The Air Force Materiel Command has announced the implementation of civilian voluntary early retirement and voluntary separation incentive pay programs in response to budget constraints.
"Complying with lower civilian funding levels requires adjusting the size of our civilian workforce by about 1 percent this next fiscal year," said the Air Force’s director of force management policy, Maj. Gen. Sharon K. G. Dunbar.
She said the Air Force was ready to approve up to 6,005 VSIP applications along with implementing VERA.
The Air Force put in place a 90-day hiring freeze in August and is hoping to restructure, transfer or eliminate positions as they become vacated. Other departments have announced similar measures of late. The Army, for example, announced plans in August to reduce its civilian workforce by 8,700 employees by next October.
"If we target too narrowly, the number of volunteers may fall short of what we’re seeking,” Dunbar noted, adding, “At the same time, an overly broad survey may cause angst among employees in positions that will not be affected.”
To be eligible for VERA, employees must be at least 50 years old with 20 years of creditable service, or have 25 years of creditable service at any age. VISP payments can be up to $25,000, before taxes.
