581 General

 

Reference Note: For additional material concerning the subject matter found in 581, refer to: CSRS and FERS Handbook for Personnel and Payroll Offices, Chapters 10 and 20.

581.1 Scope

See 580 covers the basic portion of FERS. Social Security is covered in 570. The Thrift Savings Plan is covered in 590. The CSRS is covered in 560.

581.2 Administration

OPM administers the basic portion of FERS. The FERS laws, policies, and regulations issued by OPM, including those governing employee eligibility and benefits, are controlling in the event of conflict with the information in this subchapter.

581.3 Employees Covered

FERS applies to:

1. Employees whose initial career appointment was January 1, 1984, or later;
2. Employees whose initial career appointment was prior to January 1, 1984, but who subsequently had a break in service of 366 days or more and had less than 5 years of creditable civilian service prior to January 1, 1987;
3. Career employees who elected to be covered by FERS.

581.4 Exclusions

FERS does not apply to:

1. Noncareer employees;
2. Employees who had 5 or more years of creditable civilian service under CSRS rules as of December 31, 1986, even though none of this service was covered by CSRS deductions (such as substitute rural carriers) unless they elect FERS coverage;
3. Employees previously covered by CSRS who have a break in service of 365 days or less;
4. Employees serving under appointments limited to 1 year or less; and
5. Employees covered by another retirement system.