Under the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the NPMHU and the Postal Service on May 22, 2012, eligible Mail Handlers have until July 2, 2012 to choose to leave employment with the USPS (on or before August 31, 2012) and thus receive incentive payments totaling up to fifteen thousand dollars (for full-time employees).

           As previously announced, the MOU also provides for a moratorium on excessing in all facilities until at least August 11, 2012 (unless excessing was already scheduled).  These provisions should enable the Postal Service to eliminate excessing in some facilities that will now have vacancies due to early retirements, and also should create vacancies closer to home for other employees who might be excessed from their installations after August 11.

           The monetary incentives included in the MOU are available (with certain restrictions) to all Mail Handlers who are currently eligible for regular retirement, voluntary early retirement, and all other employees who may wish to separate from the Postal Service.  Those Mail Handlers who are eligible for early retirement already should have received a package in the mail from the Postal Service with additional information. 

           As for the approaching deadline, the MOU states that mail handlers who want to take advantage of the retirement or separation incentive “must indicate in a manner prescribed by the Employer on or before July 2, 2012, their intent to participate in the incentive program by indicating that they wish to take optional retirement, retirement pursuant to a VERA, or voluntary resignation and separate [from the Postal Service] effective August 31, 2012.”  This deadline also is the date after which each individual’s decision to retire or separate is irrevocable.