Recommendation,
Go to a NATCA and/or FAA retirement seminar. Go to them more then once. Great information, you will something each time. I found NATCA better then FAA, but both very similar and informative. Go early in career and later in career.
Basic ATC retirement
Eligible 20 years and age 50, 2152 time. 25 years 2152 time any age.
OPM pays supplement from Retirement to eligible for Social Security. Wage earnings tested from MRA (56-57).Supplement does not increase each year with COLA.
FERS ANNUITY gets COLA ( cost of living ajustment) as follows
COLA. Increase
0-2%. Raise equals cola
2-3%. Raise is 2%
3% or more. Raise is 1% less then COLA
Cannot add military time to BECOME eligible. Military time is added after being eligible.
Must be in FEHB for 5 years to carry it into retirement. Spouse can continue FEHB after retiree passed away, as long as it is continuously paid. Once stop paying, cannot get FEHB back. Make sure spouse knows this information.