Ask the agency where you want to work about the effect of reemployment on the buyout you received. Image: Paul Cowan/Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffFederal employees who separate for retirement or other reasons with a buyout payment face restrictions if they want to return to work for the government within five years. Generally, they must repay the entire payment, including any taxes withheld. This includes employment with any part of the federal government including the U.S. Postal Service.
If you retire with a buyout payment, before returning to work with any part of the federal government ask the agency where you want to work about the effect of reemployment on the payment you received.
Waivers of the obligation to repay the buyout may be granted in limited circumstances, if:
the individual involved possesses unique abilities and is the only qualified applicant available for the position; or
in case of an emergency involving a direct threat to life or property, the individual has skills directly related to resolving the emergency and will serve on a temporary basis only so long as that individual’s services are made necessary by the emergency.
If the proposed reemployment is with an entity in the legislative branch, the head of the entity or the appointing official may waive the repayment if the individual involved possesses unique abilities and is the only qualified applicant available for the position.
If the proposed reemployment is with the judicial branch, the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts may waive the repayment if the individual involved possesses unique abilities and is the only qualified applicant available for the position.
The repayment waiver provisions do not extend to a repayment obligation resulting from employment under a personal services contract or other direct contract, which covers most consulting-type arrangements.
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See also,
Legal: How to Challenge a Federal Reduction in Force (RIF) in 2025
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