to establish eligibility for retirement and to 

compute average salary. (See section 21A2.1-3D of Chapter 21.) 

G.	 Part-Time When an employee has served on a part-time basis (non-full-time service 

Service	 with a prearranged regularly scheduled tour of duty) such as 4 hours a day, 

5 days a week, full credit is allowed for entitlement purposes for all time 

elapsing between date of appointment and date of separation. Full credit is 

also allowed for employees who served on a part-time basis of 16 to 32 

hours per week under the Federal Employees Part-Time Career Act of 1978 

(Public Law 95-437, approved October 10, 1978). For computation 

guidance, see Chapter 55, Computation for Part-Time Employees. 

H.	 Restoration After 1. When an employee's removal or suspension is held to have been 

Removal or improper and the separation is canceled by administrative or judicial 

Suspension action, the person is considered for retirement purposes to have been 

employed in the service during the intervening period of erroneous 

separation or suspension. 

2.	 If the employee's separation is canceled with entitlement to back pay 

(regardless of whether any adjusted back pay is actually awarded or 

not), retirement deductions -- from both the employee and the agency -­

are due for the entire period of separation on the employee's full basic 

pay. If the employee's adjusted back pay award does not cover the 

amount of the employee retirement deductions due or the employee does 

not make payment of the required employee deduction to the agency, 

the employee may deposit the retirement deductions by applying to 

OPM under the procedures described in Chapter 21. 

April 1998	 CSRS and FERS Handbook 
 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service
 53 

Chapter 20
 

Section 20A3.1-1 Amount of Creditable Civilian Service (Cont.) 

H.	 Restoration After 3. If the employee is not entitled to pay (that is, the employee's separation 

Removal or is canceled and he or she is placed in a leave-without pay status), 

Suspension retirement credit is allowed for as much of the intervening period 

(Cont.) without pay as does not exceed 6 months in any calendar year. 

I.	 Terminal Leave A lump-sum payment covering accrued and accumulated leave is not 

considered pay for retirement purposes, and no credit is allowed for the 

period covered by the payment. 

J.	 Fractional Part of 

a Month in Total 

Service 

In computing an employee's creditable service, the fractional part of a 

month in the aggregate service is eliminated. 

EXAMPLE: An employee who has had two periods of creditable service, 

one of 12 years 6 months and 20 days duration and the other of 18 years 3 

months and 15 days duration, is given credit for a total of 30 years and 10 

months of service. (See subpart 20A2.3 above regarding credit for unused 

sick leave.) 

CSRS and FERS Handbook	 April 1998 
54 Creditable Civilian Service	 FERS 

Chapter 20 

Subchapter 20B FERS 

Part 20B1 General Information 

Section 20B1.1-1 Overview 

A.	 Introduction Subchapter 20B contains the rules and procedures that apply to creditable 

service under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). 

This subchapter explains how FERS differs from CSRS. It refers readers to 

the CSRS rule that applies or gives the FERS rule if it is different. 

B. Organization of The FERS subchapter has three parts: 

Subchapter 

Part Name of Part Page 

20B1 General Information 52 

20B2 Types of Creditable Civilian 

Service 55 

20B3 Amount of Creditable Civilian 

Service 58 

C.	 Statement of This subchapter is based on the laws and regulations cited below. 

Authority 

• United States Code: 5 U.S.C. 8411 

• Code of Federal Regulations: 5 CFR 842, Subpart C; 5 CFR 846.302 

April 1998	 CSRS and FERS Handbook 
Creditable Civilian Service	 FERS 55 

Chapter 20 

Section 20B1.1-2 Concept of Creditable Service 

A.	 General The FERS Act provides that, with certain exceptions, service creditable 

under CSRS is potentially creditable under FERS. 

However, there are some important conceptual differences between CSRS 

and FERS in regard to service credit. These differences are discussed in 

the paragraphs that follow. 

B.	 Rules 1. Under FERS, no credit is given for any retirement purpose (eligibility 

for benefits or computation of annuity) unless the employee's 

deductions or a deposit is in the retirement fund for the period of 

service. 

2.	 A redeposit cannot be made for service for which there has been a 

refund of FERS deductions. Consequently, under FERS, refunded 

service can never again become creditable for any retirement purpose. 

3.	 Nondeduction service performed before January 1, 1989, is creditable 

for retirement purposes if a deposit is made. Nondeduction service 

performed on or after January 1, 1989, except for Peace Corps and 

VISTA volunteer service, is not creditable for any retirement purpose. 

NOTE:	 Deposits that are refunded after FERS coverage began cannot 

be repaid. 

4.	 Under certain circumstances, service originally covered under CSRS 

can become subject to FERS credit and computation rules. This occurs 

when -­

•	 An employee who is automatically covered by FERS had some 

previous service under CSRS, but not enough to meet the 5-year 

test (see Chapter 10), or 

•	 An employee who elects to transfer to FERS does not have 5 years 

of non-offset service at the time of transfer (see paragraph C 

below). 

Payments can be made to credit this type of service, including payments for 

service covered by CSRS for which contributions were refunded based on a 

refund application filed before the employee was first covered under 

FERS. However, as noted above, payments that are refunded after FERS 

coverage begins cannot be repaid. 

CSRS and FERS Handbook	 April 1998 
56 Creditable Civilian Service FERS 

Chapter 20 

Section 20B1.1-2 Concept of Creditable Service (Cont.) 

C. Transferees With Employees who elect to transfer to FERS may receive annuity computed 

a CSRS Annuity partly under FERS rules and partly under CSRS rules. An employee who 

Component has 5 or more years of creditable civilian CSRS service (not counting any 

CSRS Offset service) will be entitled to benefits computed under CSRS 

rules for service prior to transferring to FERS. The rules outlined in 

subchapter A of this Chapter cover all service in a CSRS component. 

Service from the effective date of the transfer forward comes under FERS 

rules. 

April 1998 CSRS and FERS Handbook 
Creditable Civilian Service	 FERS 57 

Chapter 20 

Part 20B2 Types of Creditable Civilian Service 

Section 20B2.1-1 Service Under 5 U.S.C. 8411 

A.	 General Section 8411 of title 5 of the United States Code specifies periods of service

that are creditable under FERS for retirement purposes. These periods of 

service are listed in paragraph B below. 

B.	 Service Creditable service under 5 U.S.C. 8411 includes: 

Creditable Under 

Section 8411 • Covered service (that is, service subject to FERS retirement 

deductions), after December 31, 1986, unless it is refunded; 

•	 Service for which full Social Security taxes and full or reduced CSRS 

deductions were taken between January 1, 1984, and December 31, 

1986, inclusively, if the CSRS deductions were not refunded after the 

employee became subject to FERS; 

•	 Nondeduction service (that is, temporary or intermittent service) 

performed before January 1, 1989, that would be creditable under 

5 U.S.C. 8332 if a deposit for such service is made; and 

•	 A period of service that was creditable under the Foreign Service 

Pension System (FSPS), if the employee waives credit for such service 

under FSPS and makes a payment to the retirement fund equal to the 

amount that would have been deducted from pay (plus interest) had the 

employee been subject to FERS coverage during such period of service; 

and 

•	 Full-time service as a volunteer or volunteer leader with the Peace 

Corps or VISTA performed at any time prior to separation, if a deposit 

has been made for the service. Credit is given for satisfactory volunteer 

service with these organizations (excluding training time) without 

regard to when the service was performed or the individual's eligibility 

for Social Security benefits. The deposit rules changed with the passage 

of Public Law 103-82, the National and Community Service Trust Act 

of 1993 and Domestic Volunteer Service Act Amendments of 1993. 

