Medical
Recently we've had a few issues with employees not scheduling their annual or bi-annual medical in a timely manner to where they've been temporarily disqualified. Joni Foushee (you know Joni that works on our schedules by the OM desk) will now be taking over the scheduling of all medicals. Now what does that mean?
You don't have to worry about scheduling your medical. However you still have the "old school" option to schedule your medical, just coordinate with either your FLM or Joni (which is a better idea). Another option is to inform Joni when you would like your medical to be schedule for and who.
Retirement info
Here's an email from retired D area controller Renee Soerink.
I retired on August 31, 2015. I received my first full pension April 1, 2016. I went into “Interim Pay Status” on September 14, 2015. The pay is about 40% of actual retirement annuity. Not including social security supplement. They withheld estimated federal tax but no health insurance premium. I received my leave balance cash out , mid October 2015. I received a payment on March 15, 2016. This was a lump payment of social security supplement from September 1, 2015-February 29, 2016…minus additional federal taxes and all unpaid healthcare premium. April 1 wasfirst normal retirement pay.
I tried email and phone contact with OPM at least 5 times, no success. Their phone line is ALWAYS busy. Email routes you to standard response prompt. The 2 or 3 times I did receive an email, I was told my case was in another department. Email response is at least 30 business days or longer. I am not sure if NATCA is aware of the inefficient service (lack of service) of OPM.
I hope this is helpful information for future retirees.