Federal Employment Law Firm of Aaron D. Wersing

The Lawyers for Federal Employees

Federal employees have unique rights unlike other employees, and many of those rights are governed by specific laws that are unique to federal employees. At the Federal Employment Law Firm of Aaron D Wersing, our team of experienced federal employment lawyers is dedicated to helping federal employees understand and protect their rights.

Just like other employees, federal employees can face an array of challenges. When these challenges require you to file a lawsuit, an administrative complaint, or a claim for benefits, it is important that you have a knowledgeable advocate on your side.

The Federal Employment Law Firm of Aaron D Wersing has experience with all types of legal issues affecting federal employees, including disability claims, discrimination and harassment, whistleblower claims, retaliation, wrongful termination, and other adverse employment actions.

If you are a federal employee, the process for protecting your rights is different than for most employees in the private sector. It is important that you have an attorney with specific experience in federal employee law, not just general employment law.

Our practice is directly focused specifically on federal employee law.

Enforcing your rights as a federal employee frequently involves navigating various layers of bureaucracy.

Additionally, it can often be challenging to determine which agency is responsible for your specific type of claim and what process that agency requires you to comply with.

The Law Office of Aaron D. Wersing has experience working with numerous agencies across the federal government regarding federal employee issues. These issues can include complaints or claims involving:

When dealing with claims before these agencies, even small mistakes, such as missing filing deadlines, failing to gather adequate supporting documents, or filing a claim with the wrong agency can be costly.

Having an experienced federal employee lawyer on your side can make all the difference.

At the Federal Employment Law Firm of Aaron D Wersing, our team of federal employment attorneys is passionate about helping federal employees with any legal issues they may face. If you need help pursuing benefits you are entitled to or protecting your rights against wrongful conduct, contact us today.

How We Can Serve You

Meet Aaron Wersing

Federal Employee Attorney

Aaron Wersing is the founder of the Federal Employment Law Firm of Aaron D Wersing PLLC. His practice focuses solely on assisting federal employees in a broad array of litigation and transactional matters. Mr. Wersing’s practice includes the evaluation and resolution of a diverse variety of federal employment matters.

Meet Ellen Sprovach

Managing Attorney

Ellen Sprovach, Esq. is a board-certified managing attorney here at FEDLAW.

Meet Jacquelyn Trevino

Senior Attorney

Jacquelyn Trevino, Esq. is a senior attorney here at FEDLAW.

Meet Leah Badri-Moradi

Attorney

Leah Badri-Moradi, Esq. is a federal employment attorney here at FEDLAW.

Meet Patrick J. Paradise

Attorney

Patrick J. Paradise is a federal employment attorney here at FEDLAW.

Client Testimonials

  • I can’t say enough good things about Mr. Wersing. He was dedicated to my case and because of his dedication he won my case. I was lost without him. I went to many attorney’s and all of them told me they were unable to help me because the government was to hard to fight against, but not Mr. Wersing. He knew his stuff . If your looking for an attorney who treats you like a person and just not like another number, Mr. Wersing is that attorney. He knows his stuff and will fight for your rights. I can never thank him enough.

    - Sandy | EEOC
  • Aaron Wersing is at the very top of every attorney I have met or dealt with. He is a patient, pleasant and professional attorney who is mission oriented and dedicated to get the job done. He helped me through a very arduous disability process allowing me to keep my self dignity and respect. I cannot imagine working with any attorney other than Aaron Wersing when applying for Fers Disability or any other employment & labor, employee benefits or workers compensation issues.

    - Howard M. | FERS Disability
  • Aaron is not only confident in getting things done, he is very compassionate and caring. He is a true fighter for what he believes is right. My case was a bit complicated but Aaron never backed down. Applying for OPM can be daunting and personal. Aaron has the ability to keep you focused and on track which means he understands how emotional it can be for somebody that has to retire due to medical conditions. Because of Aaron my OPM was approved the first time and we didn't have to do a reconsideration. If you want a good attorney that will fight for you, Aaron is your man. I will be forever thankful.