(See Chapter 21, Service Credit Payments for Civilian Service, for 

detailed information on Peace Corps or VISTA volunteer service credit 

payments.) 

C.	 Nondeduction Nondeduction service, including radio broadcast service, performed after 

Service December 31, 1988, is not creditable under FERS. 

Performed After 

1988 NOTE: Even though nondeduction service or service for which a refund 

has been received is not creditable under FERS for retirement 

purposes, the service may be used for leave and RIF purposes. 

(See The Guide to Processing Personnel Actions (formerly FPM 

296-33.) 

CSRS and FERS Handbook	 April 1998 
58 Creditable Civilian Service	 FERS 

Chapter 20 

Section 20B2.1-2 Other Creditable Service 

A.	 Applicable CSRS The types of service that are listed as creditable under CSRS in subpart 

Provisions	 20A3 are creditable under FERS, with certain exceptions. The exceptions 

are noted below. 

B.	 Service Under Generally, service as a Federal employee performed under another Federal 

Other Federal retirement system for government employees is potentially creditable under 

Retirement both CSRS and FERS. 

Systems 

1.	 If there is a CSRS annuity component to the FERS annuity, and the 

service was performed before the employee was first covered by FERS, 

CSRS rules apply to the transfer of contributions and the service with 

the other retirement system is included in the CSRS annuity component. 

2.	 If there is no CSRS annuity component, but the service was performed 

before January 1, 1989, the employee must generally take a refund from 

the other retirement system (or otherwise waive entitlement to any 

benefits under the system) and make a deposit to the retirement fund of 

1.3 percent of earnings plus interest under the regular FERS provisions 

(5 U.S.C. 8411(f)(2)). 

3.	 When there is no CSRS annuity component, credit for service 

performed under another retirement system after 1988 cannot be 

transferred, since deposit service after 1988 is not creditable under 

FERS rules. The only exception to this rule is service creditable under 

the Foreign Service Pension System (FSPS). Credit for FSPS service 

can be transferred to FERS, even if the service was performed after 

1988. 

C.	 Service Covered 

Only by Social 

Security 

D.	 Employees of the 

Senate Employee 

Child Care 

Center 

Civilian service that, because of the type of appointment, is not subject to 

CSRS or FERS but is only subject to Social Security, is creditable if the 

employee later becomes subject to the FERS retirement system only if it 

was performed prior to January 1, 1989, and a deposit is made. 

The Senate Employee Child Care Center is a nonprofit corporation 

established under authority of S. Res 269, 98th Cong., 1st Sess. 

(1983)(enacted). Although employees of the Center are not considered 

Federal employees under section 320 of Public Law 102-391, they may 

elect to become covered under FERS. All service with the Center may be 

credited under FERS upon payment of a service credit deposit. (See 

Chapter 12 for additional information.) 

April 1998	 CSRS and FERS Handbook 
Creditable Civilian Service	 FERS 59 

Chapter 20 

Section 20B2.1-2 Other Creditable Service (Cont.) 

NOTE:	 The information in this section has not been updated to reflect the additional retirement credit 

opportunities for FERS employees who moved between nonappropriated fund (NAF) and 

civil service positions after December 31, 1965, provided by Public Law 104-106, the 

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996, which was approved February 10, 

1996. These provisions, which took effect August 10, 1996, allow certain FERS employees 

to elect to return retroactively to NAF retirement plan coverage or to remain covered by 

FERS and obtain FERS service credit for a period of service under a NAF retirement plan. 

See Benefits Administration Letter 96-108, dated September 6, 1996, for more information 

about these changes. You can download the letter from OPM ONLINE computer bulletin 

board by following the instructions in Chapter 1. 

CSRS and FERS Handbook	 April 1998 
60 Creditable Civilian Service	 FERS 

Chapter 20 

Section 20B2.1-3 Unused Sick Leave 

A.	 General Rule 

B.	 Rule: 

Transferees 

Under FERS, unused sick leave is not creditable for annuity computation 

purposes. 

1.	 For individuals who transferred to FERS without a CSRS annuity 

component, follow the general rule (paragraph A above). 

2.	 Individuals who transferred to FERS with a CSRS annuity component 

may receive credit for the amount of unused sick leave they had at date 

of transfer or date of retirement, whichever is less, on the CSRS 

component only. 

EXAMPLE 1: Joan had 15 years of CSRS service when she elected to 

transfer to FERS. At the time of transfer, she had a sick leave balance of 

1,272 hours. 

Two years later (with an increased sick leave balance of 1,480 hours), Joan 

underwent major surgery. During her convalescence, her sick leave balance 

dwindled to 440 hours. She returned to work, and after 3 years, retired 

optionally at age 60. At the time of her retirement, Joan's sick leave 

balance had increased to 700 hours. 

The unused sick leave at time of retirement (700 hours) is less than the 

unused sick leave at date of transfer (1,272). Thus, 700 hours of sick leave 

is added to her length of service in the CSRS annuity component. 

EXAMPLE 2: Maurice had 20 years under CSRS when he elected to 

transfer to FERS. At the date of transfer, he had 1,600 hours of unused 

sick leave to his credit. After only 2 years under FERS, Maurice died in 

service. At date of death, he had a sick leave balance of 1,760 hours. 

Under FERS, the surviving spouse receives 50 percent of the deceased 

employee's earned annuity at date of death. The earned annuity in this 

instance has both a CSRS and FERS annuity component. 

The sick leave balance at time of transfer (1,600 hours) is less than the sick 

leave balance at date of death (1,760 hours). As a result, 1,600 hours of 

unused sick leave is used in computing the CSRS annuity component of the 

deceased employee's earned annuity. 

April 1998	 CSRS and FERS Handbook 
Creditable Civilian Service	 FERS 61 

Chapter 20 

Part 20B3 Amount of Creditable Civilian Service 

Section 20B3.1-1 Amount of Creditable Civilian Service 

A.	 Applicable CSRS 

Provision 

B.	 Periods for 

Which Refunds 

Have Been Made 

C.	 Nondeduction 

Service 

The CSRS provisions discussed in part 20A3 apply to service performed 

under FERS, with certain exceptions. The exceptions are noted below. 

Service under FERS for which retirement deductions have been refunded to 

an employee is not included in length of service for eligibility or annuity 

computation purposes. 

EXAMPLE: George was employed under a career appointment from 1988 

to 1992. When he resigned in 1992, he applied for and received a refund of 

his FERS deductions. If he ever returns to Federal service, this 1988-1992 

period will not be creditable for any purpose for a future FERS benefit -­

not for eligibility to retire or for computation of his benefits. 

1.	 Nondeduction service performed under FERS prior to January 1, 1989, 

is not creditable for any retirement purpose unless a deposit is made, 

and deposits that are refunded after FERS coverage begins cannot be 

redeposited. 

EXAMPLE 1: Laura was employed in a temporary appointment from 

February 1, 1987 to September 30, 1987. On November 1, 1987, she 

received a career conditional appointment and became covered by FERS. 

Laura must pay a deposit for her temporary service for it to count toward 

eligibility to retire and in the computation of her annuity. 

EXAMPLE 2: Assume that in the above example Laura paid the deposit 

in 1990 for her temporary service in 1987. In 1992, she resigned and 

received a refund of all her FERS contributions. If she ever returns to 

Federal service, she cannot receive credit for either period of service for 

eligibility to retire or in the computation of an annuity. 

2.	 Nondeduction service performed on or after January 1, 1989, is not 

creditable for any retirement purpose. 

CSRS and FERS Handbook	 April 1998 
62 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service	 FERS 

Chapter 20
 

Appendix A
 

Verification of Civilian Service
 

A. General 

Service performed by an employee is creditable toward retirement benefits only if that service has 

been verified; that is, only if an acceptable record of it is on file. 

