FERS is a three-tiered retirement plan. The three components are Social Security Benefits, Basic Benefit Plan, and Savings Plan. Employees pay full Social Security taxes and a small contribution to the Basic Benefit Plan. In addition, employees are able to make tax-deferred contributions to a savings plan and the government will match a portion. The three components of FERS work together to provide a strong financial foundation for an employee's retirement years.
Civilian employees receive annual vacation leave based on length of service.
Except for emergencies, annual leave must be authorized in advance, generally by the immediate supervisor. Full-time employees earn 4 hours of sick leave per pay period or 13 days per year. Authorization for sick leave, because of its nature, is not usually obtained in advance, unless the employee knows they will be unable to work because of medical, dental, or optical examinations or treatment, an operation, convalescence, lengthy illness, or something similar. Employees absent from work because of illness must submit administratively acceptable evidence that they were ill and unable to work for periods in excess of 3 workdays or for a lesser period when determined necessary, the agency may require a medical certificate. Employees may request LWOP, if they need time off without pay or have no leave.