Benefits and Pay Information
HHS Reduction in Force (RIF) Information
If you are an FDA employee who received a Reduction in Force (RIF) notice and you are at least 50 years old with 20 years of service, you may qualify for a Discontinued Service Retirement.
Due to a high number of inquiries regarding benefits and retirements and to ensure immediate attention, the ERIC Help Desk (ERIC) will facilitate the intake of these inquiries.
Please email ERIC@fda.hhs.gov or 301-827-3742, press option #3, then option #2 to submit your inquiry.
Your assigned Benefits Specialists will be in touch as needed to ensure ample processing of your retirement package. When emailing, be sure to place the following information in the subject to ensure prompt assistance: DSR Inquiry – Your Full Name.
HHS Reduction in Force (RIF) Information
For more specific information and FAQs on the Department’s Reduction in Force plan, please see HHS Workforce Optimization Initiative | HHS.gov.
Key Deadlines
Important Dates (Based on 7/14/2025 separation date)
- 07/14/2025 - RIF Effective Date (Separation).
- 07/15/2025 - Research Benefits & Career Options - Investigate FEHB TCC, FEGLI conversion, TSP, Retirement (DSR/Deferred).
- 07/15/2025 - Apply for Unemployment - File claim with your state agency ASAP.
- 07/26/2025 – FEDVIP coverage ends.
- 08/13/2025 - MSPB Appeal Deadline - Generally 30 days from effective date to file appeal.
- 08/26/2025 – Free extended FEHB coverage ends.
- 09/26/2025 - FEHB Temporary Continuation of Coverage Election Deadline.
- 09/26/2025 - Marketplace SEP Deadline.
Benefits Deadlines (Deadlines are generally from date of separation)
- FEGLI Conversion: 31 Days
- FEHB TCC Election: 60 Days
- Spouse FEHB / Marketplace: 60 Days
- FLTCIP Portability: Automatic
- HCFSA & LEX HCFSA: Contributions end immediately. Can request reimbursement for expenses incurred through termination date.
- Dependent Care FSA: May be reimbursed until end of the benefit period or the account is exhausted.
Financial Deadlines
- Final Paycheck: Employees separated effective July 14, 2025, will receive their last paycheck on August 1, 2025.
- Lump Sum Leave: Employees with unused annual leave as of July 14, 2025, will receive a lump sum payment no later than August 15, 2025.
- Severance Pay: Begins soon after separation, paid bi-weekly (if eligible).
- Unemployment: Apply first week after separation (State rules vary).
Severance Pay Eligibility
To be eligible for severance pay due to a RIF, you generally must:
- Be serving in a permanent appointment (career or career-conditional).
- Have completed at least 12 months of continuous service.
- Be involuntarily separated (RIF qualifies).
- Not be separating for misconduct or delinquency.
- Not be eligible for an immediate retirement annuity (including DSR).
- Not have declined a "reasonable offer" for another federal position.
- Crucial Distinction: Retirement vs. Severance
Note: If you meet the age and service requirements for any type of immediate retirement (Voluntary, Early Voluntary (VERA), or Discontinued Service (DSR)) at the time of your RIF separation, you are NOT eligible for severance pay. You must choose the retirement option.
Calculating Severance Pay
Your total severance pay entitlement is based on your years of creditable service and your age at separation. The total severance pay amount cannot exceed 52 weeks (one year) of your basic pay (regular salary rate plus locality pay or special rate supplements) at the time of separation.
Basic Severance Calculation:
- First 10 Years of Service: 1 week of basic pay for each year.
- Years of Service Over 10: 2 weeks of basic pay for each year.
Age Adjustment Factor:
- If you are over 40 years old at separation, your basic severance pay amount is increased:
- Add 10% to the basic amount for each full year you are over age 40.
For information on how to calculate the approximate amount of severance pay for employees with non-variable work schedules, please see OPM’s Severance Pay Estimation Worksheet.
How Payments are Made
- Severance pay is issued in regular, bi-weekly installments.
- Each payment is equal to your basic pay for a pay period.
- Payments continue until the total calculated severance amount is paid out, until 52 weeks of payments have been made, if you are reemployed by the Federal Government or employed by the DC government, or you begin receiving an immediate retirement annuity (including DSR or disability retirement), whichever comes first.
Note: If payments stop due to reemployment, you may be required to repay any amount received that covers the period after your reemployment date.
Note: Accepting non-federal employment will not stop your federal severance payments.
Tax Implications
Severance pay is considered taxable income.
- Subject to Federal Income Tax withholding.
- Subject to Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%) taxes.
- Subject to State and Local income taxes (if applicable).
- Reported on Form W-2 by your agency.
- Cannot be rolled over into retirement accounts like TSP or an IRA.
