Retirement Questions

Under FERS (the Federal Employees Retirement System) you can retire on an immediate, unreduced annuity at MRA with 30 years, age 60 with 20 years, or age 62 with 5 years. Your MRA is 55-57 depending on birth year. MRA+10 allows retirement with 10-29 years but with a permanent reduction unless postponed.

Resources: opm.gov/retirement-center/fers-information

Run estimates yourself anytime in your agency's retirement system (e.g., GRB, FedHR Nav Platform). For a counselor-verified estimate (recommended 1-2 years out), submit a retirement services ticket with your target date and any military service.

Resources: opm.gov/retirement-center

Request estimated earnings from your branch's pay center via form RI 20-97 with your DD-214, submit to HR for a deposit calculation (generally 3% of military basic pay plus interest for FERS), then pay via payroll deduction or lump sum before retiring.

Resources: Form RI 20-97; DFAS.mil; opm.gov/retirement-center

Unused sick leave is added to your service time for the annuity computation (not eligibility). FERS retirees get full credit; roughly 174 hours equals one month of additional service credit.

Resources: opm.gov/retirement-center

Make contribution elections in agency payroll or employee self-service, not tsp.gov (which handles investments only). Changes usually take effect on the next full pay period.

Resources: tsp.gov

Generally, 3% of military basic pay plus accrued interest starting a few years after hire—so it costs more the longer you wait. Usually worthwhile since it counts toward eligibility and computation, but military retired pay generally must be waived for it to count.

Resources: opm.gov/retirement-center

Your SCD (Leave) appears in Block 31 of your SF-50; note it can differ from your retirement SCD. Pull SF-50s from eOPF and compare to your service history; open a Records ticket if something's off.

Resources: eOPF

Current employees can log into eOPF and download them directly. If you can't access eOPF or documents are missing, submit a Records request.

Resources: eOPF

TSP loans are handled entirely by TSP—apply at tsp.gov, where you can model amounts and repayment. General-purpose and residential loans require sufficient vested balance and active pay status; repayment is via payroll deduction.

Resources: tsp.gov; ThriftLine 1-877-968-3778

If you'll be 50 or older during the calendar year, you can contribute beyond the regular IRS limit using the 'spillover' method—no separate election needed. Check tsp.gov for current-year limits.

Resources: tsp.gov

Yes, TSP accepts rollovers of eligible funds from traditional 401(k)s, 403(b)s, and IRAs (Roth employer-plan money too; Roth IRAs cannot roll in). Initiate at tsp.gov.

Resources: tsp.gov

FERS lets you elect a full survivor annuity (50%, costing 10% of your annuity), partial (25%, costing 5%), or none—electing less than full for a spouse requires notarized consent. This election also determines if your spouse can keep FEHB after your death.

Resources: opm.gov/retirement-center; retire.opm.gov/help

The supplement approximates Social Security earned as a FERS employee, paid to those retiring on an immediate, unreduced annuity before age 62 (e.g., MRA+30 or 60+20, not MRA+10). It ends at 62 and is subject to an earnings test.

Resources: opm.gov/retirement-center

OPM pays interim annuity payments while it finalizes your case, then pays any accrued difference retroactively. Processing time varies with case complexity. Check status at OPM Services Online.

Resources: servicesonline.opm.gov; 1-888-767-6738

Submit form SF-3106 to OPM after being separated at least 31 days. Taking a refund voids your right to an annuity for that service unless later redeposited with interest.

Resources: Form SF-3106; opm.gov/retirement-center

Part-time service counts fully toward eligibility, but the annuity is prorated based on hours worked vs. full-time hours over your career. Your high-3 salary uses full-time equivalent rates.

Resources: opm.gov/retirement-center

It depends on timing and whether deductions were taken. Non-deduction service before 1989 can be credited by paying a deposit; most post-1988 temporary service is not creditable for FERS.

Resources: opm.gov/retirement-center

TSP beneficiaries are designated online at tsp.gov (paper TSP-3 in limited cases). For FERS lump-sum contributions use form SF-3102. Without a designation beneficiary, funds follow the statutory order of precedence.

Resources: tsp.gov; Form SF-3102

The retirement application is built around Standard Form 3107 (FERS) or Standard Form 2801 (CSRS), now submitted through OPM's Online Retirement Application (ORA), which walks you through benefit elections like survivor benefits, health and life insurance continuation, tax withholding, and direct deposit. ORA prefills key records such as your service history and high-3 salary, though TSP and Social Security benefits require separate applications. OPM recommends starting the process with your HR office at least 60 days before your retirement date — and if your package is complete by your separation date, OPM has committed to paying eligible retirees within seven days of retirement.

Resources: Retire FAQ - OPM.gov; Pre-Retirement - OPM.gov; Online Retirement Application (ORA) - OPM.gov

OPM recommends submitting your completed retirement application to your agency's HR office at least 60 days before your planned retirement date. In the meantime, verify that all your federal service is documented in your personnel folder and request an annuity estimate from HR so you can plan for the interim payment period. Also confirm your eligibility to continue health and life insurance coverage into retirement — generally you must have been enrolled for five years immediately before retiring. Finally, consider retiring at the end of the month so your annuity begins the first day of the following month.

Resources: Retire FAQ - OPM.gov; Pre-Retirement - OPM.gov

Submit your resignation/retirement in writing, complete the agency clearance process, and review the exit checklist covering lump-sum annual leave, FEHB/FEGLI continuation options, TSP, and final LES/W-2 address.

Resources: opm.gov/healthcare-insurance