Verification of service is not synonymous with creditability of service. Service may not be credited 

unless it is verified. However, not all verified service is creditable. OPM is responsible for 

determining the creditability of verified service. Alleged service that is clearly not creditable for 

retirement purposes need not be verified. Paragraphs B through H provide general guidance for the 

verification of creditable service. Paragraph I begins the guidance for verification of specific types 

of creditable service for which special instructions and addresses are necessary. Your request for 

verification of service should include the full name used during the period of service to be verified, 

the individual's date of birth, and Social Security number. 

B. Primary Sources of Records of Service 

Primary evidence of service is defined as the original documents verifying the employment of an 

individual. Sources for such evidence include: 

•	 Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) 

records (SF 2806, SF 3100); and 

•	 Records of government agencies that may be accessed through the employing agency, the 

National Archives, or the National Personnel Records Center (SF 50's in employee's Official 

Personnel Folder (OPF)). 

C. Verification from CSRS and FERS Records 

Service may be considered verified (but not necessarily creditable) if: 

•	 It is recorded and certified on an SF 2806 (or on any of its predecessor forms) and/or an 

SF 3100 and not marked "unverified" or "prior service claimed" etc.; 

•	 It is recorded and certified in a refund or service credit claim; 

•	 It is recorded and certified by the National Personnel Records Center, or the Office of Personnel 

Management in an agency's formal "Request for Verification of Service"; or 

•	 It is recorded and certified on the SF 2801-1 or the SF 3107-1. 

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 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service FERS 63 

Chapter 20 

D. Verification by Employing Agency or National Personnel Records Center 

If alleged civilian service needs to be verified, an official record of service must be requested from 

the agency having custody of the Official Personnel Folder or payroll records. In cases where the 

employing agency is no longer in existence, requests should be made to the National Personnel 

Records Center. Information concerning discontinued agencies is provided in F below. 

An employee normally has only one Official Personnel Folder (OPF). It follows the employee 

from one agency to another when he or she transfers, or upon request is sent from the NPRC to the 

new agency where an individual is reemployed after an extended break in service. Most agencies 

forward all records to National Personnel Records Center when an employee separates from 

Federal service. A few agencies, however, retain permanent records of separated employees and 

should be contacted directly for verification of service. These agencies are listed in E below. 

Official Personnel Folders have been prescribed for use by all agencies in the Executive Branch 

since April 1, 1947; they should be complete for service since that date. However, some Executive 

Branch employees' records may also be in SF 66-C's, Merged Records Personnel Folders, if the 

employee was hired also by a non-title 5 agency. Requests for verification of service performed 

before April 1, 1947, and which is not on record in an OPF should be addressed to the agency 

having custody of the records. 

CSRS and FERS Handbook April 1998 
64 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service	 FERS 

Chapter 20 

E. Agencies Retaining Permanent Records 

The following agencies retain a permanent record of separated employees and should be contacted 

directly for verification of service in that agency. 

•	 Agriculture, ASCS 

•	 Administrative Office of U.S. Courts, including the Supreme Court 

•	 Architect of the Capital 

•	 Banks for Cooperatives 

•	 Botanic Gardens 

•	 Canal Zone Government 

•	 Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
 

(Submit all requests through the Office of External Affairs.)
 

•	 Committee for Purchases of Blind-Made Products 

•	 Committee for Reciprocity Information 

•	 Congress -- Members and Employees 

•	 U.S. House of Representatives 

•	 U.S. Senate 

•	 District of Columbia Government agencies as follows:
 

-- Court of General Sessions
 

-- Minimum Wage and Industrial Safety
 

-- Public Schools
 

-- Public Service Commission
 

-- Tax Court
 

-- Uniformed Officers (Police and Fire Departments)
 

•	 Farm Credit Banks 

•	 Federal Bureau of Investigation 

•	 Federal Intermediate Credit Banks 

•	 Federal Land Banks 

•	 Federal Reserve, Board of Governors 

•	 Gallaudet University 

•	 National Academy of Sciences 

•	 National Research Council 

•	 National Resources Planning Board 

•	 National Security Council 

•	 Office of Strategic Services
 

(Submit all requests through the Office of External Affairs.)
 

•	 Panama Canal Company 

•	 Peace Corps (Volunteers) 

•	 President's Advisory Committee on Management 

•	 Production Credit Corporations 

•	 Tennessee Valley Authority 

•	 U.S. Information Agency 

April 1998	 CSRS and FERS Handbook 
 

 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service FERS 65 

Chapter 20 

F. Discontinued Agencies 

The following list identifies agencies discontinued since 1950 and the agencies now having custody 

of records. (See the United States Organization Manual for a listing of all discontinued agencies.) 

Discontinued Agency 

Advisory Board on

 Economic Growth

 and Stability 

Advisory Committee on

 Federal Public Works 

Advisory Committee on

 Management

 Improvement 

Operations Coordination

 Board 

President's Advisory

 Committee on Energy

 Supplies and Resources

 Policy 

President's Advisory

 Committee on

 Government Organization 

Committees of the U.S.

 Senate and House of

 Representatives 

Periods Covered

 by Records 

1953-1961 

1955-1961 

1949-1961 

1953-1961 

1954-1961 

1953-1961 

1902-1952 

Agency That Has

 Records 

National Archives and 

Records Administration 

NPRC 

NPRC 

CIA 

NPRC 

NPRC 

U.S. Senate or 

U.S. House of 

Representatives 

CSRS and FERS Handbook April 1998 
66 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service	 FERS 

Chapter 20 

G. Agencies Retaining Partial Records 

The following agencies retain the records of some of their separated employees. 

Agency	 Records Retained 

International Cooperation Administration Personnel folders of local (non-U.S. citizen)

(now Agency for International Development) employees. These folders are maintained in 

the American Embassy for the locality in which 

employment was rendered. 

Office of Chief of Naval Intelligence	 Certain investigative personnel known 

variously as ONI Agents, Special Agents, or 

Contract Agents employed in District 

Intelligence Offices inside and outside the 

continental United States, Potomac River Naval 

Command, some overseas areas, and in the 

Washington headquarters. 

Personnel assigned to the Scientific and 

Technical Unit, Frankfort, Germany, before 

February 11, 1957. 

State Department	 Overseas employment prior to November 1, 

1973. 

April 1998	 CSRS and FERS Handbook 
 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service FERS 67 

Chapter 20 

H. Verification by National Personnel Records Center 

1. General 

The National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) was established as the repository for Official 

Personnel Folders (OPF's) of individuals no longer in Federal service. Most agencies forward 

the OPF to NPRC 30 days after a resignation or 120 days after a death or retirement. This 

time frame may be longer if a grievance or appeal is pending. 

Traditionally, the NPRC provided earnings and service history information for annuity claims 

when the verification of Federal employment was incomplete. They search pay records for 

service when no other source of verification can be found and forward OPF's on request. 

2. Verification from Payroll Records 

NPRC will process requests for payroll record searches. However, since payroll searches are 

costly and time-consuming, request a search only if no other source of information is 

available. 

Before requesting a payroll search, insure that the information is not on record with the 

employing agency, in the OPF, or in the CSRS or FERS records at OPM. 

Payroll record searches may be necessary if any of the following kinds of information are 

needed to complete development of a case: 

• Date retirement deductions began; 

• WAE or intermittent service (earnings or time actually worked); 

• Earnings needed to complete a computation; or 

• Verification of service not available from the OPF. 

