Why It's Important
Participation in a pension plan while employed by the federal government can affect your Social Security benefits. In fact, you may not be eligible for Social Security benefits at all.
CSRS or FERS
If you have ever worked for the federal government, you know there can be confusion about CSRS, FERS, and something called “CSRS offset.”
CSRS Offset
If you are among a small group of people considered “CSRS offset,” your pension is made up of both Social Security and your CSRS annuity.