Sources
HHS Reemployment Priority List (RPL)
- Purpose: Priority reemployment for competitive service employees separated by RIF
- Eligibility: Career/career-conditional employees with "fully successful" performance rating who haven't declined equivalent RIF offers
- Duration: 2 years from RIF separation (ends early if placed, decline offers, or other specified conditions)
HHS Priority Reemployment List (PRL)
- Purpose: Priority reemployment for excepted service employees separated by RIF
- Eligibility: Excepted service employees with appointments without time limit
- Duration: 2 years from RIF separation (ends early if placed, decline offers, or request removal)
Registration forms and requirements for both programs can be found here: HHS Workforce Optimization Initiative | HHS.gov.
- To Register: Complete appropriate form and email (with RIF letter) to FDA-ARRP@fda.hhs.gov.
When separating, all FDA employees have an obligation to return Government issued property in their possession, including accountable property (laptops, tablets, phones, MiFis, IronKeys, etc.), non-accountable Government property (monitors, keyboards, chairs, etc.), and FDA Personal Identification Verification (PIV) cards/badges, FDA Credentials, and FDA Passports.
Please see instructions below. For more detailed information, please visit Options for Returning Government Property July 16 - August 15, 2025.
Personal Item Retrieval
- Contact your supervisor or ERIC (301-827-3742 or 866-807-3742) to request an escort. Provide your name, contact information, building location, and Center/Office/Program.
- Government Property & PIV Card Returns.
Within 50 miles of White Oak Campus or 5630 Fishers Lane:
- Return items at White Oak Building 62 loading dock or 5630 Fishers Lane lower-level FDA entrance.
- July 16- August 15, weekdays, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
- No appointment needed.
Within 50 miles of Field Location:
- Call ERIC (301-827-3742 or 866-807-3742) for available return dates/times.
More than 50 miles from any FDA location:
- Call ERIC for mailing label and shipping instructions.
- Deface PIV cards (hole-punch) before mailing.
FDA Passport Returns
- Email FDAPassportOffices@fda.hhs.gov to schedule White Oak appointment or request mailing instructions.
- Employment Verifications: Contact your supervisor.
Obtaining Official Personnel Records
All separating/transferring employees:
| EOPF | Contact the National Archives Records Administration Civilian Personnel Records Center. Further information can be located on NPRC’s website. Please note: OPFs are retired to the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) within 120 days after separation from federal employment. If more than 120 days has lapsed since separation, you may obtain copies of most civilian and personnel records on file at the NPRC, including copies of the Standard Form 50 (SF-50) (Personnel Action) via written request by mail or fax to (618) 496-4903 or (618) 496-4904: National Personnel Records Center, Annex Federal law [5 USC 552a(b)] requires that all requests for records and information be submitted in writing. Each request must be hand signed (in cursive) and dated (within the last year). Please identify the documents or information needed and explain the purpose of your request. Certain basic information is needed to locate civilian personnel records and to respond to your request, including:
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| MYPAY | Obtain your last Leave and Earnings Statement (LES), obtain your W-2, and review your lump sum annual leave payment from myPay. You will retain access to myPay for up to one year after you separate. Once you are separated, your PIV card will no longer be a login option and you will use a username and password. |
| ADDRESS CHANGES | If your address is changing at the time of your separation from federal service, you should immediately initiate an address change in myPay. If you do not initiate an address change, your final W2 will be sent to the address on file at the time you separated from federal service. |
Employees who transferred to another agency:
- Your records transfer with you. Contact your new agency.
- Record of Leave (SF-1150) will be provided to the gaining agency.
While covered under FERS or CSRS, you paid contributions towards the applicable retirement system.
You have options regarding your retirement contributions:
| IF YOU: | THEN: |
|---|---|
| HAVE LESS THAN FIVE YEARS OF CREDITABLE CIVILIAN SERVICE | If you plan to return to federal employment in the future, you should leave your money in the retirement fund. |
| HAVE FIVE OR MORE YEARS OF CREDITABLE CIVILIAN SERVICE | You are eligible for a deferred annuity. This requires leaving your money in the retirement fund and applying for a FERS deferred annuity or CSRS deferred annuity once you meet the age and service requirements. If you do not file a beneficiary form (SF-3102) and die before the commencing date of your annuity, benefits will be paid in the normal order of precedence. |
| WISH TO TAKE A REFUND OF YOUR RETIREMENT CONTRIBUTIONS | To initiate a refund, complete an application for a FERS refund (SF-3106) or application for a CSRS refund (SF-2802) and forward it to OPM at the address on the form. Questions about submitted refund applications should be directed to OPM at (888) 767-6738. Please note, that if you ever return to federal service, repayment of your FERS contributions is required to receive credit in your retirement computation. |
- If you paid into Social Security and Medicare, you earned credits in the same manner as the private industry. These credits will be added to any past or future credits earned to establish benefits.
