Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 8/28/2008

Question
Ma'am, I got back from Iraq this past Oct. I took the leave that I didn't use while deployed when I got home and then returned to work. I just learned tonight that all soldiers that return from active duty in Iraq were entitled to five days paid leave from our civilian employer (mine is the Federal Government)Where do I or other soldiers go to confirm this information?
Another question I have is if I had a civilian TSP ( thrift savings plan) account that is normally matched by the Federal Gov. for the first 4% and I deployed to Iraq and I placed 15% of my TSP ( the same amount I put in my civilian TSP) into a military TSP, should my job still have matched the first 4%. I would have been eligible for a match if I hadn't deployed and now do to deployment, I lose 4% for the months I was gone. I have been trying to get an answer to this question for almost a year now and no one can answer it or direct me to some one that can. I am writing you on the chance that maybe you can answer or direct me to someone who can.

Answer
Dear Linda --

Since you deployed as a member of the military service, your employer does not match the military pay which you invested in TSP.  Your employer only matches the pay you invest in TSP while you are on their payroll.  You have two TSP accounts, one for your federal civilian service and one for your military service.

Also since you deployed as a military member, and not as a civilian volunteer, you are not eligible for the federal employees' extra 5 days of leave upon return to CONUS.  You are allowed to use either military leave or accrued civilian leave hours, if you wish to take them, but you are not extended the extra hours offered to the civilian volunteers, when they return.

Sorry the information I have for you is probably not what you want to hear.  Thank you for both your military service and for your civilian service.