My understanding from OPM's and DFAS's websites states that Combat-Related retirees with "A service-connected disability either incurred in combat with an enemy of the United States or caused by an instrumentality of war and incurred in the line of duty during a period of war" are exempt from having to waive their military retirement income when initiating a Military Service Buy Back into FERS.
This seems to mean that you can then keep VA, any leftover retirement income from DFAS, any CRSC awarded, AND Buy Back your time into FERS with essentially zero penalty. Reading some previous forum threads on this topic seem to say otherwise though, as there are some folks have stated that you would need to still waive your income regardless. Seems to me that all of the regulations back up my interpretation though, thoughts? If I am correct, there is no downside to a Buy Back if you are a combat-related retiree.
Lastly, for combat-related retirees, how would the Major Richard Star Act if passed affect all of this? Would we then get to keep ALL of our retirement income without offset anymore AND get to keep our FERS Buy Back time?
Thank you.
This seems to mean that you can then keep VA, any leftover retirement income from DFAS, any CRSC awarded, AND Buy Back your time into FERS with essentially zero penalty. Reading some previous forum threads on this topic seem to say otherwise though, as there are some folks have stated that you would need to still waive your income regardless. Seems to me that all of the regulations back up my interpretation though, thoughts? If I am correct, there is no downside to a Buy Back if you are a combat-related retiree.
Lastly, for combat-related retirees, how would the Major Richard Star Act if passed affect all of this? Would we then get to keep ALL of our retirement income without offset anymore AND get to keep our FERS Buy Back time?
Thank you.