6 Oct 14 - Retirement Seminars

Question:  I just attended the Retirement Seminar (29-30 Sep) and folks should not be told to wait until they are within their 5 year window because by then it will be too late.  Information is needed now to the workforce.  The priority list needs to change.  We are told that unless you are a Priority 1 (Less than 5 years) you cannot attend the seminar.  There were over 14 empty seats in the class.

Answer:  All employees are eligible for participation in the Pre-Retirement Planning Seminars.  The order of priority for selection is: 

PRIORITY 1:  Employees who are eligible and anticipate retiring during the next 2 years (FY 15/16).
PRIORITY 2:  Employees who are eligible and anticipate retiring during the next 5 years (FY 17/20).
PRIORITY 3:  Other employees who are CSRS or FERS enrollees (no time limit).

The Retirement Seminars given during the week of 29 Sep - 3 Oct consisted of 50 quotas purchased.  A total of 21 students were in the first class and 29 students were in the second class so all 50 quotas were filled.  The fact that there were empty seats in the classroom has no bearing on how many students were selected to attend.  The grouping of students by class (and therefore the number of students in the class) is dependent on which retirement system applies to the students.  Included in the two classes were Priority 1, Priority 2, and Priority 3 applicants.  In the early years of offering these classes, there were so many priority 1 and 2 students that it was unlikely priority 3 students would be selected.  Progress has been made so that classes contain fewer Priority 1, more Priority 2, and some Priority 3 students.  When the courses are announced, the priorities for attendees (as show above) are included and required for all nominees.  The criteria stated in the question (Q20) is not used for selection of attendees.