    - Tammy | FERS Disability

Our Federal Employment Law Library

Empowering Federal Employees To Know and Exercise Their Rights

Blog Post Featured Image
| Read Time: 3 minutes

Will You Be Penalized for Retiring Early as a Federal Employee?

With the freedom retirement brings, many of us look for ways to retire earlier. Others retire early due to a change in circumstances. As a federal employee, early retirement may be available depending on your age and years of service. Contact the Federal Employment Law Firm of Aaron D. Wersing PLLC to discuss retiring early from federal service. Our firm focuses exclusively on issues related to federal employment, so you can rely on our experience to guide you as you consider or plan for early retirement. What Are Your Retirement Options? The Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) covers federal employees who started working for the government on or after January 1, 1987. Under FERS, you have several retirement options, including: Your eligibility depends on your years of service and whether you have met the minimum retirement age (MRA).  Minimum Retirement Age Your MRA depends on what year you were born:  When you retire at your MRA, you typically forfeit part of your benefits. Voluntary Retirement You can voluntarily retire when you meet the requirements of the table below: Minimum Age Minimum Years of Service 62 5 60 20 MRA 30 (without penalty) MRA 10 (with penalty) You can also voluntarily retire under special provisions for military personnel, emergency services, or air traffic controllers at any age with 25 years of service or age 50 with 20 years of service. Early Retirement You can receive early retirement if a significant percentage of your agency’s employees will be separated or have their pay reduced because your agency is undergoing a: Your agency head must also request the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issue a Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA). Federal agencies offer early retirement using VERA to reduce age and service requirements or VSIP to provide lump-sum separation incentives. You can qualify for early retirement at any age with 25 years of service or age 50 with 20 years of service. Otherwise, you typically qualify when you reach age 62. Disability Retirement You can qualify for disability retirement if: You can apply at any age, but if you are under 60, your benefits can stop if you medically recover or return to work. Deferred Retirement Former federal employees can qualify for deferred retirement if they: You can meet the service requirements if you arrive at your MRA and have ten years of service or turn 62 with five years of service. Phased Retirement Under phased retirement, you work part-time and receive partial benefits over several months to years. Phased retirement can be an effective option for many who want to space out the retirement process. Are There Penalties for Retiring Early? Depending on the type of retirement, your benefits may be reduced if you retire before age 62.  Specifically, if you take voluntary retirement at your MRA with ten years of service, your annuity is reduced by 5% each year you are under 62. If you take deferred retirement based on reaching your MRA and having ten years of service, your annuity is reduced by 5% for each year and 5/12 of 1 % for each month under age 62. Can You Avoid the Early Retirement Withdrawal Penalty? If you voluntarily retire early, you can postpone receiving benefits to reduce or avoid the penalty. If you postpone: The closer to age 62 you start receiving benefits, the smaller the penalty. Speak with a Federal Employment Attorney If you are a federal employee, early retirement can be a great option. Contact the Federal Employment Law Firm of Aaron D. Wersing PLLC today to discuss whether early retirement may work for you and help you start planning.

Read More
Blog Post Featured Image
| Read Time: 4 minutes

Differences Between FERS Deferred Retirement and FERS Postponed Retirement: Which Option Is Better For You?

