Local Employment Policy Handbook - ICASS

MILITARY RETIREES AND
STATE’S FAMILY MEMBER APPOINTMENT
Ref: 06 State 44108
Effective March 20, 2006, HR must hire US Citizen Eligible Family Members on the travel orders of
direct hire Foreign, Civil, or uniformed service members officially assigned to the Mission and under
Chief of Mission authority who are military retirees on a Family Member Appointment (FMA) if selected
for a State position. They are considered Appointment Eligible Family Members (AEFMs).
There is no provision in this policy for HR to:
A. Hire (appoint) retroactively under a FMA; or
B. Convert current US Citizen EFMs who are military retirees from a PSA to an FMA without
recruitment.
Legislation affected in 1999 allows agencies to hire retirees of the uniformed services without the retirees
having to take a cut in their annuity. Military annuitants are the only USG retirees HR may hire under a
State FMA without salary ceilings or offsets.
EFMs who receive a FS or CS annuity are subject to dual compensation provisions limiting the amount of
salary and annuity they may receive. HR continues to hire them under PSAs so they may receive full
salary and annuity.
No USG official (any person directly hired by the federal government) may suggest or encourage any US
Citizen EFM military retiree currently employed under a PSA to resign from his or her position with the
intent of applying for the same position for employment under a FMA, nor may any individual working
for the USG who has responsibilities in the areas of human resources or contracting make any such
suggestion. Doing this could give the appearance that post management can guarantee future employment
at the Mission to a particular applicant. Further, it could give the perception of favoritism towards certain
applicants, hurting overall morale within the Mission.
Current EFMs who are military retirees who may think about voluntarily resigning from their current
positions should understand the inherent risks involved. Circumstances beyond the control of Mission
management, such as a rescission of the Mission’s budget or severe fluctuations in the exchange rate
could result in funds being unavailable for the newly vacant position. Also, any position the Mission
advertises must be open at a minimum to all US Citizen EFMs. An individual under a PSA who resigns
could be competing under a new recruitment with an individual(s) who may be better qualified.