[Decision Concerning NSA Employee's Claim for Reimbursement for Real Estate Expenses]

The National Security Agency (NSA) requested a decision concerning a transferred employee's claim for 100 percent of allowable real estate expenses. The employee was single when he reported to his new duty station, but later married and jointly purchased a residence with his wife. NSA limited the employee's reimbursement to 50 percent of the authorized expenses because he was single when he transferred. GAO held that the employee was entitled to be reimbursed for the full amount because he: (1) was married at the time of the settlement on the residence, which was generally when transaction expenses were incurred; and (2) held title to the residence with a member of his immediate family. Accordingly, the claim was allowed.