Former Employees

For Separating or Former Fellows

  • Employment Verifications: Contact your supervisor or Administrative Officer
  • Fellow HR Contact: OFMGAB_FPS@od.nih.gov

For Separating or Former Federal Employees


Obtaining Official Personnel Records

All separating/transferring employees:

Wage and Tax Statement (W-2)

Submit a request for a duplicate copy to the Leave, Payroll, and Workforce Support Branch located in Building 31, Room 3B435. 


You may also contact your former Payroll Liaison by selecting the Institute or Center in which you were employed.
eOPF Visit your eOPF prior to your separation date to save all your personnel history documents.
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 immediate 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 left NIH more than 3-4 months ago and are no longer a government employee:

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. For questions, contact the NIH File Room at 301-496-3361.

Retirement - FERS/CSRS

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

If you ever return to federal service, repayment of these contributions is required to receive credit in your retirement computation.


To initiate a refund, complete an application for a FERS refund (SF-3106) or application for a CSRS refund (SF-2802). 


If you submit the form within 30 days of separation, return it to the Benefits Office. After 30 days, forward it to OPM at the address on the form. Questions about submitted refund applications should be directed to OPM at (888) 767-6738.

Social Security and Medicare

  • 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. 

Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)

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.
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.

Unemployment Insurance

  • If you are not going to another job, you may be eligible for unemployment insurance from your local Public Employment Service Office. The SF-8 provides further instruction. 
     
  • Navigate to the NIH Unemployment Insurance page for additional information for your state.

Life Insurance (FEGLI)

  • 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).

Health Benefits (FEHB)

Health insurance coverage continues free of charge for 31 days after the last day of the pay period in which you separate. 

What to expect:

You can request information from OHR about converting your group health insurance to a private policy. Information is as follows:

1. 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. 

2. 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. Refer to the TCC pamphlet for additional information.  

3. 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.

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

  • 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 at www.fsafeds.gov or 1-877-372-3337.

Dental and Vision Insurance (FEDVIP)

  • 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 at www.benefeds.com or 877-888-3337 (toll free).

Federal Long-Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP)

  • 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 at: https://www.ltcfeds.com/epAssets/documents/BillingChangeForm.pdf or by calling FLTCP at 1-800-LTC-FEDS (1-800-582-3337).

Post-1956 Military Service

  • 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. Speak to your Benefits Contact.
     
  • 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.

Leave

  • Annual leave: You will receive a lump sum payment for any unused leave. 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.

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