2017 VERA/VSIP Opportunity National Capital Region Medical Directorate (NCR-MD) CHRC Briefing January 2017 Welcome to the 2016 VERA/VSIP briefing. We will provide an overview of what is VERA/What is VSIP, Timelines, Calculations, & ABC Contact Information.

What is VERA/VSIP? Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA) and Voluntary Separation Incentive Pay (VSIP) are flexibilities for reshaping the civilian workforce Civilian employees who eligible, apply and are approved may retire earlier than they would normally be eligible, and/or receive a monetary incentive

Voluntary Early Retirement Authority What is VERA? Voluntary Early Retirement Authority Temporarily lowers the age and service requirements for retirement to increase the number of employees who are eligible VERA Approval The recommendation process for applications follows the Chain of Command structure Recommendations are made based on the restructuring options for the employee’s position Chain of Command is immediate supervisor (department head), department head (director), MTF/Center Director, CHRC, NCR-MD, and finally DHA for approval.

Who is eligible for VERA? Must meet age and service requirements: At least 50 years of age with 20 years of creditable service, or Any age with at least 25 years of creditable service Must be a U.S. citizen Must be on a permanent appointment (Serving under an appointment without time limitation) Must have been continuously employed within the Department of Defense for more than 30 days as of 1 January 2017 If employees are approved for VERA: He or she must voluntarily retire If the employee receives a retention incentive, it must be terminated effective on or before VERA window closes (17 February 2017) There are specific requirements that must be met as indicated on this slide. You must submit your application before COB 17 Feb 2017.

Who is NOT eligible to apply for VERA? Currently under a service agreement, including relocation or recruitment incentives Reemployed Annuitant Eligible for disability retirement under any Federal Employee Retirement System Have received a decision notice of involuntary separation for misconduct or unacceptable performance There are 4 categories that are not eligible for VERA. If you have any questions, feel free to contact our office.

Voluntary Separation Incentive Pay What is VSIP? Voluntary Separation Incentive Pay Commonly known as a “buy-out” Management tool to encourage employees to voluntarily separate by either retirement or resignation Not an employee entitlement VSIP Approval The approval process follows the Chain of Command structure Recommendations are made based on the restructuring options for the position Positions cannot be filled as the same position – must be abolished or restructured VSIP is Voluntary Separation Incentive Pay. You must meet certain criteria to be eligible. If approved for VSIP there are certain requirements that will prevent you from returning to federal service.

Who is eligible to receive VSIP? Must be a U.S. citizen Must be on a permanent appointment (serving under an appointment without time limitation) Must have been continuously employed by the DoD for 12 months If employees are approved for VSIP Must voluntarily retire or resign, and Retention incentive (if applicable) will be terminated by the end of the application period (17 February 2017) Here are the requirements for VSIP eligibility. Please note the difference between VERA’s requirements of 30 day vs. VSIP 12 months continuous employment.

Who is NOT eligible to apply for VSIP? Reemployed Annuitant; Is eligible for disability retirement; Has received a decision notice of involuntary separation for misconduct or poor performance; Previously received any VSIP from the Federal Government; Currently on a service agreement related to receiving Student Loan Repayment, Recruitment or Relocation Incentive. There are 5 categories that are not eligible for VSIP. If you have any questions, feel free to contact our office.

Who is NOT eligible to apply for VSIP? (Continued) Employees occupying positions designated by DoD and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) as ongoing severe shortage of candidates, critical hire, and/or mission critical as follows: In addition to the 5 categories listed, there may be certain positions as identified in this slide that are not included in this year’s VERA/VSIP, due to temporary shortage of candidates, critical hire and/or being identified as mission critical. Skill Type 3 Skill Type 4 Skill Type 5 610-Nurses 647-Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist 649-Medical Instrument Technicians 645-Medical Technicians 644-Medical Technologists 621-Nursing Assistants 661-Pharmacy Technicians 620-Practical Nurses 181-Psychology Technicians 690-Industrial Hygienists 2210-Information Technology Management (Information Security only)

VSIP Personnel Action and Payment Employees accepting a VSIP buyout must sign an agreement statement Confirming the voluntary nature of the action, and Indicating an understanding of the reemployment restrictions, and Identifying the incentive payment terms (How you want to receive the VSIP) Employees have three options for payment In a lump-sum payment up to $25,000 (before taxes) In bi-weekly payments in equal amounts at a rate selected by the employee Receive one half of the buyout 6 months following the separation and the remaining half 6 months later If approved, separate instructions will be e-mailed on options in payout. Be mindful of any timelines/suspense dates indicated.

How is VSIP calculated? VSIP is calculated based on length of service and employee’s age (same manner as severance pay). Employees can use the severance pay calculator to determine VSIP amount. The calculator is available in EBIS (you can find a link to EBIS at https://www.abc.army.mil ) The amount actually received is less than the calculator shows, because of deduction of taxes – Federal, state, social security, Medicare as appropriate, and/or the $25,000 cap on VSIP The method of calculating VSIP is the same as the method used for severance pay. Severance pay is the amount of money an eligible employee would receive if being involuntarily separated such as through Reduction in Force. Age adjustment adds 10 percent of the basic allowance for each year that you exceed age 40 at the time of separation. A severance pay calculator is available in EBIS (link on in ABC-C’s web site). It is easy to use and you will see the immediate amount of the calculation.

