Response to "Family and Friends" letter from Ventris C. Gibson, Deputy Ass't Sec. for Human Resources Management, Department of Veterans Affairs to Sen. Jesse Helms (NC). Original letter was from our "Friend" Mr. Von Hoene!
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
WASHINGTON DC 20420
AUGUST 16, 2001
Honorable Jesse Helms
United States Senate
P.O Box 2944
Hickory, NC 28603
Dear Senator Helms:
This is in response to your inquiry on behalf of Mr. ....Von Hoene concerning nurses' benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Based on Public Law 97-72, which was enacted on November 3, 1981 Title 38 nurses are not permitted to receive full-time retirement credit for their part-time work. A number of concerns have been expressed about the Title 38 annuity calculation for part-time service because it is not comparable to the annuity calculation applied to Title 5 employees ho have performed part-time service. The greatest difference is that the proration factor used in the Title 38 part-time annuity computations spans the employee's entire career. Under Title 5, the proration factor is determine by prorating of all part-time service performed after April 6, 1986, not throughout the employee's career. Both of these calculation provisions are required by law.
VA believes that there should be parity in the treatment of part-time service for Title 38 and Title 5 employees for retirement purposes. The Administration is seeking a comprehensive resolution to this issue. As you know, a number of legislative proposals have been introduced in Congress that address the subject of part-time annuity calculation.
I hope this information will be helpful to you in responding to Mr. Von Hoene. If you have any question regarding this matter, please contact Maxcine Sterling of my staff at (202) 273-9924.
Sincerely yours,
Robert J. Clayton for Ventris C. Gibson