Federal Physicians Comparability Allowance Amendments of 1983
PL 98-168 (H.R.2077), enacted 11/29/1983

PUBLIC LAW 98-168—NOV. 29, 1983 
97 STAT. 1105 
Public Law 98-168 
98th Congress 
An Act 
To amend title 5, United States Code, to extend the Federal Physicians Comparability 
Allowance Act of 1978, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, 
TITLE I—PHYSICIANS COMPARABILITY ALLOWANCE 
SHORT TITLE 
SEC. 101. This title may be cited as the "Federal Physicians 
Comparability Allowance Amendments of 1983". 
EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY 
SEC. 102. (a) The second sentence of section 5948(d) of title 5, 
United States Code, is amended to read as follows: "No agreement 
shall be entered into under this section later than September 30, 
1987, nor shall any agreement cover a period of service extending 
beyond September 30,1989.". 
(b) Section 3 of the Federal Physicians Comparability Allowance 
Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. 5948 note) is amended by striking out "Septem-
ber 30, 1985" and inserting in lieu thereof "September 30, 1989". 
Nov. 29, 1983 
[H.R. 2077] 
Federal 
Physicians 
Comparability 
Allowance Act of 
1978, 
amendment. 
Federal 
Physicians 
Comparability 
Allowance 
Amendments of 
1983. 
5 u s e 5948 note. 
PAY OF CERTAIN FEDERAL PHYSICIANS FOR FISCAL YEAR 1982 
SEC. 103. (a) Any individual whose aggregate pay for fiscal year 
1982 exceeded the limitation set forth in section 5383(b) of title 5, 
United States Code, is relieved of all liability to the United States 
for any amounts paid to such individual in excess of such limitation 
if, and to the extent that, such liability takes into account any 
allowance paid under section 5948 of such title. 
(b)(1) The appropriate agency head shall pay, out of any appropri-
ation or fund available to pay allowances under section 5948 of title 
5, United States Code, to any individual as to whom liability is 
relieved under subsection (a), an amount equal to the aggregate of 
any amounts paid by such individual, or withheld from sums other-
wise due such individual, with respect to any liability relieved under 
such subsection. 
(2) A payment under paragraph (1)— 
(A) shall be made only if written application therefor is 
submitted to the appropriate agency head, in accordance with 
such regulations as the President or his designee may prescribe, 
within two years after the date of enactment of this Act; and 
(B) shall not be considered for purposes of applying the limita-
tion set forth in section 5383(b) of title 5, United States Code. 
(c) For the purpose of this section— 
5 u s e 5948 note. 
5 u s e 5948. 
Definitions. 
97 STAT. 1106 
PUBLIC LAW 98-168—NOV. 29, 1983 
(1) the term "aggregate pay", as used with respect to an 
individual, means the aggregate amount paid to such individual 
under sections 4507, 5382, 5384, and 5948 of title 5, United 
States Code; 
(2) the term "appropriate agency head", as used with respect 
to an individual, means the head of the agency employing such 
individual when such individual was paid an allowance with 
respect to which liability is relieved under this subsection; and 
(3) the term "agency' has the meaning given such term by 
5 use 5948. 
section 5948(gX2) of such title. 
Federal 
TITLE II—FEDERAL EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT 
K r e n t 
ADJUSTMENT 
Contribution 
Temporary 
SHORT TITLE 
Adjustment Act 
frJ^^^QQQi 
. 
SEC. 201. This title may be cited as the "Federal Employees' 
5 ubc Hddi note. Retirement Contribution Temporary Adjustment Act of 1983^'. 
STATEMENT OF POUCY 
5 use 8331 note. 
