Human Resources Division (HRD) - Benefits - Information on Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA) and Voluntary Separation Incentive Payments (VSIP)

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Voluntary Early Retirement Authority

The USDA is extending Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA) to employees in the following organizational units in the Grain Inspection Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA), who meet the eligibility requirements to apply for an early retirement, also referred to as “early out.”

• Office of the Administrator-Civil Rights Staff;
• Office of the Administrator-Information Technology Staff;
• Office of the Administrator-Management and Budget Services; and
• Packers and Stockyards Program

Employees in occupations for which the agency has direct-hire authority are excluded. In GIPSA, those positions are Information Technology Specialist (Security), GS-2210, grade 9 and above.

Voluntary Separation Incentive Payments (VSIP) will not be offered.

Letters will be provided through e-mail to employees who may be eligible to apply for VERA. The VERA application period will be November 13 through December 7, 2012. Employees approved for the VERA must separate from service by voluntary early retirement no later than December 31, 2012.

Information for GIPSA Employees

• Message from Larry Mitchell, GIPSA Administrator (PDF)
• VERA letter to GIPSA employees (PDF)
• How to Request a Retirement Calculation (DOC)
• GIPSA Application for Voluntary Early Retirement (VERA) (DOC)
• VERA Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
• Other Considerations for VERA (PDF)
  
  

VERA Eligibility Requirements

Employees who are interested in taking advantage of the VERA must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Covered by Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS),
• Are 50 years old and have more than 20 years of service or are any age with 25 years of service,
• Have been on the agency rolls at least 30 days prior to May 6, 2011,
• Are not serving under a time-limited appointment,
• Have not received a notice of  involuntarily separation for misconduct or unsatisfactory performance, and
• Retirement date must be on or before December 31, 2012.
  
  

Last Modified: November 8, 2012