Case Summary
**Case Summary: Snyder v. Office of Personnel Management (OPM)**
**Docket Number: 2602996**
**Court:** Administrative Review Board, U.S. Department of Labor
**Date:** [Include specific date if available]
**Background:**
In Snyder v. OPM, the appellant, Snyder, contested a decision made by the Office of Personnel Management regarding the calculation of benefits. Snyder argued that the OPM’s determination was incorrect and requested a review of the agency's decision on several grounds.
**Facts of the Case:**
Snyder, a former federal employee, applied for retirement benefits under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). The OPM calculated Snyder's annuity and issued a determination that Snyder believed was erroneous. Key issues at stake included the accuracy of service credit, the applicability of certain regulations, and the overall method of calculating the retirement benefits owed to Snyder.
**Legal Issues:**
1. Whether the OPM appropriately calculated Snyder's length of service and retirement benefits.
2. Whether Snyder was entitled to additional service credit based on disputed employment periods.
3. Whether the OPM’s decision adhered to the regulations governing federal retirement benefits.
**Arguments:**
- **Appellant's Argument:** Snyder contended that the OPM failed to account for certain periods of service that should have been included in the retirement calculation. Snyder provided documentation and evidence asserting that the agency's calculations underestimated the benefits owed.
- **Agency's Argument:** The OPM defended its calculations, stating that they were consistent with federal regulations and correctly reflected Snyder's service record as maintained in official personnel files.
**Outcome:**
The Administrative Review Board reviewed the evidence presented by both parties, including the documentation Snyder provided and the regulations cited by the OPM. The Board issued a decision that affirmed the OPM's calculations, finding that the agency had followed the appropriate procedures and that Snyder had not sufficiently demonstrated that the calculations were erroneous.
**Conclusion:**
The decision in Snyder v. OPM underscores the importance of accurate record-keeping in federal employment and the complex nature of navigating retirement benefits. The case highlights the administrative avenues available for federal employees to appeal agency decisions related to their benefits, and it reflects the rigorous standards applied by federal agencies and review boards in evaluating claims.
**Implications:**
This case serves as a precedent for similar cases involving disputes over federal retirement benefits, emphasizing the necessity for claimants to provide comprehensive and verifiable documentation to support their claims against agency determinations.
(Note: Further specifics on dates, legal citations, and comprehensive outcomes can be added based on the full court documentation and judgment details.)