3. When Secondary Evidence May Be Admissible 

When service cannot be verified by primary evidence, secondary evidence may become 

admissible. However, affidavits or other non-records evidence will not be allowed to 

controvert the established record where (1) primary evidence is available; (2) it is determined 

that no loss and/or destruction to records has occurred; and (3) the records are considered 

complete. For example, should the reply to a request for a payroll search show no record of 

the alleged service; and should the reply cite no loss, destruction or incompleteness of records 

as the cause for a failure to locate the information, secondary evidence would not be 

admissible. The mere fact that official records do not include mention of claimed service does 

not make secondary evidence admissible. Secondary evidence can be accepted only if it is 

established that official government records are incomplete or have been lost or destroyed in 

whole or in part. 

CSRS and FERS Handbook April 1998 
68 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service	 FERS 

Chapter 20 

H. Verification by National Personnel Records Center (Cont.) 

4. Forms of Secondary Evidence 

Secondary evidence may consist of as many of the following items as it is possible to obtain. 

Submit as many documents as possible from the list in item a below. OPM will consider 

documents described in items 4b and 4c, but may give less weight to such evidence. 

a. Copies of official documents or letters relating to the service to be established. These may 

consist of notices of appointment or separation; notices of changes in position, salary, 

organization, or headquarters; letters of commendation or reprimand; travel orders; payroll 

slips or records; identification credentials, etc. 

b. Private records such as a diary, correspondence, copies of income tax returns, employment 

applications, credit applications, etc., that mention or relate to the service to be 

established. Such private records must have been made during or shortly after the period 

of service. 

c. Any other documentary evidence tending to prove the service was actually performed and 

the beginning and ending date of service. Affidavits must be sworn to or affirmed before a 

notary public or other officer who is authorized by law to administer oaths. 

NOTE:	 In addition to the documents listed in items 4a, 4b, and 4c above, the employee 

must also submit affidavits as described in items 4d and 4e below. Affidavits 

must be sworn to or affirmed before a notary public or other officer who is 

authorized by law to administer oaths. 

d. A sworn affidavit from the individual claiming the service setting forth as many of the 

following details as can be accurately remembered: beginning and ending dates of service; 

title of position held; name of employing agency; location of employment; salary rates; 

funds from which salary was paid; reason for leaving; and names (and current addresses, if 

known) of as many fellow employees as can be remembered, including supervisors. 

e. Sworn affidavits from at least two fellow employees having knowledge of the facts about 

the claimed Federal civilian service. In addition to swearing to as many of the facts 

mentioned in paragraph 4d as he or she can accurately remember, each fellow employee 

should give facts concerning his or her own employment during the period in question and 

any other information showing that he or she is in a position to know the facts and give his 

or her date of birth and mailing address. 

NOTE:	 In the absence of sworn affidavits, unsworn statements (declaration) in the 

following form are equivalent to an affidavit: 

(1)	 If executed outside of the United States, its territories, possessions, or 

commonwealths: "I declare (or certify, verify, or state) under penalty 

April 1998	 CSRS and FERS Handbook 
 CSRS	 Creditable Civilian Service FERS 69 

Chapter 20 

H. Verification by National Personnel Records Center (Cont.) 

4. Forms of Secondary Evidence (Cont.) 

of perjury under the laws of the United States of 

America that the foregoing is true and correct. 

Executed on (date). 

(Signature)". 

(2)	 If executed within the United States, its territories, possessions, or 

commonwealths: "I declare (or certify, verify, or state) under penalty of 

perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. 

Executed on (date). 

(Signature)". 

The essential elements of the unsworn statement are that it must be true under 

penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States, and it must be dated 

and signed. 

f. A report of earnings subject to OASDI deductions from the Social Security Administration, 

when it is necessary to show actual work to establish credit for service, that is, when the 

service is intermittent, or excess leave without pay may be involved. OPM does not have 

the authority to obtain this information directly from the Social Security Administration for 

this purpose; therefore, the claimant must initiate the request. This information, like any 

other documentation of earnings, does not constitute proof of a qualifying appointment. 

5. Beginning and Ending Dates of Alleged Service To Be Established 

It is not sufficient for an individual to show by secondary evidence that he or she did at one 

time work for the government. To receive credit for the service, the individual must establish 

the beginning and ending dates of such service. Secondary evidence that is indefinite as to 

when the service was rendered or evidence that vaguely fixes the dates of employment by 

association with remote events is not acceptable to establish the beginning and ending dates of 

the alleged service. However, if these dates can be ascertained within reasonable time limits 

of accuracy, credit for service can be allowed from the latest possible beginning date to the 

earliest possible ending date. For example, if a claimant establishes that he or she began work 

sometime in January and quit sometime in December, OPM will allow service from January 

31 to December 1. 

CSRS and FERS Handbook	 April 1998 
70 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service FERS 

Chapter 20 

H. Verification by National Personnel Records Center (Cont.) 

6. OPM Has Authority to Accept Secondary Evidence 

In general, only OPM is authorized to accept or reject affidavits and other secondary evidence 

that is submitted to verify alleged service or to ask for additional evidence in support of the 

allegation. If the employee's service can only be established by secondary evidence, he or she 

should complete SF 2803, Application to Make Deposit or Redeposit (for CSRS employees) or 

SF 3108, Application to Make Service Credit Payments for Civilian Service (for FERS 

employees). Agencies should assist employees as much as possible to assemble secondary 

evidence when official records are not available. 

April 1998 CSRS and FERS Handbook 
 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service FERS 71 

Chapter 20 

I. Specific Verification Instructions for Special Types of Service 

1. U.S. Department of Agriculture 

The Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or his or her designee must certify -­

a. Service performed before July 10, 1960, as an employee of a county committee established 

under 16 U.S.C. 590h(b) or of a committee or an association of producers described by 7 

U.S.C. 610(b). 

b. Service performed under a cooperative agreement between the USDA and a State entity. 

Individuals who have performed such service should provide the appropriate identifying 

information to -­

Director
 

Office of Personnel
 

U.S. Department of Agriculture
 

Washington, DC 20250
 

2. Substitute Teachers for D.C. Government 

To verify service as a substitute teacher for the District of Columbia Government, send the 

appropriate identifying information to -­

Office of Financial Management
 

Pay and Retirement Division
 

410 E Street, NW.
 

Washington, DC 20001
 

3. Periods of Imprisonment of a Foreign National 

Service that will qualify for credit under this provision must be verified by the agency that 

employed the individual. For example, hostages employed at the U.S. Embassy during the 

Iranian hostage crisis must have certification from the U.S. Department of State in order to 

obtain credit for such service. 

CSRS and FERS Handbook April 1998 
72 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service FERS 

Chapter 20 

I. Specific Verification Instructions for Special Types of Service (Cont.) 

4. Justices or Judges of the United States (28 U.S.C. 451) 

Verification of service as a justice or judge of the United States or as a judge of a court in a 

territory, and verification of such individual's entitlement to salary or annuity must be 

obtained from the Administrative Office of the U. S. Courts -­

Administrative Office of U.S. Courts
 

Human Resources Division
 

Judges Compensation and Benefit Branch
 

Suite 5-500
 

Washington, DC 20544
 

5. House Beauty Shop and Washington Representative for Guam or for the Virgin Islands 

Creditable service can be verified by contacting -­

Office of Finance 

U.S. House of Representatives
 

Room 263, Cannon House Office Building
 

Washington, DC 20515
 

6. Campaign and Congressional Committees 

Creditable service for Senate Campaign and Senate Congressional Committees can be verified 

by contacting -­

U. S. Senate
 

Disbursing Office
 

Hart Senate Office Building
 

Room SH127
 

Washington, DC 20510-7104
 

Creditable service for House Campaign and House Congressional Committees can be verified 

by contacting -­

Office of Finance 

U.S. House of Representatives
 

Room 263, Cannon House Office Building
 

Washington, DC 20515
 

April 1998 CSRS and FERS Handbook 
 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service FERS 3

Chapter 20

CSRS and FERS Handbook April 1998

I. Specific Verification Instructions for Special Types of Service (Cont.)

7. Natives of the Pribilof Islands

In cases where certification has not been made, contact --

United States Department of Commerce

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

7600 Sand Point Way, NE.

Bin C 16700

Seattle, WA 98113

8. Service as a Peace Corps or VISTA Volunteer

When requesting verification, the employee and/or agency must provide the following 

information:

• The full name of the individual at the time the service was performed;

• The individual's date of birth;

• The individual's Social Security number; and

• The approximate dates of employment.

