Misconceptions about Early Outs Remain

The fact that DoD will have early out authority in fiscal 2003 does not necessarily mean that it will broadly make offers to employees who meet the age and service criteria, as many employees mistakenly believe. DoD has had early-out authority for many years as it has downsized, and always has applied specific criteria for making offers. Numerous other agencies also have had early-out authority in the past and some also will get that authority in fiscal 2003. But in those cases, too, management decides who will get the offer and under what circumstances; they do not create windows for all comers who are interested in retiring early.