Q. I’m a non-career SES (presidential appointee). How many years must I work in the federal government to be eligible for a FERS-FRAE pension and for the entire 5 percent federal contribution to my TSP if I am involuntarily separated?
A. Most FERS participants are vested in Agency Automatic (1 percent) Contributions after completing 3 years of service. FERS employees in congressional and certain noncareer positions become vested in Agency Automatic (1 percent) Contributions after 2 years of service. BRS members become vested in Service Automatic (1 percent) Contributions after 2 years of service. If you leave government service before satisfying the vesting requirement, the Agency/Service Automatic (1 percent) Contributions and their earnings will be forfeited to the TSP. If you die before separating from service, you are automatically considered vested in all the money in your account.
