In order to further improve the lines of communication and to respond to the concerns between the National VA Council and you our members, I have established a National VA Council Briefing. This NVAC Briefing will bring you the latest news and developments within DVA and provide you with the current status of issues this Council is currently addressing. I believe that this NVAC Briefing will greatly enhance the way in which we communicate and the way in which we share new information, keeping you better informed. Alma L. Lee National VA Council, President

VBA Letter 20-05-02

Director (00)

All VACO Services and Offices, All Area Offices, and All Regional Offices and Centers

This letter announces the Veterans Benefits Administration's intent to use its Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA); describes the employees eligible to participate; provides guidance for managing the program; and provides a point of contact for assistance.

VBA will make limited use of VERA in FY 2005 to assist with our restructuring goals, including restructuring organizations, delayering supervisory levels, correcting skill imbalances, and avoiding other costly and disruptive adjustments in the workforce.

Application and Approval Process

Applications will be approved only from employees in positions that are being abolished. The facility or service/office director must attach a recommendation of approval to each application that includes an explanation of why this position is no longer needed and a revised organizational chart for the affected division/service/office. The facility or service/office director is authorized to disapprove applications from employees in positions that are not being abolished.

All applications recommended for approval by the facility or service/office director must be submitted to the Deputy Under Secretary for Benefits, through all intermediary supervisory channels, for final approval.

Additionally, each applicant must meet the following additional criteria:

· Has held a permanent position with VA continuously since September 22, 2003 (to be eligible for VERA, an employee must have been employed continuously for at least 31 days before October 13, 2003, which is the date that VA requested the authority.

· Has 25 years of creditable service at any age or has 20 years of creditable service at age 50 or above.

· Is not in receipt of a decision of involuntary separation for misconduct or unacceptable performance.

· Has not relocated at the Federal Government's expense within the last 12 months prior to the date of local notification of the VERA application period.

Voluntary Early Retirement Authority

Application Deadline

VBA will accept VERA applications through September 30, 2005.

Requirement to Notify Employees

Facility and service/office directors must ensure that all employees, including those who are out-based or on sick leave, annual leave, leave without pay, etc., are notified of VBA's plan for limited use of this authority in FY 2005. Notification must be accomplished through dissemination of this letter and the enclosed application to each employee. For any employee approved under this authority in 2005, the effective date of separation will be no later than October 31, 2005. Employees may also contact their facility's HR Liaison, their servicing HR Center, or the Office of Human Resources in VBA Headquarters for information and assistance.

Legal Authorities and Reporting Requirements for VERA Retirements

· Legal Authority 1

CSRS Employees: V3P [5 USC 8836(d)(2)]

FERS Employees: USM (5 USC Chapter 84)

· Legal Authority 2

All Employees: OPM Authority 2004-047, dated November 26, 2003

VBA must report the number of employees eligible and approved for VERA to the Office of Personnel Management on a quarterly basis. VBA Human Resource Center Directors will be responsible for reporting this information to the Office of Human Resources (20M1) by the last day of the remaining quarters for FY 2005.

Contact for Additional Information

Questions may be referred to Ms. Ernestine Blakemore, Office of Human Resources (20M1), at (202) 273-5911.

Daniel L. Cooper

Subj.: Voluntary Early Retirement Election

To: Facility/Service/Office Director

I request approval to retire under the Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA) Program. I understand that the Deputy Under Secretary for Benefits will approve my request only if my facility or service/office director determines that my current position is no longer needed and is being organizationally abolished. My decision to retire is entirely voluntary and has not been coerced. I meet the age, service, and performance requirements outlined in VBA Letter 20-05-02 dated January 5, 2005. I understand that this retirement must be effective by October 31, 2005, and request that it become effective on ____(enter date)___.

By signing below, I attest to understanding that if this request is approved, it becomes binding and that, as a result, I must retire unless the VERA ends before the above-requested effective date.