Transitioning From Federal Service

Evaluate your benefits. Are you under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) or Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS)? Each is different in regards to the benefits they provide.

If you entered the government before 1983, then you fall under CSRS. It's similar to a pension, because it provides a set monthly income that you receive in retirement and is based on your years of federal service. If you entered the government after 1983 or are leaving before normal retirement age, more than likely you are under FERS. It's equivalent to a 401(k) in the private sector. With this, workers will want to contribute the maximum dollar amount to ensure financial stability after retirement, Palguta states. With FERS, if you decide to leave early, you can ask that your retirement contributions be returned to you in a lump sum payment or you can wait until you are of retirement age to apply for monthly retirement benefit payments, according to OPM.

If you are deciding to retire under either system, make sure you know when you'll be eligible for benefits. The goal,, Palguta explains, is to get a comprehensive picture of all your retirement income, Palguta says. And from there you can decide whether or not you can afford to retire.

Will You Ever Want to Come Back?

Sometimes those who leave the federal government for another industry or retire will want to return. Pursuing other opportunities does not always work out, says Palguta. "I am amazed at how many people go into retirement to live and relax in Florida or leave to take contractor jobs, and they realize it's not what they expected." It's for this reason, that you should leave your job on positive terms, he advises, so that the door will always be open if you want to return.

Before leaving your current position, check to see if you have a career or career-conditional appointment. If you do, then you have what is called reinstatement eligibility. This option allows a worker to re-enter the federal competitive service workforce without competing with the public in a civil service examination, according to OPM.

Keep in mind that even after conducting a job search and ensuring reinstatement eligibility, it doesn't guarantee a job offer, Palguta adds. It is at the hiring agency's discretion to determine the sources of applicants they will consider. That's why keeping your contacts within the federal government is vital. Should you to come back to your old agency or go to another one, they may be able to help get your foot back in the door.