Sample Severance Pay Calculations and Comparison to VSIP EMPLOYEE A Total Salary: $63,673 Date of Separation: 04/30/2012 Date of Birth: 10/26/1979 Service at Separation: 13 yrs, 7 mos Age at Separation: 32 yrs, 6 mos Weekly Basic Pay: $1,220 Summary: Basic Severance Allowance: $20,746 Age Adjustment Allowance: $0.00 Total Severance Pay: $20,746 Maximum VSIP: $20,746 EMPLOYEE B Total Salary: $73,619 Date of Separation: 04/30/2012 Date of Birth: 05/31/1950 Service at Separation: 26 yrs, 0 mos Age at Separation: 51 yrs, 11 mos Weekly Basic Pay: $1, 411 Summary: Basic Severance Allowance: $59,262 Age Adjustment Allowance: $80,709 Total Severance Pay: $80,746 Maximum VSIP: $25,000 This is a sample of calculated severance pay. Notice that employee A is only receiving $20,000 VSIP where as employee B is granted $25,000. This is because the amount eligible/allowed under the severance pay.

Can I return to work if I accept VSIP and/or VERA? If you retire under VERA without a VSIP buyout You may return immediately to the Federal Government as a re-employed annuitant; or you may accept a non-appropriated fund position; or work as a contractor If you accept a VSIP buyout and within 5 years of the date of the separation accept employment for compensation with the Government of the United States, including work under a personal services contract or other direct contract, you must repay the entire amount of the VSIP to the agency that paid it – before your first day of reemployment A DoD employee who receives a buyout may not be reemployed by the Department of Defense for 12 months after separation. An employee may return to any Federal agency after 5 years without having to pay back any VSIP buyout amount received VSIP Employment Restrictions Employees are restricted from working for DoD for 12 months. Employment in any Federal agency within 5 years will require you to pay back the money before taxes.

Commencement Date of Annuity for Retirement Effective date of voluntary option and early retirement for both CSRS and FERS employees is 31 May 2017 Annuity begins to accrue the following day, to be paid 6 to 8 weeks after your retirement date Submit paperwork for retirement (SF3107) to the Army Benefits Center-Civilian (ABC-C) at the same time you submit your application for VERA/VSIP to your Department Head, so ABC-C has enough time to process If your application for VERA/VSIP is not approved, you can withdraw retirement application from ABC-C Log in to EBIS to obtain retirement estimate – link from https://www.abc.army.mil Retirement paperwork must be submitted at the same time as your application for VERA/VSIP, which is COB 17 Feb 2017. The retirement application is more detailed and longer than the VERA/VSIP applications. Employee has until 28 Apr 2016 to withdraw retirement application from ABC-C. Note: If approved for VERA/VSIP you must be off the rolls by 31 May 2017.

ABC-C – Contact Information NCR-MD employees are serviced by the Army Benefits Center-Civilian (ABC-C) in Fort Riley, Kansas ABC-C website: https://www.abc.army.mil Toll-free telephone number is 1-877-276-9287 Toll-free TDD for the hearing impaired is 1-877-276-9833 Available to those without computer access For telephone tree purposes, select the “Army civilian” option You don’t have to write this contact information down – the slides will be posted to SharePoint. Reminder: a link to EBIS can be found on the ABC-C web site in the upper right hand corner of the home page.

NCR-MD FY 17 VERA/VSIP Timeline 3 Jan – 31 Jan 2017 – WRNMMC VERA/VSIP Town Hall Briefings 1 Feb – 17 Feb 2017 – Open Window for employees to apply for VERA or VSIP; verify retirement eligibility and complete part 1 of application, submit to Department Head 1 Feb – 3 Mar 2017 – WRNMMC Leadership completes Parts 2-4 of the VERA/VSIP application and recommends approval/disapproval of each application. 1 Feb – 17 Mar 2017 - CHRC completes Part 5 of the application. 1 Feb – 24 Mar 2017 – NCR-MD completes Part 6 of the application; submits to DHA. 27 Mar – 28 Apr 2017 – (approximate time frame) Director, DHA makes final decision NLT 5 May 2017 – Employees who applied will be notified of decision by letter NLT 31 May 2017 - Employees approved for VERA and/or VSIP must be off the rolls Restructured positions must begin recruitment process NMT 60 days after effective date of employee separation

What the Employee Needs to Do Action Instruction Timeframe Confirm your eligibility for VERA/VSIP Confirm you meet the age and service requirements Confirm you meet the requirements listed on the VERA/VSIP application Contact your HRL representative or the CHRC with further questions NLT 17 Feb Fill out and submit VERA/VSIP application Download the application Fill out Part 1 of the VERA/VSIP application Submit to your Department Head 3. Fill out ABC-C paperwork Download the ABC-C application at https://www.abc.army.mil Complete and turn in retirement paperwork to ABC-C If Approved… 4. Receive Letter of Approval from NCR-MD You will receive a letter confirming your approval for VSIP and/or VERA NLT 5 May 5. Submit final ABC-C application with Letter of Approval from NCR-MD Send ABC-C a copy of your Letter of Approval Send ABC-C your retirement paperwork if you haven’t already done so NLT 9 May 6. Ensure submission of RPA Manager or Admin sends Retirement RPA to CHRC for processing If NOT approved… Withdraw retirement paperwork from ABC-C Contact your Department Head for questions NLT 11 May If ABC-C confirms eligibility… 7. Contact HRL Contact HRL representative to begin out-processing If NOT found eligible… Contact CHRC for questions (dha.bethesda.ncr-medical.mbx.ncr-md-chrc@mail.mil)

References VSIP Authority VERA Authority 5 U.S.C. 3521 5 CFR Part 576 http://www.federalretirement.net/buyout_vsip.htm VERA Authority 5 U.S.C. 8336(d)(2)(D) for CSRS 5 U.S.C. 8414(b)(1)(B) for FERS 5 CFR Part 831.114 for CSRS 5 CFR Part 842.213 for FERS http://www.federalretirement.net/early_retirements.htm

For further information, please contact Questions? For further information, please contact WRNMMC VERA/VSIP POC: steven.p.sundell.civ@mail.mil