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This is the reply promised you on February 14 in the interest of the Honorable Homer Thornberry, regarding his right under the Civil Service Retirement Law.

Judge Thornberry terminated his service as a Member on December 20, 1963. His military and civilian service totals 18 years, 6 months, 13 days. As pointed out in prior correspondence, the only annuity benefit payable is one effective from January 9, 1969, the Judge's 60th birthday.

Assuming his appointment as a "Judge of the United States" is as defined in 28 USC 451, Judge Thornberry can apply for civil service annuity now and we will suspend payment for the benefit until he "retires" under the judicial retirement provisions or otherwise se-. parates from his office as judge. If his death should occur prior to his filing for annuity and he is survived by his present wife, she will be entitled to survivor annuity.

Tentative monthly annuity rates payable on total service in this case

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Tentative monthly annuity rates payable without credit for military service are:

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If I can furnish further information, do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely yours,

Andrew E. Ruddock

Director

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Further reference is made to your letter of January 9, 1969, with
regard to whether it is to your advantage to apply for Civil Service
annuity at this time or to defer application to some future date.

The Civil Service Commission informed us that you can apply for
Civil Service annuity now and benefit payment will be suspended until
your "judicial retirement" or separation otherwise as a judge. How-
ever, if your death should occur before filing for annuity and your
present wife survives you, she will be entitled to Civil Service sur-
vivor annuity. A copy of the letter from the Commission dated March 10,
1969, concerning your rights under the Civil Service Retirement Law,
is enclosed for your information.

Accordingly, we have calculated the annuity payable to your widow under the Judicial Survivors Annuity System under various circumstances should your death occur on certain given dates. The enclosed table reflects a comparison of your widow's tentative annuity rates on the basis of your service specified under the Judicial Survivors Annuity System and the Civil Service Retirement System, as well as the combined annuity benefits when applicable.

Based on the current provisions of law, a comparison of the annuity
'rates indicates your widow would receive the largest possible sum
through the use of all of your service under the Judicial Survivors
Annuity System, at least until June 7, 1975.

It would not seem advantageous for you to apply for Civil Service an-
nuity at this time in order to afford your widow maximum annuity bene-
fits. Since you may defer applying for annuity and your present wife
will be entitled to survivor annuity in the event your death should
occur before filing for annuity, it would appear reasonable to delay
applying for Civil Service annuity until payment for such benefit can
actually be made to you. You may then wish to reevaluate the benefits
under the Judicial Survivors Annuity System, especially in connection
with the use of your military service in computing your widow's annuity.

With kind regards, I am

Enclosure

Sincerely yours,

Damir

Oren Harris District Judge

United States District Court Eastern & Western Districts of Arkansas 3. O. Box 1733

El Dorado, Arkansas 71730

February 25, 1976

The Honorable David N. Henderson
Committee on Post Office and Civil Service
309 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D. C. 20515

In Re: H.R. 11738

Dear Mr. Chairman:

I have a copy of your letter, dated February 10, 1976, to
The Honorable Homer Thornberry, Circuit Judge, Austin, Texas,
with reference to proposed legislation that would deny Civil
Service Retirement Annuity payments to a former member of
Congress who is entitled to receive salary as a justice or
judge of the United States, even though all the requirements
under the Congressional Retirement Act have been met and the
entitlements have been vested as a right to the annuitant.

As you know, I served as a member of the House of Representatives
for a continuous period of 25 years and 1 month. I participated
in and contributed to the Congressional Retirement Program during
the entire time. At the outset, I paid into the fund the re-
quired sum to get credit for service commencing January 3, 1941.
On resigning as a member of Congress, February 2, 1966, to accept
the nomination and confirmation of an United States District
Judge for the Eastern and Western Districts of Arkansas, I made
an inquiry of the Civil Service Commission as to my status with
the Congressional Retirement Act. I was advised and furnished
documentary information that my application for entitlement to
annuity as a retired employee would be granted but the annuity
payment would be deferred until I had met the requirements of
the Judicial Retirement Act by attaining the age of 70 years or
more and serving as District Judge 10 years or more. I received
a Certificate from the Civil Service Commission that my applica-
tion for retirement had been approved. I received a letter from
Mr. George A. Babel, Chief of Section, Bureau of Retirement and
Insurance, dated February 18, 1966, that pursuant to law they
would discontinue payment of annuity until my separation by
retirement.

