USDA - APHIS

Human Resources Division (HRD) - Benefits - Federal Ballpark Estimate

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Are you on the right track for saving for retirement? Do you have any idea what your retirement income will be? The Federal Ballpark Estimate is an easy-to-use tool that helps you quickly identify whether you have saved enough to have a comfortable retirement.

The Federal Ballpark Estimate is for Federal employees covered by the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or CSRS-Offset, or the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).

To use this calculator, you will need to know the following:

What retirement plan are you covered by?

Look at your NFC Personal Page at https://www.nfc.usda.gov/personal/index2.asp (look under Personal Benefits).

What is your Retirement Service Computation Date (SCD)?

This date may not be the same as the Leave SCD on your Statement of Earnings and Leave, because it is affected by retirement creditable service rules. To determine your Retirement SCD, look at your NFC Personal Page at https://www.nfc.usda.gov/personal/index2.asp (look under Personal Info - Miscellaneous, or under Personal Benefits).

What is your current wage (annual salary - no overtime)?

Look at your NFC Personal Page at https://www.nfc.usda.gov/personal/index2.asp (look under Personal Info - Pay).

What is your current balance in the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)?

Look at your TSP Account Balance at http://www.tsp.gov/ (Account Access)

What is your contribution rate to the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)?

Look at your NFC Personal Page at https://www.nfc.usda.gov/personal/index2.asp (look under Self Service, or at your latest Statement of Earnings and Leave). The Ballpark Estimate asks you to enter a percentage, not a dollar amount, maximum 15%.

What is the balance of your non-TSP savings?

Determine the current amount you have saved for retirement, outside of TSP.

If you have gathered all of the above information, you are ready to try the Federal Ballpark Estimate at http://www.opm.gov/retire/tools/calculators/ballpark/menu.asp

Remember, this is only an estimate. If you are within 3 years of eligibility for retirement, please contact your servicing Benefits Specialist for a more accurate CSRS or FERS retirement calculation. Contact your Benefits Specialist if you have any questions about creditable service for retirement.

(For employees of USDA Marketing and Regulatory Programs and the Merit Systems Protection Board)