Anybody retire 12/31/2021 ? I did and feel like I'm adrift !

I retired end of Sept 21, got final check with annual leave payout first pay period in Oct, received first interim near end of Nov then started receiving interims on first of each month. Finalized first payment was March plus official booklet. Interim payment seemed to be estimated annuity minus health, dental, vision, life, then it was taxed for federal. No worries, other than sending benefeds a check for vision and dental. No penalties/no interest!
 
Sorry for your loss.

nasa1974 said:
Hang in their folks. OPM might be slow, but it gets done.
My wife passed away on 11/13/21 from cancer. I had all my paperwork into OPM for the changes that had to be made by the end of 11/2021. As of 7/1/22 I got my updated pension check.
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I liked your post NASA because it sounded upbeat, but really sorry for your loss if I haven’t said so already. I can’t imagine that yet.


Scott Harrison
Senatobia, MS
 
Hang in their folks. OPM might be slow, but it gets done.
My wife passed away on 11/13/21 from cancer. I had all my paperwork into OPM for the changes that had to be made by the end of 11/2021. As of 7/1/22 I got my updated pension check.
 
well, still getting interim payments, and no other information or booklet or counselor or explanation of benefits. I am still continuing to write a check to benefeds to pay for vision and dental insurance. Hopefully they figure out the backpay due all the way back to when I retired on 12/31/2021.
I am grateful for the interim payments for sure !
 
Well, finally got my first interim payment last week. Roughly 50 percent of what it should be for JAN thru end of APR. I have an online account now with OPM but no information on there yet, doesnt even show the interim payments. Also still have not received the packet or "booklet" or an assigned counselor. And I'm still being billed by benefeds for vision and dental insurance.

I should make a killing in penalties and interest and late fees right? TIC lol
 
Shovelhead,

Hopefully it should be all smooth sailing from here now that you got past the ABC mess.

Happy Trails :)
 
shovelhead said:
Evilanne, ABC has had their phones shut off since 31 JAN. But at least they finally got around to doing a SF50, which was then sent to OPM. Took a huge tax hit on the VSIP and AL sellback. Also was under the impression it would be paid out at the higher JAN 2022 raise but it was not, it was based on last year's salary.
I did get a notice this morning that OPM is processing my interim payment and should see it in 5 to 7 days from now and at the first of the month every month thereafter. No word on how long until the full amount but I've heard from others that could be 6 months or so.
So the timeline for me so far is retired 31 DEC. AL and VSIP pay-15 APR. First interim payment o/a 3 MAY.
I've also had to pay the FEDVIP premiums for vision and dental since they weren't getting paid. FEHB is good to go and they told me they dont cut anyone off unless OPM tells them too, so thats a relief but question now is, will they take a lump sum out of the first interim to payback BC/BS for 5 months of health insurance.
TIme to go work on another project, have a great day all !
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They will not take out premiums for dental and vision from the interim checks, to my knowledge. Thanks for the cut-off info. I can see a lot of people goofing that up.
 
Evilanne, ABC has had their phones shut off since 31 JAN. But at least they finally got around to doing a SF50, which was then sent to OPM. Took a huge tax hit on the VSIP and AL sellback. Also was under the impression it would be paid out at the higher JAN 2022 raise but it was not, it was based on last year's salary.
I did get a notice this morning that OPM is processing my interim payment and should see it in 5 to 7 days from now and at the first of the month every month thereafter. No word on how long until the full amount but I've heard from others that could be 6 months or so.
So the timeline for me so far is retired 31 DEC. AL and VSIP pay-15 APR. First interim payment o/a 3 MAY.
I've also had to pay the FEDVIP premiums for vision and dental since they weren't getting paid. FEHB is good to go and they told me they dont cut anyone off unless OPM tells them too, so thats a relief but question now is, will they take a lump sum out of the first interim to payback BC/BS for 5 months of health insurance.
TIme to go work on another project, have a great day all !
 
For Shovelhead & BMan, have you contacted your federal Representative or Senators?

I didn't have any issue with ABC or OPM but did have a delay with VSIP payment (agency funding issue). OPM process to finalize took about 4 months to finalize but interim payments were pretty quick.