Page 2

February 25, 1976

The Honorable David N. Henderson

In Re: H.R. 11738

In order that there would be no misunderstanding, I directed a letter to Mr. Babel on March 1, 1966, requesting additional information as to my status, not only as to my annuity rights, but survivor rights to my spouse. I received a letter from the Civil Service Commission, signed by Mr. Richard M. Cody, Technical Advisor, dated March 17, 1966, advising that should I "become inactive either by disability or retirement as a Federal Judge", I would be eligible to receive both my Civil Service Retirement Annuity and my retirement "salary" under the Judicial Retirement provisions. I was further advised that any retirement rights as a judge or concerning my participation in the Judicial Survivor Annuity System should be directed to the Administrative Office of the United States Courts.

In 1972, some question was raised or inquiry made regarding my Judicial Survivors Annuity participation in the Judicial Survivors Annuity System. I made inquiry as to the status with the Administrative Office of the United States Courts in Washington. On April 6, 1972, I was advised by Mr. Edward V. Garabedian, Assistant Chief of Finance and Business Administration that, in filing my application with the Civil Service Commission on separation from the Congress for retirement, I elected a reduced annuity with benefit to widow. Also, I was advised that my annuity was suspended in view of my appointment as an United States District Judge. Further, I was advised that when I "obtained senior status (by judicial retirement) my annuity payments will commence". Whether or not I perform any active service as a senior judge would not affect the payment of the annuity under the Civil Service Retirement System.

I concluded 10 years of service as a judge on February 3, 1976. I attained the age of 72 years December 20, 1975. Having met the requirement, I was eligible to take retirement status as provided by 28 U.S.C. § 371(b). (Any justice or judge

may retain his office but retire from "regular active service" after attaining the age of 70 years and after serving at least 10 years continuously ...)

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On January 15, 1976, I directed a letter to the President advising that I would assume the status of Senior United States District Judge by retirement from regular active service on February 3, 1976. The President cordially acknowledged my notification of retirement. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court has been advised and so has the Administrative Office of the United States

69-504 - 76-4

Page 3

February 25, 1976

The Honorable David N. Henderson

In Re: H.R. 11738

Courts, the Chief Judge of the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals and our two Senators. On assuming senior status, February 3, the Chief Judge of the Eighth Circuit entered designation for me to serve the Districts in Arkansas on such assignments that I would accept as a senior judge. I have also received notification of personnel action from the Administrative Office of the United States Courts stating "Retirement under Title 28, U.S.C., Section 371(b)".

On January 21, 1976, I directed a letter to the Honorable Thomas A. Tinsley, Director, Bureau of Retirement, Insurance and Occupational Health, advising him that I would assume the status of Senior United States District Judge by retirement from regular active service effective February 3, 1976. I requested that my annuity payments for my congressional service, pursuant to my retirement as determined and approved February 2, 1966, be effectuated. I requested that I be advised if there was any further action necessary on my part.

It was after the above development and the request for annuity payments that I learned a Bill had been introduced that had for its purpose to deny payments to a former member who had served as a judge or justice of the United States Courts. I was unaware that any problem had developed or that the position of the Civil Service Commission had been challenged. Subsequently, I learned that the problem arose due to the claims of Judges Marion T. Bennett and Oliver Gasch, former civil servant employees without congressional service. I understand further that the problem concerns insistence of these two judges that they are entitled to Civil Service annuity after meeting the requirements of the Act even though they continue regular active service as a judge. This seems to me an altogether different problem than my situation, which is a vested right and entitlement to receive annuity under the law after retirement as a regular active judge. I should like to emphasize there is a distinction applicable to judges who retire under the law and the problem referred to that brought on the proposed legislation. I refer you to Notes of Decisions, Title 5, $ 8344 of the United States Code Annot., p. 590, where it is stated that an United States District Judge is not entitled to be paid an annuity while in regular active service as a judge. I appreciate you giving me this opportunity to submit to you my particular situation. As you and other members of the Committee know, I have great respect for the Congress from my long service in this distinguished body. Obviously, I will respect the policy

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