The 3-year requirement is met by an employee who transfers to a supervisory
or administrative position "after performing duties" that met the
conditions that would qualify a position as a rigorous position (5 USC 8401(14)(B) and (17)(C)).
For purposes of the 3-year requirement, it does not matter whether the
service is actually made creditable by payment of a deposit or whether the
service cannot be made creditable.
Thus, non-deduction service -- for example, service under a temporary or
intermittent appointment -- can count toward the 3-year requirement. Even
post-1988 non-deduction service (which can never be made creditable under FERS
for annuity entitlement or computation purposes) can be used to meet the 3-year
requirement.
NOTE 1: Service performed
BEFORE
1987, and not subject to retirement deductions, must be submitted for coverage
determination under CSRS procedures.
IN ALL CASES UNDER FERS PROCEDURES, to have the special benefit coverage
while in a secondary position, the employee is required to be serving in a
rigorous position actually subject to FERS deductions at the time of transfer to
a secondary position.
EVIDENCE OF COVERAGE: An employee in a rigorous
position is subject to the extra one-half percent retirement deductions.
An employee in a secondary position, who meets the coverage criteria, is
subject to the extra one-half percent retirement deductions.
An employee in a position not subject to the one-half percent withholding
must
formally and in writing seek a determination of coverage from the employing
agency within 6 months after entering the position, or after any significant
change in the position.