Washington, D.C. 20530

October 15, 2004

MEMORANDUM FOR EMPLOYEES IN JUSTICE MANAGEMENT DIVISION¹

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) approved the Department's request for a voluntary early retirement authority (VERA) for the Justice Management Division (JMD).

1. Any employees who have not been continuously on the Department’s rolls since at least 31 days before the date of our request, December 23, 2003;


2. Employees serving under time-limited appointments; and


3. Employees in receipt of a decision of involuntary separation for misconduct or unsatisfactory performance.

1. The employee must have been continuously on the rolls of a JMD organization since November 22, 2003; and


2. The employee must separate no later than December 31, 2004and


3. The employee must have at least 25 years of creditable service (without regard to age); or


4. The employee must be at least age 50 and have at least 20 years of creditable service.

For the JMD, the early retirement window period has been established as October 15, 2004, through November 15, 2004. Employees must declare their intention during this time period and separate no later than December 31, 2004.

Those retiring with a VERA must have been covered under the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) and Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) programs (1) for the last five years of their service in order to continue such coverage in retirement, or (2) if less than five years, for all service since the employee was eligible for these benefits. However, for FEHB only, OPM will grant pre-approved waivers to individuals who meet certain criteria. Those employees who do not qualify for a pre-approved waiver may request a waiver on a case-by-case basis by asking OPM to waive the participation requirement in their case.

An employee under age 55 and covered by the Civil Service Retirement System will incur a penalty in the calculation of the annuity.

In addition, employees should be aware that, subject to changes in the staffing or budgeting situation on which this authority was based, JMD may need to further limit offers after offers are announced. VERAs will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Management may subsequently establish and publicize new opening and closing dates, or a revised number of applications, when a change in management’s need to offer voluntary early retirement has occurred.

If you meet these criteria and are interested in exploring further the possibility of voluntary early retirement, please contact Mrs. Mary Lou Soffer, your servicing retirement counselor, at (202) 514-6791.

I want to assure you that this important decision is yours alone and that no employee will be coerced in making this decision.

¹This memorandum applies to employees in the Justice Management Division including employees in Working Capital Fund positions.

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