Note: Sometimes calling any Government agency is hit or miss as to getting a hold of someone that is helpful and sometimes just calling back to get a different person (if you can get through) works. It is a good idea if you are having difficulty to make sure to write down the names of anyone you talk to regarding the status in case it needs to be elevated.

exnavyew said:
Just a general comment regarding dealing with federal agencies. Every American citizen has the right to request what's called a 'congressional inquiry' with their congressional FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVE if you've having problems with a FEDERAL (not state) agency. You call your local FED rep, explain your issue and they will route you to the appropriate person in that office to get all the pertinent info and get the ball rolling in solving your issue.
Example: many years ago my mother's Medicare was 'shut off' inexplicably. Also I noticed that her Social Security check had not been deposited for that month either. I called my local FEDERAL REP, I described in detail what was going on and in less than a week her SS check was deposited and her Medicare coverage was 'turned back on'! Federal agencies respond quickly to a 'congressional inquiry' because Congress controls their funding and they want to keep them happy. :D
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shovelhead said:
So an update. Recall I retired on 31 DEC. Got paid out the VSIP and AL two weeks ago. Still no pension but Friday I got my CSA card but no password. OPM wont answer the phone due to the backlog per the messages. I think the major problem with my case is at the Army Benefits Center since they are the first wicket that cut the SF50 and thus once I got the AL payout, the ball was starting to roll. Will be interesting to see how long it takes to start getting interim payments and then the full amount, but it just doesnt make sense that the Govt does such a poor job and arent accountable at all. I would never want the GOVT to run anything. Sadly where I worked, 10% of the people did 90% of the work. I feel sorry for those who dont have the savings or resources to weather the delay and have all their golden year retirment plans for travel and such on hold because they've depleted their savings to live on.
More to come as I hear more ! Good news is spring is finally here !
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Sorry you're having such a rough go of it. Hang in there.
 
So an update. Recall I retired on 31 DEC. Got paid out the VSIP and AL two weeks ago. Still no pension but Friday I got my CSA card but no password. OPM wont answer the phone due to the backlog per the messages. I think the major problem with my case is at the Army Benefits Center since they are the first wicket that cut the SF50 and thus once I got the AL payout, the ball was starting to roll. Will be interesting to see how long it takes to start getting interim payments and then the full amount, but it just doesnt make sense that the Govt does such a poor job and arent accountable at all. I would never want the GOVT to run anything. Sadly where I worked, 10% of the people did 90% of the work. I feel sorry for those who dont have the savings or resources to weather the delay and have all their golden year retirment plans for travel and such on hold because they've depleted their savings to live on.
More to come as I hear more ! Good news is spring is finally here !
 
My retirement process started with the Army Benefits Center and the GRB system at the front end has a very logical process for submitting everything required for a seamless application.

I’ve only known of one other Corps of Engineers employee to have a jammed up application and that was due to issues with a previous marriage. I was with that agency for 28 years and retirement problems were rarely heard of.


Scott Harrison
Senatobia, MS
 
Good to see RangerRay get through the process OK. The OPM website is pretty good at providing the detail breakout once you have your CSA number and password to access.

Did shovelhead or bman6945 ever get things straightened out?



shovelhead said:
Congrats bman ! congrats on the AL payout. I still have not heard a word on a counselor or anything. Im still getting an LES that basically says I on LWOP.

Not Benefeds is after me to pay for my vision and dental insurance premiums since there is no "paycheck" deduction.
Not fun right now with all the uncertainty.
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bman6945 said:
Congrats on the retirement! Fellow 12/31/21 retiree. Still waiting to hear anything from OPM. NFC sent notice they had forwarded my case to OPM 2/1, but silence since then. Did get my AL payout mid-January, so that was good, but would really like to see an interim payment sometime soon...
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James48843 said:
Ok- we’ll, it’s good news that your booklet is enroute and at least you got some money started. Congratulations! You’ve officially joined us retired folks! Great job.


Sent from my iPhone using TSP Talk Forums
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Thanks! My lawn mowing is picking up nicely too, so it’s going to be a great summer!


Scott Harrison
Senatobia, MS
 
rangerray said:
As memory serves, I got a notification before the first of the month that my retirement case has been finalized and I will receive a personalized benefits booklet within 2-3 weeks. I still have not received my packet.

On 4/1 I got money, which I assume is my first full check and back pay, but I still don’t know how that total amount breaks down. There isn’t an entry yet on Retirement Services online. I suppose all will be explained in the booklet that’s coming.

So, about four months or so for mine to settle out, but I still haven’t seen the details yet.


Scott Harrison
Senatobia, MS
Click to expand...

Ok- we’ll, it’s good news that your booklet is enroute and at least you got some money started. Congratulations! You’ve officially joined us retired folks! Great job.


Sent from my iPhone using TSP Talk Forums
 
As memory serves, I got a notification before the first of the month that my retirement case has been finalized and I will receive a personalized benefits booklet within 2-3 weeks. I still have not received my packet.

On 4/1 I got money, which I assume is my first full check and back pay, but I still don’t know how that total amount breaks down. There isn’t an entry yet on Retirement Services online. I suppose all will be explained in the booklet that’s coming.

So, about four months or so for mine to settle out, but I still haven’t seen the details yet.


Scott Harrison
Senatobia, MS
 
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