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FERS Retiree Annuity Supplement Explainer – production brief

Plain-language explainer covering supplement eligibility, calculation basics, earnings limits, and action steps before age 62.

Snapshot

Status: Briefing

Owner: Content team

Last updated: 2024-05-01

Target keywords: fers supplement eligibility, fers annuity supplement earnings test, bridge to social security federal, fers supplement calculator

Primary CTAs: Open calculator, Download worksheet, Subscribe for updates

Audience & Goal

  • Primary reader: FERS employees planning to retire before 62 with 20-30 years of service who just saw the supplement flag in the calculator.
  • Desired outcome: Reader understands whether they qualify, how long payments last, and how to estimate the amount using available tools.

Key Sections

Breakdown of the explainer structure.

  • 1. Quick definition: Plain-language overview, why OPM offers it, and the bridge-to-Social-Security framing.
  • 2. Eligibility checklist: Bullet list covering immediate retirement requirements, age under 62, 20/30 year rules, exclusion of deferred/MRA+10 postpone cases.
  • 3. How the amount is estimated: Formula overview (SS at 62 x service/40), what data is needed, recommend requesting SSA statement, note that calculator v1 does not compute dollars yet.
  • 4. Earnings test implications: Explain the Social Security earnings test crossover, thresholds, and reduction examples. Include table of earnings limits.
  • 5. When the supplement ends: Highlight age 62 cutoff, no COLA until 62, impact of reemployment.
  • 6. Action steps: Request official estimate from agency, plan for income gap post-62, coordinate with TSP withdrawals.

Supporting Assets

  • Downloadable worksheet: Simple worksheet where users record Social Security at 62, service years, and calculate rough supplement amount manually.
  • FAQ section: Address common misconceptions (e.g., supplement taxed, not payable in deferred retirements, survivors do not receive it).

Calls-to-Action

  • Primary: Return to the FERS Retirement Calculator to test scenarios with supplement flag context.
  • Secondary: Download the worksheet to calculate a personal estimate.
  • Tertiary: Subscribe for policy updates that impact earnings limits.

Editorial Notes

  • Confirm earnings test thresholds with latest SSA publication before publishing.
  • Add disclaimer that this article does not replace official OPM estimate or financial advice.
  • Link to OPM, FEDweek, and MyFEDBenefits resources cited to reinforce credibility.