Pay and Leave Benefits Flashcards
6 cards from real Civil Service FAQ practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Pay and Leave Benefits flashcards as text
What is the 'biweekly earnings limitation' applicable to most federal employees receiving premium pay?
Answer: Total earnings including premium pay cannot exceed the GS-15, step 10 rate on a biweekly basis
Most federal employees subject to premium pay are limited to biweekly earnings (basic pay plus premium pay) not exceeding the biweekly rate of pay for GS-15, step 10.
How does the federal Flexible Spending Account (FSAFEDS) program help employees reduce their tax burden?
Answer: It allows employees to set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible health care or dependent care expenses
FSAFEDS allows employees to contribute pre-tax dollars to a Health Care FSA, Limited Expense FSA, or Dependent Care FSA. Contributions reduce taxable income, lowering federal income tax, Social Security tax, and Medicare tax owed on those dollars.
What is 'creditable service' in the context of federal retirement calculations under FERS?
Answer: Periods of federal employment and certain other service that count toward retirement eligibility and annuity computation
Creditable service under FERS includes periods of civilian federal employment in covered positions, certain military service (if a deposit is paid), and other specific periods authorized by statute that count toward retirement eligibility and annuity computation.
Under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), what is the annuity formula for most employees retiring at the minimum retirement age with at least 30 years of service?
Answer: 1% × years of service × high-3 average salary
Most FERS employees retiring with at least 30 years of service at minimum retirement age receive a basic annuity equal to 1% of their high-3 average salary multiplied by their years of creditable service. (Employees aged 62+ with 20+ years use a 1.1% multiplier.)
What is 'compensatory time off for travel' for federal employees?
Answer: Time off earned on an hour-for-hour basis for time spent in a travel status that is not otherwise compensable
Compensatory time off for travel (5 U.S.C. § 5550b) is earned at an hour-for-hour rate for time spent in a travel status outside regular work hours that is not otherwise compensable as overtime or premium pay.
Which type of federal leave is available specifically for employees who have used all of their available leave and face a personal medical emergency?
Answer: Both B and C are valid options
Both the Leave Transfer Program (peer-to-peer donations of annual leave) and the Voluntary Leave Bank Program (centralized pool of donated leave) are available for federal employees who have exhausted all paid leave due to a personal medical emergency.