- Contact the Social Security Administration for information.
| VESTING | CSRS/FERS employees: you are fully vested in your own contributions and any earnings on these contributions. FERS only employees: you are also vested in any matching government contributions. If you have at least 3 years of civilian federal service, you are also vested in the automatic 1% government contributions, plus earnings. |
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| WITHDRAWAL OPTIONS | You have several withdrawal options. Refer to the TSP website for details. Before electing an option, read about important tax information. |
| BENEFICIARY FORM | If you do not submit a designation of beneficiary in your TSP account, your benefits will be paid in the normal order of precedence. |
| OUTSTANDING TSP LOAN(S) | Pay it off in full or consider it a taxable distribution in the year you separate. |
- If you are not going to another job, you may be eligible for unemployment insurance from your local Public Employment Service Office. Please complete the SF-8. The document provides further instruction.
Though you are a federal employee, your unemployment insurance (UI) is managed by the State of your official duty station. If you are a remote employee, your UI will be determined by your locality area. Laws and policies vary across states, so if you have any questions regarding your UI, reach out to your respective State UI Office. https://oui.doleta.gov/unemploy/agencies.asp/Contacts-for-State-UI-Tax-Information-and-Assistance-Employment-
- Life insurance coverage continues free of charge for 31 calendar days after your employment ends. During the 31-day period you may convert your coverage to an individual policy.
What to expect: If you wish to convert your policy, contact the Benefits Office to request information on converting to an individual policy (SF-2819) and an agency certification of your insurance status (SF-2821).
- Please email ERIC@fda.hhs.gov or 301-827-3742, press option #3, then option #2 to submit your inquiry.
Health insurance coverage continues free of charge for 31 days after the last day of the pay period in which you separate (i.e. If your date of separation is September 30, 2025, this date falls in pay period 21 and the last day in pay period 21 is October 4, 2025. This means the last day of free coverage ends on November 4, 2025.).
What to expect: You can request information from OHR about converting your group health insurance to a private policy. Information is as follows:
- Notice of Change in Health Benefits Enrollment (SF 2810): This explains your option and how to convert your group health insurance policy to an individual policy with your current carrier.
- Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC): you are eligible for TCC for up to 18 months after separation. Select any plan in the Federal program in which you are eligible to enroll. If elected, the 18-month time period begins immediately after separation and coverage is effective on the day after the 31-day extension of coverage ends. If you change plans upon election of TCC, enrollment in the previous plan will continue through the 31-day extension of coverage. Enrollment in the new plan or option will become effective the day after the 31-day extension of coverage and will continue for up to 17 months. After TCC coverage ends, you are eligible for another 31-day extension of coverage at no cost, and you may convert to a non-group contract offered by your health benefits plan. Refer to the TCC pamphlet for additional information.
- To enroll, complete a health benefits election form (SF-2809) and return it to the Benefits Office within 60 calendar days of separation. Write "TCC" on the top.
- Please email ERIC@fda.hhs.gov or 301-827-3742, press option #3, then option #2 to submit your inquiry.
- Health Care and Limited Expense Health Care: Contributions terminate on the date of separation. Eligible expenses incurred before that date are entitled for reimbursement. Unused funds will be forfeited.
- Dependent Care: Contributions terminate, but you may continue to be reimbursed for expenses until the end of the benefit period or until your account balance is exhausted; whichever is sooner.
For questions about your FSA account, contact FSAFEDS or 1-877-372-3337.
- Enrollment in a dental or vision plan will terminate at the end of the pay period in which you separate. If you have any questions about your coverage under this program, contact BENEFEDS or 877-888-3337 (toll free).
- If you or a family member is enrolled and premiums were paid by payroll deduction, you must submit a Billing Change Form to Long Term Care Partners (FLTCP) as soon as possible.
- The Billing Change Form is available online or by calling FLTCP at 1-800-LTC-FEDS (1-800-582-3337).
- Planning to apply for a deferred retirement and have post-1956 military service? You must make a deposit to receive credit for the service. This must be done before your employment ends. Please contact the Benefits Office by email at ERIC@fda.hhs.gov or 301-827-3742, press option #3, then option #2 to submit your inquiry.
- If you are in the process of making a deposit for active-duty military service, what you have paid is considered a partial deposit for the military service and to receive credit for the military service, it must be completed while employed by another federal agency.
- Upon reemployment or transfer to another federal agency, provide them with a copy of the application package and payment record. You will need to establish a payment schedule with your new agency to complete your military deposit.
- If you have paid a military deposit in full, you should have already received a copy of the paid in full documentation.
- Annual leave: You will receive a lump sum payment for any unused leave, including "use-or-lose" balances. It will follow the same electronic deposit as your paycheck.
- Sick leave: If you return to the Federal Government, any accrued sick leave will be restored to your account.