SEC. 202. It is the policy of the Government-
C
D that the amount required to be contributed to certain 
public retirement systems by employees and officers of the 
Government who are also required to pay employment taxes 
42 use 401. 
relating to benefits under title II of the Social Security Act for 
service performed after December 31, 1983, be modified until 
the date on which such employees and officers are covered by a 
new Government retirement system (the design, structure, and 
provisions of which have not been determined on the date of 
enactment of this Act) or January 1, 1986, whichever is earlier; 
(2) that the Treasury be required to pay into such retirement 
systems the remainder of the amount such employees and 
officers would have contributed during such period but for the 
temporary modification; 
(3) that the employing agencies make contributions to the 
retirement systems with respect to such service in amounts 
required by law in effect before January 1, 1984, without reduc-
tion in such amounts; 
(4) that such employees and officers accrue credit for service 
for the purposes of the public retirement systems in effect on 
the date of enactment of this Act until a new Government 
retirement system covering such employees and officers is 
established; 
(5) that, where appropriate, deposits to the credit of such a 
retirement system be required with respect to service performed 
by an employee or officer of the Government during the period 
described in clause (1), and, where appropriate, annuities be 
offset by the amount of certain social security benefits attribut-
able to such service; and 
(6) that such employees and officers who are first employed in 
civilian service by the Government or first take office in civilian 
service in the Government on or after January 1, 1984, become 
subject to such new Government retirement system as may be 
established for employees and officers of the Government on or 
after January 1, 1984, and before January 1, 1986, with credit 
for service performed after December 31, 1983, by such em-
5 use 8331. 
PUBLIC LAW 98-168—NOV. 29, 1983 
97 STAT. 1107 
ployees and officers transferred to such new Government retire-
ment system. 
DEFINITIONS 
SEC. 203. (a) For the purposes of this title— 
(1) the term "covered employee" means any individual whose 5 USC 8331 note, 
service is covered service; 
(2) the term "covered retirement system" means— 
(A) the Civil Service Retirement and Disability System 
under subchapter III of chapter 83 of title 5, United States 
Code; 
(B) the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability System 
under chapter 8 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 
U.S.C. 4041 et seq.); 
(C) the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Dis-
ability System under the Central Intelligence Agency Re-
tirement Act of 1964 for Certain Employees (50 U.S.C. 403 
note); and 
(D) any other retirement system (other than a new 
Government retirement system) under which a covered 
employee who is a participant in the system is required to 
make contributions to the system in an amount equal to a 
portion of the participant's basic pay for covered service, as 
determined by the President; 
(3) the term "covered service" means service which is employ-
ment for the purposes of title II of the Social Security Act and 
42 USC 401. 
chapter 21 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 by reason of 26 USC 3101 
the amendments made by section 101 of the Social Security ^^^eg. 
Amendments of 1983 (97 Stat. 67); and 
(4) the term "new Government retirement system" means any 
retirement system which (A) is established for officers or em-
ployees of the Government by or pursuant to a law enacted 
after December 31, 1983, and before January 1, 1986, and (B) 
takes effect on or before January 1, 1986. 
(b) The President shall publish the determinations made for the Executive order, 
purpose of subsection (a)(2)(D) in an Executive order. 
publication. 
CONTRIBUTION ADJUSTMENTS 
SEC. 204. (a) In the case of a covered employee who is participating 5 USC 8331 note, 
in a covered retirement system, an employing agency shall deduct 
and withhold only 1.3 percent of the basic pay of such employee 
under— 
(1) section 8334 of title 5, United States Code; 
(2) section 805 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 
4045); 
(3) section 211 of the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement 
Act of 1964 for Certain Employees (50 U.S.C. 403 note); or 
(4) any provision of any other covered retirement system 
which requires a participant in the system to make contribu-
tions of a portion of the basic pay of the participant; 
for covered service which is performed after December 31, 1983, and 
before the earlier of the effective date of a new Government retire-
ment system or January 1, 1986. Deductions shall be made and 
withheld as provided by such provisions in the case of covered 
service which is performed on or after such effective date or Janu-
97 STAT. 1108 
PUBLIC LAW 98-168—NOV. 29, 1983 
ary 1, 1986, as the case may be, and is not subject to a new 
Government retirement system. 
(b) Employing agencies of the Government shall make contribu-
tions with respect to service to which subsection (a) of this section 
applies under the second sentence of section 8334(a)(1) of title 5, 
United States Code, the second sentence of section 805(a) of the 
Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 4045(a)), the second sentence 
of section 211(a) of the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement Act 
of 1964 for Certain Employees (50 U.S.C. 403 note), and any provi-
sion of any other covered retirement system requiring a contribu-
tion by the employing agency, as if subsection (a) of this section had 
not been enacted. 
