Case Summary
**Case Summary: Head v. Office of Personnel Management (OPM)**
**Docket Number:** 2600050
**Court:** Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB)
**Date:** [Insert Date of Decision]
**Background:**
The case of Head v. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) involves an appeal filed by the petitioner, Head, against a decision made by the OPM regarding his retirement benefits. The appeal was brought before the MSPB for review after the petitioner contested OPM's determination concerning the calculation and eligibility of his federal retirement annuity.
**Facts:**
- The petitioner served in a federal position and applied for retirement benefits upon reaching retirement age.
- Upon reviewing Head's service records, OPM calculated his retirement benefits based on specific criteria outlined in federal regulations.
- Head asserted that OPM's calculation was inaccurate and did not reflect the full length of his service or other critical factors that should have been included in the computation of his annuity.
- The main contention revolved around the interpretation of tenure, service time, and the impact of certain employment periods on the retirement benefit calculation.
**Legal Issues:**
- Whether OPM accurately calculated the petitioner’s retirement annuity based on federal regulations.
- The interpretation of service time and eligibility as per the guidelines set forth by federal law governing retirement benefits.
**Ruling:**
The MSPB reviewed the evidence presented, including service records, OPM's calculations, and applicable federal statutes and regulations. The Board found that:
1. OPM's calculation followed the prescribed methods and adhered to the necessary regulations.
2. The petitioner did not provide sufficient evidence to substantiate claims of miscalculation regarding his service time.
Consequently, the Board upheld OPM’s decision regarding the calculation of benefits, determining that it complied with all relevant regulations and accurately reflected the petitioner’s eligible service time.
**Conclusion:**
The appeal was denied, affirming that OPM's decision regarding the retirement benefits calculation was correct. The case highlights the importance of accurate record-keeping and understanding the federal regulations related to retirement benefits for federal employees.
**Implications:**
This case serves as a precedent regarding how OPM calculates retirement benefits and the importance of providing thorough documentation to support any claims of miscalculation by employees seeking retirement benefits. It emphasized the need for federal employees to be vigilant about their service records and to understand the implications of federal regulations on their retirement entitlements.