House Approves Bill That Includes FERS Sick Leave Credit

 H.R. 2990 (Disabled Military Retiree Relief Act of 2009) would ‘provide that federal employees receive credit for unused sick leave when determining annuity if they have not been paid for those days.  The bill also enables federal employees to deposit refunds of retirement deductions with interest under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).  Additionally, certain District of Columbia employees who transfer to federal employment would be eligible for federal retirement credit.”

Other portions of the bill includes:

This legislation seeks to expand the number of military “Chapter 61” retirees-a reference to the section of the U.S. Code covering the military disability retirement plan-that would be allowed to receive their full military retired pay plus veterans’ disability compensation. This is a change from current law in which retirement pay is typically reduced dollar-for-dollar by any amount received in disability compensation

Retired Pay Benefits:  H.R. 2990 would adjust retired military pay and grade for reserve members who are recalled to active status and who complete at least two years of service in active status.  These adjustments would be retroactive to January 1, 2008.

The bill would also expand for nine months (January through September 2010) the eligibility for concurrent receipt of both military retired pay and veterans’ disability compensation for all Chapter 61 disability retirees, regardless of their disability rating or years of service.

Compensation and Benefits for Service Members:  H.R. 2990 would extend for one year certain bonus and special pay authorities for reserve forces, health care professionals serving in the Selected Reserve, as well as nuclear officers.  Additionally, the bill would extend for one year certain authorities for special pay, incentive pay and bonuses for military personnel.  This includes hazardous duty pay, reenlistment bonuses, referral bonuses, skill incentive pay, and retention incentives for service members assigned to high priority units.