Creditable service can be verified by contacting --

ATTN: Certifying Officer 

 CFO/VPS 

 Peace Corps Headquarters 

 1111 20th Street N.W. 

 Washington, DC 20526

AMERICORPS/VISTA

Room 9214C

1201 New York Ave, NW

Washington, DC 20525
74 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service FERS 

Chapter 20 

I. Specific Verification Instructions for Special Types of Service (Cont.) 

9. Overseas Broadcasting Organizations 

An individual desiring credit for service with an overseas broadcasting organization should 

submit a written request that includes the full name used during the period of employment, 

date of birth, Social Security number, and the name and address of his or her current 

employing agency, to the successor to the broadcast agency with which he or she was 

employed. The broadcast agency will provide certification of the dates of service, salary or 

other compensation paid, number of days the individual worked per calendar year and whether 

the individual is entitled to benefits under a retirement system established for the broadcast 

organization. Send the request to the appropriate organization listed below. 

a. An individual desiring certification of broadcast service may submit a written request that 

includes the full name used during the period of employment, date of birth, Social Security 

number, and the name and address of the current employing agency, to the broadcast 

organization. The names and addresses of the appropriate contacts are listed below. 

b. Upon receipt of a written request from an individual, the broadcast or successor entity (in 

addition to providing the necessary information on dates of service, salaries or other 

compensation paid, and the number of days worked per calendar year) also provides 

information regarding certain conditions (conditions 1 and 2 are shown in 20A2.1-3C; 

condition 3 in 20A2.1-3C should not be addressed by the entities.) 

To obtain verification of service, contact the appropriate organization at the following addresses. 

- Service with Radio Free Europe and predecessors 

Executive Director
 

Board for International Broadcasting
 

1201 Connecticut Avenue, NW., Suite 400
 

Washington, DC 20036
 

- Service with Asia Foundation and predecessors 

Personnel Director
 

Asia Foundation
 

Post Office Box 3223
 

San Francisco, CA 94119
 

- Service with the Armed Forces Network (Europe) 

Executive Assistant
 

American Forces Information Service
 

1735 N. Lynn Street
 

Arlington, VA 22209
 

April 1998 CSRS and FERS Handbook 
 CSRS	 Creditable Civilian Service FERS 75 

Chapter 20 

I. Specific Verification Instructions for Special Types of Service (Cont.) 

10.	 National Guard Technicians 

Verify all periods of service as a National Guard technician (service performed under section 

709 of title 32 or any prior corresponding provision of law) by contacting the Adjutant 

General's office for the State National Guard unit with which the individual served. (See 

Chapter 22 for the addresses of the State Adjutants General.) 

11.	 Nonappropriated Fund (NAF) Instrumentalities 

When requesting verification, the employee and/or agency must provide the following 

information: 

•	 The full name of the individual at the time the service was performed; 

•	 The individual's date of birth; 

•	 The individual's Social Security number; 

•	 The name of the nonappropriated fund instrumentality; and 

•	 The approximate dates of employment. 

•	 Employee must document that he or she has no entitlement to NAF retirement 

benefits. 

(In addition to obtaining verification of salary rates and dates of employment, individuals who 

separated from Army NAF facilities after 1965 and from Navy NAF facilities after 1961, must 

obtain confirmation that they are not entitled to receive retirement benefits based on the 

service to be credited under CSRS or FERS from the respective NAF retirement plans.) OPM 

will make the determination as to whether the service is creditable or not. 

Service verification can be requested from the addresses shown below -­

- Some NAF service has proven difficult to verify. If records are available, you may 

contact: 

National Personnel Records Center
 

(Civilian Personnel Records)
 

111 Winnebago Street
 

St. Louis, MO 63118
 

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76 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service FERS 

Chapter 20 

I. Specific Verification Instructions for Special Types of Service (Cont.) 

11. Nonappropriated Fund (NAF) Instrumentalities (Cont.) 

- In some cases, individuals who were employed by the Army (if separated from NAF 

service after 1965) or Navy (if separated from NAF service after 1961) may obtain 

verification of their service from NAF retirement plans for employees of those agencies. 

The addresses for these plans are: 

Department of the Army 

U.S. Army Community and Family Support Center
 

Nonappropriated Funds Personnel Division
 

2461 Eisenhower Avenue
 

Alexandria, VA 22331-0523
 

Commander, Naval Military Personnel Center
 

Recreation Service Division
 

Code N-653
 

Washington, DC 20370-5110
 

12. Japanese-American Employee Internment 

To obtain verification of periods of internment, submit the individual's full name (in Japanese 

and English); the date of birth; name of the camp; and approximate dates of internment to the: 

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
 

Civil Reference Branch
 

Washington, DC 20408
 

(202) 501-5395 

If the individual obtains verification from the NARA, he or she must submit the original 

letter-of-verification. If the agency obtains the verification, it may include this information on 

the SF 2801 or on the SF 2806 and cite Public Law 95-382 as the authority. 

April 1998 CSRS and FERS Handbook 
 CSRS	 Creditable Civilian Service FERS 77 

Chapter 20 

Appendix B 

Table of Creditable Service 

This table summarizes rulings on retirement credit for service in specific agencies and organizations. 

(Where appropriate, reference is made to the relevant section of this chapter.) Because a particular 

type of service is not listed does not necessarily indicate that the service is not creditable. 

AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS	 CREDITABLE 

AIR FORCE, DEPARTMENT OF 

• Air Force Exchange Service (but see section 20A2.1-5)	 No 

• Air Force Motion Picture Service (but see section 20A2.1-5) No 

• Dependents' Schools (but see section 20A2.1-5)	 No 

ALASKA 

• Airway Observer	 No 

• Alaska Communication System	 Yes 

• Alaska Employment Service	 No 

• Alaska Home Guard (Territorial Guard)	 No 

• Alaska Housing Authority	 No 

• Alaska Indian Service	 Yes 

• Alaska Native Service	 Yes 

• Alaska Railroad	 Yes 

•	 Alaska Road Commission Yes
 

(formerly the Alaska Engineering Commission)
 

• Alaska Rural Rehabilitation Corporation	 No 

• Tanana Valley Railroad	 No 

• Teacher, Territory Schools	 No 

• Teacher, Vocational Education in Alaska	 No 

• Territorial Government	 No 

AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS COMMISSION 

•	 Alien employees during German occupation
 

of France Yes
 

• Employees in European Office	 Yes 

AMERICAN MILITARY GOVERNMENT TEAM (JAPAN)	 Yes 

AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS	 No 

AMERICAN RELIEF ADMINISTRATION	 Yes 

ANGLO-AMERICAN CARIBBEAN COMMISSION	 No 

AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS	 CREDITABLE 

ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL AND BOTANIC GARDEN, 

OFFICE OF Yes 

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78 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service	 FERS 

Chapter 20 

ARMY, DEPARTMENT OF 

•	 Army Exchange (but see section 20A2.1-5) No 

•	 Field Clerk Yes 

•	 Historical Division Yes 

•	 Panama Railroad Company Yes 

•	 U.S. Military Academy Yes
 

-- Army Athletic Association No
 

(unless paid from appropriated funds, but see section
 

20A2.1-5) 

-- Cadet Hostess No 

-- Cadet Laundry Yes 

-- Cadet Store Yes 

-- Chaplains Yes 

-- Hotel Thayer No 

(Paid from nonappropriated funds. If regularly appointed,
 

and paid from appropriated funds, service is creditable.)
 

