Frequently Asked Questions
(This article was first published in the March/April 2006 issue of The American Postal Worker magazine. Retirees dues are now $3 per month. This article has been edited to reflect the change)
Q — Who can receive an annuity?
If you meet the requirements for a retirement benefit, you are eligible to receive an annuity based on your length of service and your highest three consecutive years of pay. The information in your application is used to determine if you are applying for regular retirement, an early-out option, a disability option, or a discontinued service annuity. The application also is used to check the service listed on your payroll records.
Q — How much will my interim payment be?
For most retirees, interim payments average more than 85 percent of what their ultimate final benefit will be. Interim payments can be smaller, however, if retirees:
- Have received a refund for retirement deductions previously paid;
- Have service (after Oct. 1, 1982 ) not covered by the retirement system, such as casual or temporary employment.
- Have service for which a deposit has not been paid.
Q — What records are needed for my health benefits?
Your official personnel folder should contain a record of all your health benefits registration forms, the Standard Form 2809, and, if appropriate, Standard Form 2810 (Notice of Change in Health Benefits). One of the first things you should check before you retire is whether your records show a health insurance enrollment history for the last five years.
Q — What can I do if I am eligible to continue my health benefits coverage but my retirement payment will not cover the cost of my premium?
You can pay health insurance premiums directly to the Office of Personnel Management. In a case where your premiums exceed your retirement payments, OPM will provide instructions on how to make the payments. (These payments should not be forwarded until the correct information has been obtained from OPM.)
Q — How do I plan for providing benefits to my survivors after my death?
Your personnel officer will review with you the election opportunities for providing benefits after your death to your spouse, ex-spouse, or another person that you designate as having an insurable interest in your continuing life. If you do not provide for a monthly benefit after your death, your designated survivor will not be able to continue coverage under the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program.
When choosing to provide a benefit after your death, you must obtain your spouse’s written consent if you wish to provide less than the maximum benefit allowed. Before you can designate an insurable interest, you must have a physical examination at your own expense.
For additional information, visit the OPM Web site, www.opm.gov. You may also call OPM at 888-767-6738, or its Washington, DC, headquarters at 202-606-0526.
Q — Who should I call if I have questions about my claim?
If you need to contact OPM before you receive your claim number, first contact your former payroll office to find the date your records were transferred to OPM. Your payroll office should provide you with the number and date of the Register of Separations and Transfers. You will also need your Payroll Identification Number.
Q — How do I join the APWU Retirees Department?
If you would like information before you retire, please call 877-APWU-NOW and we will provide you with much of what you need. After your retirement begins, we will send you a “Make Your Retirement Even Better” packet. APWU Retirees’ dues are just $3 per month* and can be deducted from your annuity check. The kit includes an 1187 form that helps you set this up.
We are glad that you chose to be a union member all these years and we hope that as a retiree you will continue your affiliation with the APWU!