Definitions. 
5 u s e 8331 note. 
5 u s e 8331. 
22 u s e 4041 
et seq. 
Secretary of the 
Treasury, 
notification. 
REIMBURSEMENT FOR CONTRIBUTION DEFICIENCY 
SEC. 205. (a) For purposes of this section— 
(1) the term "contribution deficiency", when used with re-
spect to a covered retirement system, means the excess o
f
— 
(A) the total amount which, but for section 204(a) of this 
Act, would have been deducted and withheld under a provi-
sion referred to in such section from the pay of covered 
employees participating in such retirement system for serv-
ice to which such section applies, over 
(B) the total amount which was deducted and withheld 
from the pay of covered employees for such service as 
provided in section 204(a) of this Act; and 
(2) the term "appropriate agency head" means— 
(A) the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, 
with respect to the Civil Service Retirement and Disability 
System under subchapter III of chapter 83 of title 5, United 
States Code; 
(B) the Secretary of State, with respect to the Foreign 
Service Retirement and Disability System under chapter 8 
of the Foreign Service Retirement Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 404 
et seq.); 
(C) the Director of Central Intelligence, with respect to 
the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability 
System under the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement 
Act of 1964 for Certain Employees (50 U.S.C. 403 note); and 
(D) the officer designated by the President for that pur-
pose in the case of any retirement system described in 
section 203(a)(2XD) of this Act. 
(b) At the end of each of fiscal years 1984, 1985, and 1986, the 
appropriate agency head— 
(1) shall determine the amount of the contribution deficiency 
for such fiscal year in the case of each covered retirement 
system, including the interest that those contributions would 
have earned had they been credited to the fund established for 
the payment of benefits under such retirement system in the 
same manner and at the same time as deductions under the 
applicable provision of law referred to in section 204(a) of this 
Act; and 
(2) shall notify the Secretary of the Treasury of the amount of 
the contribution deficiency in each such case. 
(c) Before closing the accounts for each of fiscal years 1984, 1985, 
and 1986, the Secretary of the Treasury shall credit to the fund 
established for the payment of benefits under each covered retire-
PUBLIC LAW 98-168—NOV. 29, 1983 
97 STAT. 1109 
ment system, as a Government contribution, out of any money in 
the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, an amount equal to the 
amount determined under subsection (b) with respect to that cov-
ered retirement system for the fiscal year involved. 
(d) Amounts credited to a fund under subsection (c) shall be 
accounted for separately than amounts credited to such fund under 
any other provision of law. 
SPECIAL DEPOSIT AND OFFSET RULES RELATING TO RETIREMENT 
BENEFITS FOR INTERIM COVERED SERVICE 
SEC. 206. (a) For the purposes of this section, the term "interim 5 USC 8331 note. 
covered service" means covered service to which section 204(a) 
applies. 
(b)(1) Paragraphs (2) and (3) apply according to the provisions 
thereof only with respect to a covered employee who is employed by 
the Government on December 31, 1983. 
(2)(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the interim 
covered service of such covered employee shall be considered— 
(i) in determining entitlement to and computing the amount 
of an annuity (other than a disability or survivor annuity) 
commencing under a covered retirement system during the 
period beginning January 1, 1984, and ending on the earlier of 
the date a new Government retirement system takes effect or 
January 1, 1986, by reason of the retirement of such covered 
employee during such period only if such covered employee 
makes a deposit to the credit of such covered retirement system 
for such covered service in an amount computed as provided in 
subsection (0; and 
(ii) in computing a disability or survivor annuity which com-
mences under a covered retirement system during such period 
and is based in any part on such interim covered service. 
(B) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an annuity to 
which subparagraph (A)(ii) applies shall be reduced by the portion of 
the amount of any benefits which is payable under title II of the 
Social Security Act and is attributable to the interim covered service 42 USC 401. 
considered in computing the amount of such annuity, as determined 
under subsection (g), unless, in the case of a survivor annuity, a 
covered employee has made a deposit with respect to such covered 
service for the purposes of subparagraph (A)(i) before the date on 
which payment of such annuity commences. 