-- Post School No 

(Paid from nonappropriated funds. If regularly appointed, 

and paid from appropriated funds, service is creditable.) 

•	 Women's Air Service Pilots (WASPS) Yes 

•	 Women's Army Auxiliary Corps Yes
 

(See section 20A2.2-14, paragraph B.) (Prior to August 12,
 

1943, after that date, creditable as military service.)
 

ARMY-NAVY ELECTRONICS PRODUCTION AGENCY	 Yes 

CANAL ZONE GOVERNMENT (abolished 1979)	 Yes 

CIVIL AIR PATROL	 No 

CIVILIAN PUBLIC SERVICE 

•	 Conscientious objectors No 

COMMERCE, DEPARTMENT OF 

•	 Bureau of Standards Yes
 

-- Research Associate No
 

•	 Census Bureau
 

-- Enumerators Yes
 

(A January 1, 1971, Executive Order covered these
 

temporary Census employees as well as Post Office
 

employees (temporary census-taking employees from
 

January 1, 1955, until January 1, 1971, were not
 

covered.)
 

AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS	 CREDITABLE 

COMMERCE, DEPARTMENT OF (CONT.) 

-- Special Agents 

- Regularly appointed paid on per 

diem or other time basis Yes 

- Special Population Census Yes 

-- Inland Waterways Corporation 

- Warrior River Terminal Company Yes 

(Federal Barge Lines) 

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 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service FERS 79 

Chapter 20 

-- Textile Foundation 

-- Weather Bureau 

- Airway observers, fee basis (no regular tour of duty) 

- Airway observers, per diem or WAE basis 

- Cooperative observer without compensation 

- Corn and Wheat Region Observer, without 

compensation 

- Emergency Assistant, appointed under letters 

of authority by Chief, Weather Bureau 

- Storm Warning Displayman or 

Observer, without compensation 

COMMISSION ON INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS 

COMMISSION OF MIGRATORY LABOR, PRESIDENT'S 

CORPORATIONS (See section 20A2 for requirements.) 

•	 Alaska Rural Rehabilitation Corporation 

•	 American International Shipbuilding Corporation 

•	 Commodity Credit Corporation (USDA) 

•	 Defense Relocation Corporations (State service) 

•	 Depositors Liquidation Corporation 

•	 Farmer's Home Corporation (USDA) 

•	 Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (USDA) 

•	 Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation 

-- Associate Liquidator
 

-- Employees of receivers
 

•	 Federal Farm Mortgage Corporation (USDA) 

•	 Federal Subsistence Homestead Corporation (DOI) 

•	 Federal Surplus Commodities Corporation (USDA) 

•	 Government Service, Inc. 

•	 Greenmont Mutual Housing Corporation (NHA) 

•	 Home Owners Loan Corporation (NHA) 

•	 Joint Stock Land Banks
 

-- Employees of receivers of
 

AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS 

CORPORATIONS (CONT.) 

•	 Legal Services Corporation
 

-- Members of the Board
 

-- Officers and Employees
 

•	 Merchant Fleet Corporation 

•	 National Training School for Boys, Inc. 

•	 Panama Canal Company 

•	 Panama Pacific International Exposition Company 

-- Performing government work and paid out of funds 

Government received for service 

•	 Panama Railroad Company 

Yes 

No 

Yes 

No 

No 

Yes 

No 

Yes 

Yes 

No 

No 

Yes 

No 

No 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

No 

No 

Yes 

No 

Yes 

CREDITABLE 

No 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

CSRS and FERS Handbook	 April 1998 
80 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service	 FERS 

Chapter 20 

•	 Pan American Sanitary Bureau Yes 

•	 Pennsylvania Avenue Development Corporation Yes 

•	 Petroleum Reserves Corporation Yes 

•	 Prencinradio, Inc. Yes 

•	 Puerto Rico Cement Corporation No 

•	 Reconstruction Finance Corporation Yes 

(was under Federal Loan Agency) 

-- Colonial Mica Corporation Yes 

-- Cooper Recovery Corporation Yes 

-- Defense Homes Corporation Yes 

-- Defense Supplies Corporation Yes 

-- Disaster Loan Corporation Yes 

-- Electric Home and Farm Authority Yes 

-- Metals Reserve Company Yes 

-- Reconstruction Finance Corporation Mortgage Company Yes 

-- Rubber Reserve Company Yes 

-- Steel Recovery Corporation Yes 

-- War Damage Corporation Yes 

-- War Materials, Inc. Yes 

•	 Regional Agricultural Credit Corporation Yes 

•	 Rural Rehabilitation Corporation, from July 1, 1935 Yes 

•	 Rural Telephone Bank (RTB) from May 7, 1971 to June 30, 

1985 Yes 

(Public Law 92-12, May 7, 1971, created RTB and provided 

for changes in corporate structure after June 30, 1985. For 

information on creditability of service with RTB after June 30, 

1985, the agency Retirement Counselor should contact 

the Office of Retirement and Insurance Service at OPM.) 

•	 Russian Railway Service Corps Yes 

April 1998	 CSRS and FERS Handbook 
 CSRS	 Creditable Civilian Service FERS 81 

Chapter 20 

AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS	 CREDITABLE 

CORPORATIONS (CONT.) 

•	 Smaller War Plants Corporation Yes 

•	 South Pacific Commission (International organization) No 

•	 United Seamen's Service, Inc. No 

•	 United States Enrichment Corporation No 

•	 United States Grain Corporation Yes 

•	 United States Housing Corporation (NHA) Yes 

•	 United States Spruce Production Corporation Yes 

•	 Virgin Islands Company (DOI) Yes 

•	 War Finance Corporation (DOT) Yes 

COURTS, U.S. 

•	 Administrative Office Yes 

•	 Bailiffs Yes 

•	 Bankruptcy Judges (formerly Referees in Bankruptcy) Yes 

•	 Clerk to Master in Chancery Yes 

•	 Clerk Yes 

•	 Conciliation Commissioner (fee basis) No 

•	 Customs Court, U.S. Yes 

•	 District Court for Panama, U.S. Yes 

•	 District Court, U.S.
 

-- Clerks Yes
 

-- Commissioners on fee basis No
 

(Service is creditable if the individual later comes under 

the Retirement Act while serving as Commissioner.) 

-- Deputy marshal (unless paid on fee basis) Yes 

(Service is creditable if the individual later comes under 

the Retirement Act while serving as Commissioner.) 

