FERS Survivor Annuity

[@annmariefleet350]

I always like to hear your information. Unfortunately, we made several mistakes when we retired in 2009. That was at the that local HR offices closed and we were forced to use Shared Services. It was not the ideal way to go.😢

[@FederalRetirementPlanning]

I let disappoints me to hear stories like this Ann Marie. Hope u are doing well now and enjoying retirement!

[@lgambis]

Do you have any videos related to health insurance coverage, esp if you retire early? Thanks--learning so much from your videos. Emailed you as well for a potential consult.

[@FederalRetirementPlanning]

I'm not sure if I do have any on FEHB, maybe soon!

[@pauljoseph2400]

What happens if a survivor passes, and the retiree remarries ? Is the new spouse eligible for the survivor benefit ? That would assume that you didn't contact OPM to have the survivor benefit rescinded.

[@bradbobb3835]

Great question. I would assume that u could add a new spouse in that case. The retiree would have typically contacted OPM and changed the annuity back to 100%, and in that case I’m confident the retiree could contact OPM and add the spouse but would have to pay a lump sum equal to the amount that the retiree would have paid while getting 100% of the FERS Annuity

[@cyrusasasy1]

What happens if you get a divorce while you’re married. If you choose the full survivorship option and a portion goes to your ex spouse does the pension disappear when the FERS employee passes away?

[@FederalRetirementPlanning]

Interesting question. My understanding is that as long as you continue to pay for the survivor annuity your ex could receive the benefit at your passing. If u aren’t obligated to keep it by the court then I believe you could contact OPM and go back to 100% annuity

[@DebraSardelich]

What if your spouse dies first. Do you still have to pay for the Benifits?

[@FederalRetirementPlanning]

no, you can contact OPM after a spouse's death to move you back to a full annuity

[@thedude3878]

Can a dependt adult? IE my son get survivor benefits. Hes severely disabled

[@FederalRetirementPlanning]

It's possible but your FERS annuity would be reduced significantly, something like 25-40%

[@dennaclark7878]

Do you pay federal income tax on the survivor annuity benefit?

[@FederalRetirementPlanning]

Sure do

[@ablagos]

How old does my spouse have to be to draw the survivor benefit? We have a large age difference. Also, if my spouse remarries, does the survivor annuity end?

[@FederalRetirementPlanning]

The age of the spouse doesn’t matter. No restrictions for remarriage

[@eileen6139]

Can the formal spouse get the Survivor Annuity? Or it’s only available to spouse?

[@FederalRetirementPlanning]

Do u mean former? If so, that is something that would have to be done through a court order

[@StumpRider719]

Question at 50%: Will the spouse get 50% of the COLA benefit?

[@bradbobb3835]

No, the spouse would get a full COLA regardless of if it is a full or partial survivor. If the COLA is 2%, it’s just 2% of a smaller amount.

[@Dan-id9xf]

What if you don't need FEHB (have Tricare) but you want to continue vision and dental? Any relevance regarding not taking the survivor benny?

[@FederalRetirementPlanning]

No. Occasionally a spouse will have access to Tricare or state govt healthcare and not need the survivor for insurance purposes.

[@josephinecurtis8144]

What happens if you forgot to pay taxes on your pension each year?

[@FederalRetirementPlanning]

🤷🏻‍♂️ have ask the IRS about that one

[@josephinecurtis8144]

No, what if we decide to file this year do we need to pay the rest of the year that we did not pay?

[@FederalRetirementPlanning]

@@josephinecurtis8144 you’ll have to check with an accountant. If your income was low enough u may not owe any taxes.

[@josephinecurtis8144]

@@FederalRetirementPlanning thank you very much for your insight, appreciates you.