Eligibility Requirements for Immediate Retirement Under CSRS

Type of Retirement

Minimum Age

Minimum Service (Year)

Special Requirements

Optional

62

5

None

60

20

None

55

30

None

Special
Optional

50

20

Special Optional - You must retire under special provisions for air traffic controllers or law enforcement and firefighter personnel. Air traffic controllers can also retire at any age with 25 years of service.

Early
Optional

Any age

25

Early Optional - The Office of Personnel Management must have determined that your agency is undergoing a major reorganization, reduction- in-force, or transfer of function.

 50

 20

Discontinued
Service

Any age

25

Discontinued Service -Your separation must be voluntary and not a removal for misconduct or delinquency.

50

20

Disability

Any age

5

Disability - You must be disabled for useful and efficient service in both your current position and any other vacant position at the same grade or pay level for which you are qualified. Other requirements must also be met.

1.

If you have at least 5 years of creditable civilian service, do not receive a refund of all retirement contributions, and are not eligible for an immediate retirement benefit, you may be eligible for a deferred annuity at age 62.

2.

Contact us to ask for OPM Form 1496A, Application for Deferred Retirement. Call (202) 606-0500 or write us at OPM, P.O. Box 45, Boyers PA 16017-0045. Complete the form and mail it to us no sooner than 2 months before you are 62. The deferred annuity begins on your 62nd birthday.

3.

The general formula for computing annuities can be expressed as a percentage of your "high-3" average salary. Your high-3 average salary is the highest 3 years of base pay or salary you earned in any consecutive 3-year period (usually your last 3 years). The percentage is determined by a 3-part formula based on your length of creditable service. You earn:
 
1.50% per year for the first 5 years or 7.50% plus
1.75% per year for the next 5 years or 8.75% plus
2.00% per year for service over 10 years.

4.

If you want to make a deposit for post-1956 military service so that you can receive credit for this service in the computation of your deferred annuity, you must pay the deposit to your employing agency before you separate from Federal employment. OPM cannot accept your payment.

1.

Enrollment in the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program terminates on the last day of the pay period during which you separate. You then have a 31-day free extension of coverage.

2.

When you separate from service, you may choose to continue FEHB coverage for a period of 18 months after your separation. If you take advantage of this temporary continuation of coverage option, you must pay both the employee and the employer share of the health benefits premium plus an administrative charge of 2 percent of the premium. You can choose to enroll in the same plan you had at separation or any other plan, option, or type of enrollment for which you are eligible. (DOD employees should contact their personnel office to determine if any exception applies.)

3.

Temporary continuation of coverage begins as soon as the 31-day free extension of coverage ends regardless of when you elect it. Your agency is required to notify you about your eligibility for temporary continuation of coverage within 60 days after you separate. You have 60 days after receiving the notice to enroll. If you enroll after the 31-day free extensions expire, your enrollment will be retroactive to the expiration of the 31-day free extension and you will be billed for the retroactive coverage.

4.

You may get additional information about temporary continuation of coverage from the pamphlet, "Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC) under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program" (RI79-27), which is available through your employing office.

1.

If you do not want to continue your health benefits coverage under the temporary continuation provision described in paragraph A.2., you may convert to an individual (nongroup contract). The conversion contract is available only from the carrier of the plan you are enrolled in when you separate. If you continue your coverage under the temporary continuation provision, you will have another opportunity to convert to an individual contract at the end of the 18-month period.

2.

If you do convert, you must pay the entire cost of coverage and your benefits may be less than previous coverage. However, the carrier must offer you a non-group contract regardless of any health problems you or your family members may have.

When you separate, your employing office must terminate your enrollment by completing an SF 2810, and forwarding you a copy. The SF 2810 tells about the 31-day extension of coverage and how to convert to a nongroup contract, and gives information about temporary continuation of coverage. Your agency will also give you a notice about your eligibility for the temporary continuation of coverage described above (paragraph A) and information about how to enroll.

You cannot reinstate your health benefits coverage if you receive a deferred annuity.

Life insurance under the Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) program terminates on the last day of the pay period during which you separate. You then have a 31-day free extension of coverage during which you may convert to an individual policy.

You cannot reinstate your life insurance coverage if you receive a deferred annuity.