-- Field deputy marshals on fee basis No 

-- Marshals Yes 

-- Probation officer, assistants, and employees Yes 

•	 Federal conciliator No 

•	 Jurors (fee basis) No 

•	 Jury Commissioners (fee basis) No 

•	 Military Appeals Court Judge Yes 

•	 Page, U.S. Supreme Court Yes 

•	 Receiver in Bankruptcy No 

•	 Referees in Bankruptcy Yes
 

(unless retired prior to June 28, 1946)
 

-- Employees of Yes
 

•	 Tax Court Judge Yes 

•	 Trustee in Bankruptcy No 

AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS	 CREDITABLE 

DEPOSIT INSURANCE NATIONAL BANK OF BRADFORD, PA Yes 

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82 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service	 FERS 

Chapter 20 

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA GOVERNMENT (if first employed by 

D. C. Government before October 1, 1987) 

•	 Board of Barber Examiners Yes 

•	 Board of Cosmetology Yes 

•	 Boxing Commission Yes 

•	 Charwoman Yes 

•	 Commission on Licensure Yes 

•	 Community Center and Playgrounds Department Yes 

•	 Department of Food Services Yes 

•	 Draft Board 

-- Service paid per induction or per questioner No 

-- Other paid service with Board Yes 

•	 Examining and Licensing Boards and Commissions Yes 

•	 Firemen Yes 

•	 Judges, Municipal, and Juvenile Court Yes 

•	 Librarian Yes 

-- Page, Library Yes 

•	 National Training School for Girls Yes 

•	 Nurses Examining Board Yes 

•	 Police Matron Yes 

•	 Policemen Yes 

•	 Real Estate Commission Yes 

•	 School survey Yes 

•	 Student Nurse Yes 

•	 Substitute attendance officers, public schools Yes 

(unless the employee has coverage under another retirement 

system) 

•	 Substitute teachers, public schools Yes 

(unless the employee has coverage under another retirement 

system) 

•	 Teachers (except substitutes) in public schools Yes 

(transferred to D.C. Teachers Retirement system by Public 

Law 92-518, effective November 1, 1972, creditable if no 

entitlement to benefits under another retirement system for 

Federal employees) 

•	 War Camp Community Service No 

•	 D.C. Government employees first hired on or after 

October 1, 1987 No 

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 CSRS	 Creditable Civilian Service FERS 83 

Chapter 20 

AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS	 CREDITABLE 

ECONOMIC COOPERATION ADMINISTRATION	 Yes 

EMPLOYMENT SERVICE, U.S. 

•	 Employees separated from rolls to serve
 

appointment with American Youth Commission and later
 

reinstated to Employment Service Yes
 

•	 National Reemployment Service Yes 

•	 Special Agent at nominal compensation No
 

(except service with Federal Security Agency from January
 

1, 1942, through November 15, 1946)
 

EXPORT-IMPORT BANK OF WASHINGTON (name changed to Yes 

Export-Import Bank of the United States in 1968) 

FARM CREDIT ADMINISTRATION 

•	 Bank for Cooperatives Yes
 

(Creditable to December 31, 1959. After that date, 

creditable only if employee is subject to provisions of 

Chapter 83 of title 5 of the U.S. Code)
 

•	 Emergency Crop and Feed Loan Division Yes 

•	 Field Clerk Yes 

•	 Federal Intermediate Credit Banks Yes
 

(Creditable to December 31, 1959. After that date,
 

creditable only if employee is subject to provisions of
 

Chapter 83 of title 5 of the U.S. Code.)
 

•	 Federal Land Banks Yes
 

(Creditable to December 31, 1959. After that date, 

creditable only if employee is subject to provisions of 

Chapter 83 of title 5 of the U.S. Code.)
 

FEDERAL CITY COLLEGE 

•	 Educational Employees and Officers No
 

(Generally covered by TIAA-CREF, but see section
 

20B2.1-2B on crediting service under other retirement
 

systems.)
 

•	 Non-educational Employees Yes 

FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM 

•	 Federal Reserve Bank (Not Government-owned corporation) No 

•	 Federal Reserve System, members and employees of Board of Yes
 

Governors 

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84 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service FERS 

Chapter 20 

AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS CREDITABLE 

FOREIGN ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE ADMINISTRATION 

• Cargoes, Incorporated Yes 

• Petroleum Reserves Corporation Yes 

• Rubber Development Corporation Yes 

• U.S. Commercial Company Yes 

FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT LIBRARY Yes 

(part of GSA from 1963 to present) 

FREEDMAN'S HOSPITAL Yes 

(Service creditable only to September 21, 1961, unless continued 

under Retirement Act by continuity (Public Law 87-262) -- under 

Federal Security Agency, then transferred to HEW.) 

GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY (formerly Columbia Institute for the Yes 

Deaf) 

GUAM (Representative is creditable) 

• Civil Affairs No 

• Civilian Government No 

• Government of Guam No 

• Naval Government of Guam No 

• Naval Military Government of Guam No 

HOWARD UNIVERSITY (Washington, DC) No 

INSTITUTE OF INTER-AMERICAN AFFAIRS Yes 

(Transferred to Foreign Operations Administration in 1953 

(abolished 1955), functions transferred to State and Defense.) 

INSTITUTE OF INTER-AMERICAN TRANSPORTATION Yes 

INTERALLIED RHINELAND HIGH COMMAND Yes 

(American Section only) 

INTER-AMERICAN EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION, INC. Yes 

April 1998 CSRS and FERS Handbook 
 CSRS	 Creditable Civilian Service FERS 85 

Chapter 20 

AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS	 CREDITABLE 

INTERIOR, DEPARTMENT OF THE 

•	 Deputy Game Warden on per diem or other salary basis Yes
 

-- Without compensation No
 

•	 Fish and Wildlife Service cooperative employee
 

-- Hunters Yes
 

•	 Indian Service
 

-- Direct employee of Indian Tribe No
 

-- Contract physicians Yes
 

-- Teacher, Five Civilized Tribes No
 

-- Teacher, Indian Education Programs Yes
 

•	 Public Buildings and Grounds
 

-- Welfare and Recreation Association, Inc. No
 

INTERSTATE COMMERCE COMMISSION 

•	 Inspector of Locomotives Yes 

•	 Clerk to Inspector Yes 

•	 Employees of Inspector of Locomotives Yes 

ISTHMIAN CANAL COMMISSION	 Yes 

JUSTICE, DEPARTMENT OF 

•	 Court for China Yes 

•	 Federal Bureau of Investigation
 

-- Special Agent Yes
 

-- Interpreter/Translators Yes
 

•	 Federal Prison Industries, Inc. Yes 

•	 U.S. Deputy Marshal (except on fee basis) Yes 

•	 U.S. District Attorneys Yes 

•	 U.S. Magistrate, after October 17, 1968
 

(All part-time Magistrates receive full-time credit.) Yes
 

•	 U.S. Marshals (except on fee basis) Yes
 

-- Jail Physician Yes
 

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86 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service	 FERS 

Chapter 20 

AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS 

LEGISLATIVE 

• Barber (Senate) 

• Resident Commissioner (House of Representatives) 

• Clerks to Committees of Congress 

•	 Clerks to Members of House of Representatives 

(For service subsequent to June 30, 1919, it must be shown 

that clerk was officially designated and name placed upon 

roll of legislative employees of the House of 

Representatives. 

•	 Clerks to Senators
 

(from July 1, 1896, if appropriated for such)
 

• Folding Room Employees (House) Page 

•	 Members of Congress
 

(Senators, Representatives, Delegates, Resident 

Commissioners)
 

•	 Reporter of Debates (Official) in Senate and their employees 

(Act of June 21, 1947 (Public Law 80-95)) 

•	 U.S. Capitol, House and Senate Restaurant employees 

(Service is not creditable from August 1, 1947, to July 31, 

1961, when restaurant was operated by a private concern 

under contract.) 

