5 C.F.R. Subpart L—Discretionary Actions by OPM
Title 5 - Administrative Personnel
(a) The FERCCA allows OPM, in its sole discretion, to reimburse you for necessary and reasonable expenses you actually incurred while pursuing a legal or administrative remedy of your qualifying retirement coverage error. (b) Necessary and reasonable expenses include actual amounts paid for attorney fees, court costs, expert witness fees, and other litigation expenses. (c) You may not receive reimbursement under this section if you received a monetary award that compensated you for your litigation expenses. (d) You must support your request for reimbursement with evidence that supports your claim. (e) In determining what is a necessary and reasonable expense, OPM will consider: (1) The type and amount of the expense; (2) The circumstances that gave rise to the expense; and (3) Whether the expense is directly related to litigation concerning a retirement coverage error. (a) The FERCCA allows OPM, in its sole discretion, to waive repayment of all or part of a settlement payment or court-ordered payment if you can demonstrate that CSRS Offset coverage does not fully compensate you for your losses. (b) Your request for waiver must state why you believe waiver of repayment is appropriate and include any evidence that supports your request. (a) The FERCCA allows OPM, in its sole discretion, to compensate you for a monetary loss that is a direct and proximate result of your retirement coverage error. (b) Monetary losses include payments of additional Social Security taxes, payment of additional retirement deductions, and other out-of-pocket expenses that you incurred because of a retirement coverage error. (c) You must substantiate your claim for losses with any evidence that supports your request. (d) OPM cannot pay you for: (1) Claimed losses related to forgone contributions and earnings under the TSP, other than lost earnings on make-up contributions to the TSP as provided in subpart J of this part; and (2) Claimed losses related to any other investment opportunities. (a) OPM will base its decision on only the written record, including all of your submissions and other documentation in OPM's possession. (b) At OPM's discretion, OPM may request your employer to provide an administrative report. The report may include: (1) A description of the retirement coverage error; (2) A statement as to whether a settlement or other court-ordered award was made; (3) The employer's recommendation for resolution of the claim; and (4) Any other information your employer believes OPM should consider. (c) The burden of proof that the criteria for approving a reimbursement of expenses is on you. The Associate Director for Retirement and Insurance and his or her delegatees have the authority to perform the Director's actions, as set out in this subpart (see section 2208 of the FERCCA). (a) No specific form is required. Your request must be in writing and contain the following information: (1) It must describe the basis for the claim and state the dollar amount you seek to receive; (2) It must include your name, address, and telephone number; (3) It must include the name, address, and telephone number of your current or last employer; (4) It must be signed by you; and (5) It must include any information you believe OPM should consider, such as cancelled checks or other evidence of amounts you paid. (b) Send your claim to: Office of Personnel Management, Retirement and Insurance Service, ATTN: FC Section, Washington, DC 20415–3200
Title 5: Administrative Personnel
PART 839—CORRECTION OF RETIREMENT COVERAGE ERRORS UNDER THE FEDERAL ERRONEOUS RETIREMENT COVERAGE CORRECTIONS ACT
Subpart L—Discretionary Actions by OPM
§ 839.1201 If I took legal action against my employer because of a qualifying retirement coverage error, can OPM reimburse me for expenses related to my legal actions?
§ 839.1202 Can OPM waive repayment of a monetary award I received as resolution of the harm caused me by a qualifying retirement coverage error?
§ 839.1203 Can OPM compensate me for my losses if I did not take any legal action against my employer, but did incur some expenses because of a qualifying retirement coverage error?
§ 839.1204 On what basis will OPM review claims under this subpart?
§ 839.1205 Does the Director of OPM review the claims?
§ 839.1206 How do I submit a claim under this subpart?