For federal employees contemplating retirement, understanding the nuances between different retirement strategies is essential. Except for a few very senior employees, most federal workers fall under the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS). Compare FERS deferred and postponed retirement to choose the option that best fits your circumstances. In this article, we’ll clarify the difference between these two different retirement options and help you understand which one might be better for you.  However, if you need specific advice for your situation, then contact a competent FERS disability retirement attorney today.   Understanding Your Options: FERS Deferred or Postponed Retirement First, we need to explore what the terms “deferred retirement” and “postponed retirement” mean. Although these options fall under the FERS, they each operate under distinct circumstances and hold unique implications for retirees. Deferred retirement is typically for FERS employees who leave federal service before they reach the minimum retirement age (MRA). You can apply for deferred retirement if you have at least five years of creditable civilian service. However, bear in mind that you can’t withdraw your contributions to the retirement fund. If you do, you won’t be eligible for deferred retirement. On the other hand, postponed retirement is an option for FERS employees who have reached their MRA and have somewhere between 10 and 30 years of service. Postponed FERS retirement allows you to delay receiving retirement benefits to avoid the age reduction penalty.  What Are the Differences Between Deferred Retirement and Postponed Retirement? Besides the eligibility requirements and the retirement benefits that we just mentioned, there are several other differences between deferred retirement and postponed retirement.  1. Insurance Benefits One critical difference lies in health insurance and life insurance benefits. Under FERS deferred retirement, you are not eligible to continue receiving either Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) or Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) after you leave federal service. If you choose to postpone your retirement, you can reinstate your FEHB and FEGLI when you begin to receive your annuity. However, to receive these benefits, you need to show that you were enrolled in these programs at least five years before your separation. 2. Survivor Benefits Another key difference involves survivor benefits. If you die while receiving a deferred retirement annuity, no survivor annuity is payable. This is because you have to receive an immediate annuity that began within 30 days of your separation to be able to receive survivor benefits. By contrast, FERS postponed retirement can sometimes pay out survivor benefits to your loved ones if you pass away before receiving your annuity.  3. Thrift Savings Plan FERS deferred and postponed retirements also differ when it comes to the thrift savings plan (TSP). All employees under FERS benefit from the TSP. Furthermore, deferred retirees and postponed retirees can withdraw their TSP funds. However, if deferred retirees can withdraw their TSP funds after they separate, they will have to pay the IRS’s early withdrawal penalty if they are below the age of 59 and 6 months. However, postponed retirees do not have to pay the early withdrawal penalty because they are already at their MRA. 4. Cost of Living Adjustments Lastly, FERS deferred retirement does not offer cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) until the retiree reaches the age of 62. FERS retirees with postponed retirement receive COLAs immediately after annuity payments begin, even if under age 62. Is There a FERS Deferred Retirement Calculator I Can Use? Many people find it helpful to visualize their retirement options with a retirement calculator. While OPM offers a general formula for calculating your FERS retirement, they do not offer a calculator specifically for deferred retirement situations. Calculate your potential retirement sums by consulting a federal retirement attorney. Let Us Help You Determine Whether FERS Deferred Retirement or Postponed Retirement Is a Better Option For You! Call Today While this article provides a basic understanding of the interplay between different kinds of retirement, it’s only a foundation. The truth is that retirement decisions can be complex. In addition, the choices you make for your retirement will have tremendous effects on your life down the road. Consequently, it’s prudent to reach out to a knowledgeable federal attorney who can give you the advice you need.  Our team of adept attorneys at the Federal Employment Law Firm of Aaron D. Wersing, PLLC, is deeply knowledgeable about the nuanced legal factors intrinsic to FERS deferred and postponed retirement cases. In addition, we share an abiding passion for helping the dedicated civil servants who make our country’s government run effectively. Together, we can help you understand which retirement option is best for you in light of your circumstances. We’ll then take the steps necessary to put your plan into motion, including helping you complete your application for deferred or postponed retirement under FERS. If necessary, we’ll work with your agency to ensure that your legal rights are respected and that you receive the retirement benefits that you rightfully deserve.  Contact us today to set up your initial appointment by calling us at 866-612-5956. You can also visit our website online.

