May 31st, 2023

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has released a concise guide for federal employees considering retirement. The three-page OPM Retirement Guide: A Reference for Voluntary Retirement summarizes the major actions employees need to take before retiring, the timeline for agency processing, understanding benefits choices, and more.

Please note that OPM’s guidance should be taken as a generalized guidance and educators should work with DoDEA and CHRA on specific or individual retirement-based questions. See the end of this update for where to send retirement questions to DoDEA.

With this in mind, FEA has also compiled generalized suggestions more relevant to DoDEA schools. Retiring employees should consider the FEA Retirement Packets for both Overseas and Stateside employees, which include tips for smooth retirement. For example, before retiring, Overseas educators should file their Goodbye Grievance, which helps protect you against false debt claims the government may try to collect from you after you retire or leave the bargaining unit. Again, employees should work with DoDEA and CHRA on specific or individual retirement-based questions. FEA cannot give legal advice on retirement or answer retirement questions as our staff are not experts in this area.

DoDEA has a department to contact with Retirement questions:

“There is a dedicated email for DoDEA employees – usarmy.riley.chra-hqs.mbx.abcc-dodea-inquiries@mail.mil. ABC-C remains committed to answering email inquiries within 48 hours. Benefits Specialists are available Monday through Thursday, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT, to answer any questions you may have. The ABC-C toll free line, (877) 276-9287, will remain operational at this time, with long phone hold times due to mission essential staff and reduced hours. Customers are encouraged to use the GRB Platform for transactions, as well as email for inquiries. Our ABC-C partners are available to answer concerns related to benefits and retirement.”