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

• Director in Spain for European Mission 

• Gift Fund employee 

• Sunday and Holiday employee (WAE) 

MISSIONS 

• American Mission for Aid to Greece 

• American Mission for Aid to Turkey 

• China Relief Mission 

MUTUAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION 

NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 

NATIONAL CAPITAL SESQUICENTENNIAL COMMISSION 

NATIONAL COMMITTEE ON LAW OBSERVANCE AND 

LAW ENFORCEMENT 

NATIONAL FARM LOAN ASSOCIATION 

CREDITABLE 

No 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

No 

Yes 

Yes 

No 

April 1998	 CSRS and FERS Handbook 
 CSRS	 Creditable Civilian Service FERS 87 

Chapter 20 

AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS	 CREDITABLE 

NATIONAL HOME FOR DISABLED VOLUNTEER SOLDIERS Yes 

NATIONAL HOUSING AGENCY 

•	 Federal Home Loan Bank Administration Yes 

•	 Federal Home Loan Banks No 

•	 Federal Public Housing Authority Yes 

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS	 No 

•	 Certain Interns in Federal agencies Yes 

NATIONAL LIBRARY FOR THE BLIND	 Yes 

NATIONAL REEMPLOYMENT SERVICE	 Yes 

NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK (keeper)	 Yes 

NAVAL SHIPYARD, BOARD OF SURVEY, APPRAISAL AND 

SALES, Philadelphia Yes 

NAVY, DEPARTMENT OF 

•	 Dependents' Schools Yes 

•	 Instructors, Intermediate School of Truk Yes 

•	 Marine Corps Exchange No 

•	 Navy Exchange No 

•	 Navy Ship's Stores Ashore Yes 

•	 Ship's Service Activities Yes 

•	 U.S. Naval Academy
 

-- Athletic Association Yes
 

-- Dairy No
 

-- Midshipmen's Barber Shop Yes
 

-- Midshipmen's Cobbler Shop Yes
 

-- Midshipmen's Commissary Yes
 

-- Midshipmen's Laundry Yes
 

-- Midshipmen's Mess Yes
 

-- Midshipmen's Store Yes
 

-- Midshipmen's Tailor Shop Yes
 

NEW YORK WORLD'S FAIR, U.S. COMMISSION 

•	 Commissioner Yes 

•	 Employee Yes 

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88 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service	 FERS 

Chapter 20 

AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS 

OFFICE OF PRICE ADMINISTRATOR (Consolidated in 1946 with 

Office of Temporary Controls that was terminated in 1947.) 

•	 War Price and Rationing Boards 

-- Indefinite employee working full time at annual salary 

-- Volunteer workers 

PANAMA CANAL 

•	 Teacher, subject to call (less excess leave periods) 

PEACE CORPS 

(See section 20A2.1-2 for requirements.) 

POSTAL SERVICE, U.S. 

•	 Charworker 

•	 Cleaner (through February 2, 1962) 

•	 Clerks 

-- Fourth-class post office (employee of Postmaster) 

-- Fourth-class substituting for Postmaster on leave; service 

since July 22, 1947 

-- Honolulu, Hawaii, post office, postal clerks since 

August 12, 1898 

-- Substitute Railway Mail 

-- Temporary Substitute 

-- Third-class post offices, if paid from appropriated funds 

•	 Contract Stations 

•	 Contract Mail Messenger 

•	 Janitor 

•	 Job cleaners (service through February 2, 1962) 

-- Contract job cleaners on and after February 3, 1962 

•	 Postmaster (all classes)
 

-- Acting
 

-- Assistant
 

- First class post offices 

- Second class post offices 

- Third class post offices 

- Fourth class post office (employee of Postmaster) 

•	 Seasonal 

•	 Rural Carrier
 

-- Auxiliary
 

-- Substitute
 

-- Temporary
 

-- Temporary Substitute
 

CREDITABLE 

Yes 

No 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

No 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

No 

No 

Yes 

Yes 

No 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

No 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

April 1998	 CSRS and FERS Handbook 
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Chapter 20 

AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS	 CREDITABLE 

POSTAL SERVICE, U.S. (CONT.) 

•	 Special Delivery Messenger
 

-- First class post offices only Yes
 

-- Outside first class post offices No
 

(Contract employees; designated as working for
 

postmaster rather than department)
 

•	 Star Route Carrier No
 

(Retirement credit not allowed unless individual performed
 

duties involving primarily protection of U.S. interests.)
 

•	 Substitute City Carrier Yes 

•	 Substitute Village Carrier Yes 

•	 Temporary Christmas employees Yes 

•	 Temporary Substitutes Yes 

•	 Telephone operator (contract service) No 

PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION ACT 

•	 Employees appointed under (see Public Law 100-238) Yes 

PUERTO RICAN HURRICANE RELIEF COMMISSION	 Yes 

PUERTO RICO, PRESIDENT'S ADVISORY COMMITTEE 

ON THE RELATION OF FEDERAL LAWS TO Yes 

PUERTO RICO RECONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION	 Yes 

READING ASSISTANT FOR THE BLIND EMPLOYEE Yes 

(if substantially full-time service) 

REPARATION COMMISSION, U.S. DELEGATION No 

(Retirement credit not allowed unless individual performed duties 

involving primarily protection of U.S. interests.) 

REPUBLICAN CAMPAIGN COMMITTEES 

(See section 20A2.1-8 for requirements.) 

•	 Senatorial Campaign Committee Yes 

•	 National Congressional Committee Yes 

SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM 

•	 Employee of Draft Board (compensated service only) Yes 

•	 Examining Physician (not on fee basis) Yes 

•	 Local Boards (compensated)
 

-- Associate member, Legal Advisory Board No
 

-- Government Appeal Agent No
 

-- Member, Medical Advisory Board Yes
 

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90 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service FERS 

Chapter 20 

AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS	 CREDITABLE 

SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM (CONT.) 

•	 Member of Draft Board (compensated service only) Yes 

•	 Reemployment Committeeman No 

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, Employees appointed by 

or under delegated authority of Board of Regents Yes 

ST. ELIZABETHS HOSPITAL (See Chapter 12 for requirements.) Yes 

TIMPANGOS CAVE NATIONAL MONUMENT	 Yes 

TREASURY, DEPARTMENT OF THE 

•	 Bureau of Narcotics (alien informer) No 

•	 Coast Guard, U.S. Yes
 

-- Lamplighters Yes
 

-- Surfman (temporary or substitute) Yes
 

•	 Comptroller of the Currency, Office of
 

-- Employees of receivers Yes
 

-- Insolvent National Bank Division
 

Clerks appointed by Federal officer	 Yes 

•	 Customs Service, U.S.
 

-- Seasonal inspectors appointed from registers Yes
 

•	 Office of Thrift Supervision Yes 

U.S. REVENUE CUTTER SERVICE	 Yes 

VETERANS' AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF 

•	 Attorneys (all grades) Yes 

•	 Bureau of Medicine and Surgery Yes 

•	 Chaplains appointed under Schedule A Yes
 

-- Substitute, regular tour of duty Yes
 

•	 Homes, member and patient employees
 

through December 12, 1962, only Yes
 

•	 Hospitals, member and patient employees
 

through December 8, 1962 only Yes
 

•	 Veterans' Canteen Service Yes 

VISTA (See section 20A2.1-2 for requirements.)	 Yes 

WAR ASSETS ADMINISTRATION	 Yes 

WAR RISK INSURANCE, BUREAU OF	 Yes 

•	 Field examiners, fee basis No 

April 1998	 CSRS and FERS Handbook 
 CSRS Creditable Civilian Service FERS 91 

Chapter 20 

AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS CREDITABLE 

WAR TRAINING SERVICE No 

(formerly Civilian Pilot Training Program) 

WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREA TRANSIT COMMISSION No 

WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE ON AGING, 

ADVISORY COMMISSION Yes 

WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE ON CHILD HEALTH 

AND PROTECTION No 

WHITE HOUSE FELLOWS Yes 

WORLD COLUMBIAN COMMISSION Yes 

YOUTH OPPORTUNITY CAMPAIGN Yes 

CSRS and FERS Handbook April 1998