Federal Erroneous Retirement Coverage Corrections Act (FERCCA)
The Federal Erroneous Retirement Coverage Corrections Act (FERCCA) was enacted in September 2000 and designed to provide relief to federal civilian employees who were placed in the wrong federal retirement system for at least three years of service after December 31, 1986.
In some cases, FERCCA has provided federal employees and annuitants placed in the wrong federal retirement system with the opportunity to choose between the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and the offset provisions contained within the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS).
FERCCA can also provide (1) reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket expenses paid as a result of a coverage error (e.g., attorney fees, costs, etc.); (2) an ability to benefit from certain changes in the rules about how some federal service is credited towards retirement; and (3) make-up contributions to the federal employee’s Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) and receipt of lost earnings on those contributions, among other provisions.
It is very important for current or former federal employees facing FERCCA issues to seek legal advice from an attorney regarding their retirement issues and errors.