Read More
Blog Post Featured Image
| Read Time: 4 minutes

Minimum Retirement Age (MRA) for Federal Employees

The vast majority of federal employees look forward to enjoying the federal government’s generous retirement package. Yet there is no well-defined minimum retirement age for federal employees because there are several different kinds of early retirement. Thus, the minimum retirement age for federal employees hinges on the type of retirement. These forms of retirement depend, in turn, on things like the employee’s health status and years of federal service. The upside of this arrangement is that federal employees have significant flexibility when considering retirement options. However, there are downsides that you should consider as well.  We’ll unpack the various minimum retirement ages for federal employees in this article. We’ll also delve into what you can do to help minimize any negative consequences of early retirement. However, if you have more specific questions or want legal advice for your personal situation, give our firm a call today. What Is the Minimum Retirement Age for Federal Employees? Minimum retirement age varies based on the federal retirement system. Minimum Retirement Age in the Civil Service Retirement System  If you are an older employee who joined the federal service before 1987, you may be under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). Employees under CSRS can technically retire at any time. Retire under FERS at age 62 with 5 years of service, age 60 with 20 years, or at your Minimum Retirement Age (MRA) with 30 years. You can also retire at MRA with 10 years of service, but benefits will be reduced. There are some exceptions to this rule, however. We’ll explore those in a moment. Calculating Minimum Retirement Age Under the Federal Employee Retirement System If you began your federal career in or after 1987, you are under the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS). Calculating the retirement age depends on your year of birth. If you were born before 1948, then you can retire at 55. If you were born in 1970 or later, you can enjoy minimum retirement at 57. And if you were born between 1948 and 1970, your minimum retirement age will be between 55 and 2 months and 56 and 10 months. However, there’s an additional fact that bears mentioning. Under FERS, you may not receive your complete retirement annuity even after you reach your minimum retirement age. For instance, if you have fewer than 30 years of federal service when you reach your retirement age, the government will reduce your retirement benefits by 5% for every year that you are under 62. Retire at age 60 with 28 years of federal service and receive 90% of your government retirement annuity. Similarly, if you retire at age 55, you can expect to receive just 65% of your retirement benefits.  Year of Birth Minimum Retirement Age (MRA) Before 1948 55 1948 55 and 2 months 1949 55 and 4 months 1950 55 and 6 months 1951 55 and 8 months 1952 55 and 10 months 1952-1964 56 1965 56 and 2 months 1966 56 and 4 months 1967 56 and 6 months 1968 56 and 8 months 1969 56 and 10 months Minimum Retirement Age (MRA) 57 According to the U.S. CBP, Here is a chart for Minimum Retirement Age (MRA) Exploring Alternative Retirement Plans Under both FERS and CSRS, employees can use several pathways to retire before the minimum retirement age. Specifically, federal employees can retire early through one of three situations: If you want to learn more about these options, it’s best to contact a federal employment attorney. Is There a Mandatory Retirement Age for Federal Employees? Generally, no. Mandatory retirement ages exist only for federal law enforcement officers and firefighters. Regardless of whether they are under FERS or CSRS, both law enforcement officers and firefighters have to retire at age 57, assuming they have 20 years of service. That said, an agency head can choose to allow a law enforcement officer to serve until 60 if the agency head finds that the employee’s service benefits the public interest.  Ready to learn more about achieving early retirement? Reach out to us today and let’s explore your questions together! It can be overwhelming to figure out your best options for retirement. And your agency’s human resources department may not have the answers you need. If you want accurate legal answers rather than vague responses and bureaucratic red tape, contact an experienced federal employment attorney. With the right legal counsel, you can get a clear picture of your retirement options and prepare your next steps. Our team at the Federal Employment Law Firm of Aaron D. Wersing is 100% committed to serving federal employees and making their lives easier. Our goal is to make it as easy as possible for our clients to reach their retirement goals and enjoy life after the federal government.  We recognize many people think you need large amounts of cash on hand to even speak to an attorney. That couldn’t be further from the truth. We care about you and your story, set up your consultation today by calling us at 1-866-612-5956. You can also contact us online. 

Read More