Benefits Personnel
Benefits personnel -- this section is for you! The following information will help you respond
to questions from employees who are unsure of which retirement system to choose. It is important
to encourage all employees who are eligible to transfer to FERS to read the FERS Transfer Handbook! This Handbook contains enough information so that all employees can make a decision on their own.
Note that links to the full text of the FERS Transfer Handbook are available throughout this website.
Please be sure that employees are aware of this website and that they have taken the time to
explore the many resources provided here.
Just because you have been charged with handling FERS transfer inquiries, you may not feel confident
that you can answer all employee questions. You may at times feel that there is no way you can
become knowledgeable enough of both CSRS and FERS to respond to employee concerns. Remember that you
are not supposed to make decisions for employees; you are not to recommend one plan over the other. You are only supposed to present employees with the facts, or point them in the
direction of the facts, and let them make their own decisions.
If an employee asks you a question and you are not sure of the answer -- don't guess! Wrong answers can have serious, negative consequences. Research the answer using this website and other available resources. If you are still unsuccessful in finding an answer, you may refer the question to your appropriate agency personnel.
Information Briefs - Employee Assistance
OPM Publications - Elections Administration
FERS Election Forms - Electronic Forms