(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if a new Govern-
ment retirement system is not established or is inapplicable to such 
a covered employee who retires or dies subject to a covered retire-
ment system after the date on which such new Government retire-
ment system takes effect, the interim covered service of such cov-
ered employee shall be considered in determining entitlement to 
and computing the amount of an annuity under a covered retire-
ment system based on the service of such covered employee only if 
such covered employee makes a deposit to the credit of such covered 
retirement system for such covered service in an amount computed 
as provided in subsection (f). 
(c)(1) Paragraphs (2) and (3) apply according to the provisions 
thereof only with respect to a covered employee who was not 
employed by the Government on December 31, 1983. 
(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any annuity 
which commences under a covered retirement system during the 
97 STAT. 1110 
PUBLIC LAW 98-168—NOV. 29, 1983 
period described in subsection (b)(2)(A)(i) and is based, in any part, 
on interim covered service shall be reduced by the portion of the 
amount of any benefits which is payable under title II of the Social 
42 use 401. 
Security Act to the annuitant and is attributable to such service, as 
determined under subsection (g). 
(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if a new Govern-
ment retirement system is not established, the interim covered 
service of such a covered employee who retires or dies after January 
1, 1986, shall be considered in determining entitlement to and 
computing the amount of an annuity under a covered retirement 
system based on the service of such covered employee only if such 
covered employee makes a deposit to the credit of such covered 
retirement system for such covered service in an amount computed 
as provided in subsection (f). 
(d) If a covered employee with respect to whom subsection (b)(3) or 
(c)(3) applies dies without having made a deposit pursuant to such 
subsection, any individual who is entitled to an annuity under a 
covered retirement system based on the service of such covered 
employee or who would be entitled to such an annuity if such 
deposit had been made by the covered employee before death may 
make such deposit after the date of death of such covered employee. 
Service covered by a deposit made pursuant to the first sentence 
shall be considered in determining, in the case of each individual to 
whom the first sentence applies, the entitlement to and the amount 
of an annuity under a covered retirement system based on the 
service of such covered employee. 
(e) A reduction in annuity under subsection (b)(2)(B) or (c)(2) shall 
commence on the first day of the first month after the date on which 
42 use 401. 
payment of benefits under title II of the Social Security Act com-
mence and shall be redetermined each time an increase in such 
benefits takes effect pursuant to section 215(i) of the Social Security 
42 use 415. 
Act. In the case of an annuity of a participant or former participant 
in a covered retirement system, of a surviving spouse or child of 
such participant or former participant, or of any other person 
designated by such participant or former participant to receive an 
annuity, under a covered retirement system (other than a former 
spouse) the reduction in annuity under subsection (b)(2)(B) or (c)(2) 
shall be calculated before any reduction in such annuity provided 
under such system for the purpose of paying an annuity under such 
system to any former spouse of such participant or former partici-
pant based on the service of such participant or former participant. 
(f) For the purposes of subsection (b) or (c), the amount of a deposit 
to the credit of the applicable covered retirement system shall be 
equal to the excess o
f
— 
(1) the total amount which would have been deducted and 
withheld from the basic pay of the covered employee for the 
interim covered service under such covered retirement system 
but for the application of section 204(a), over 
(2) the amount which was deducted and withheld from such 
basic pay for such interim covered service pursuant to section 
204(a) and was not refunded to such covered employee. 
(g) For the purpose of subsections (b)(2)(B) and (c)(2), the portion of 
the amount of the benefits which is payable under title II of the 
42 use 401. 
Social Security Act to an individual and is attributable to interim 
covered service shall be determined by— 
(1) computing the amount of such benefits including credit for 
such service; 
PUBLIC LAW 98-168—NOV. 29, 1983 
97 STAT. 1111 
(2) computing the amount of such benefits, if any, without 
including credit for such service; and 
(3) subtracting the amount computed under clause (2) from 
the amount computed under clause (1). 
(h) The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall furnish to 
the appropriate agency head (as defined in section 205(aX2)) such 
information as such agency head considers necessary to carry out 
this section. 
Information 
submittal. 
TRANSFER OF CREDIT TO NEW RETIREMENT SYSTEM 
SEC. 207. (a) Any covered employee who first becomes employed in 5 USC 8331 note, 
civilian service by the Government or first takes office in civilian 
service in the Government on or after January 1, 1984, shall become 
subject to such new Government retirement system as may be 
established. 
(b) In the case of any covered employee who is subject to a covered 
retirement system on or after January 1, 1984, and thereafter 
becomes subject to a new Government retirement system— 
{1) credit for the service of such employee to which section 
204(a) applies shall be transferred from such covered retirement 
system to the new Government retirement system for the pur-
poses of the new Government retirement system; and 
(2) such service shall be considered not to be creditable service 
for the purposes of such covered retirement system, 
effective on the date on which such employee becomes subject to 
such new Government retirement system. 
ELECTIONS BY CERTAIN COVERED EMPOLYEES 
SEC. 208. (a) Any individual performing service of a type referred 5 USC 8331 note, 
to in clause ih, (ii), (iii), or (iv) of section 210(aX5) of the Social 
Security Act beginning on or before December 31, 1983, may— Ante, p. 67. 
(1) if such individual is then currently a participant in a 
covered retirement system, elect by written application submit-
ted before January 1,1984— 
(A) to terminate participation in such system, effective 
after December 31,1983; or 
(B) to remain under such system, as if the preceding 
sections of this Act and the amendments made by this Act 
had not been enacted; or 
(2) if such individual is then currently not a participant in a 
covered retirement system, elect by written application— 
(A) to become a participant under such system (if such 
individual is otherwise eligible to participate in the system), 
subject to the preceding sections of this Act and the amend-
ments made by this Act; or 
(B) to become a participant under such system (if such 
individual is otherwise eligible to participate in the system), 
as if the preceding sections of this Act and the amendments 
made by this Act had not been enacted. 
(b) An application by an individual under subsection (a) shall be 
submitted to the official by whom such covered employee is paid. 
(c) Any individual who elects to terminate participation in a 
covered retirement system under subsection (aXlXA) is entitled to 
have such individual's contributions to the retirement system 
refunded, in accordance with applicable provisions of law, as if such 
Refund of 
retirement 
contributions. 
97 STAT. 1112 
PUBLIC LAW 98-168—NOV. 29, 1983 
individual had separated from service as of the effective date of 
the election. 
(d) Any individual who is eligible to make an election under 
subparagraph (A) or (B) of subsection (aXl), but who does not make 
an election under either such subparagraph, shall be subject to the 
preceding sections of this Act and the amendments made by this 
Act. 
TITLE III—SENIOR EXECUTIVE SERVICE 
Report to 
SEC. 301. (a) The Office of Personnel Management shall study and, 
5^SC^5383 t 
wit^^i" 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act, submit to 
each House of the Congress a report on the effect which section 
5383(b) of title 5, United States Code (relating to the maximum 
aggregate amount payable to a member of the Senior Executive 
Service in a fiscal year) has had with respect to recruitment, reten-
tion, and morale of career appointees in the Senior Executive 
Service. 
(b) Section 3135(a)(7) of title 5, United States Code, is amended to 
read as follows: 
"(7) for the preceding fiscal year, by agency— 
"(A) the number of performance awards, and the number 
of ranks, conferred, as well as the respective aggregate 
amounts paid for such awards and ranks; 
"(B) the percentage of career appointees in such agency 
who received any such award, and the percentage who 
received any such rank; and 
"(C) the name of each individual who received any such 
award or rank, the award or rank received, and a brief 
summary of the reasons why such individual was selected;". 
Approved November 29, 1983. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 2077 (S. 1009): 
HOUSE REPORT No. 98-542 (Comm. of Conference). 
SENATE REPORTS: No. 98-218 accompanying S. 1009 (Comm. on Governmental 
Affairs) and No. 98-307 (Comm. of Conference). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 129 (1983): 
Sept. 19, considered and passed House. 
Sept. 30, considered and passed Senate, amended, in lieu of S. 1009. 
Nov. 4, House concurred in Senate amendment with an amendment; Senate 
concurred in House amendment with an amendment. 
Nov. 11, Senate agreed to conference report. 
Nov. 16, House agreed to conference report.