Deferred
If you are a former Federal employee who was covered by the Federal Employees
Retirement System (FERS), you may be eligible for a deferred annuity at age
62 or the Minimum Retirement Age (MRA).
Age and Service Requirements
You are eligible for a deferred annuity if you meet one of the following age
and service requirements:
- You have completed at least 5 years of creditable civilian service, then
you are eligible for a deferred annuity beginning on the first day of the
month after you reach age 62.
- You have completed at least 10 years of creditable service, including 5
years of civilian service, then you are eligible for a deferred annuity the
first day of the month after you reach the Minimum Retirement Age (MRA)*.
*Determine Your MRA
Before 1948 |
55 years |
1948 |
55 years, 2 months |
1949 |
55 years, 4 months |
1950 |
55 years, 6 months |
1951 |
55 years, 8 months |
1952 |
55 years, 10 months |
1953 to 1964 |
56 years |
1965 |
56 years, 2 months |
1966 |
56 years, 4 months |
1967 |
56 years, 6 months |
1968 |
56 years, 8 months |
1969 |
56 years, 10 months |
After 1969 |
57 years |
Age Reduction
If you completed at least 10, but less than 30 years of creditable service
before you left Federal service, your annuity will be reduced if it begins before
age 62. The only exception to this is if you had at least 20 years of
service and your annuity begins when you reach age 60, there is no reduction.
Your annuity will be reduced by 5/12 of 1% (5% per year) for each month by
which your benefit commencing date precedes your 62nd birthday. However,
you can postpone the commencing date of your annuity to reduce or eliminate
this age reduction.
Health Benefits and Life Insurance Coverage
If you receive a deferred annuity, you are not eligible to continue any health
benefits or life insurance coverage you had while employed.
Retiree Annuity Supplement
Former employees who receive a deferred annuity are not eligible for the retiree
annuity supplement.
Commencing Date of Deferred Retirement
Retirement With 10 or More Years of Service
The annuity begins either-
- the first day of the month after the former employee attains the MRA, or
- later date specified by the retiree, in order to reduce or avoid the age
reduction.
Retirement With At Least 5 But Less Than 10 Years of Service-
The annuity begins-
- The first day of the month after the individual reaches age 62.
Survivor Benefits
If you are married when your annuity begins, it will be computed with a reduction
to provide maximum survivor benefits (50% of your unreduced annuity) for your
spouse upon your death. You can elect to provide a partial survivor benefit
(25% of your unreduced annuity) or no survivor benefits; however, you must get
your spouse’s consent to elect either of these options. You can
also elect a survivor annuity for a former spouse or an insurable interest survivor
benefit.
Computation of Deferred Benefit
Your deferred annuity is based on the length of service and high-3 average
salary in effect when you separated from Federal service.
Go to the FERS Computation page.
Applying for Deferred Benefit
Form to Use-
Use form
RI 92-19 [406 KB], Application for Deferred or Postponed Retirement to apply for
deferred or postponed retirement benefits under the Federal Employees Retirement
System.
When to Apply-
Send your application to OPM approximately 60 days before you want your benefits
to begin. Send your completed application to:
U.S. Office of Personnel Management
Retirement Operations Center
Post Office Box 45
Boyers, PA 16017
If You Die Before Applying for a Deferred Annuity
If you have less than 10 years of creditable service or no eligible survivor,
any contributions remaining in the retirement fund are paid in a lump sum (with
interest) to your designated beneficiary or person in order of precedence as
set by law.
If you have 10 or more years of creditable service for which withholdings or
deposits remain in the Fund (5 years of which is creditable civilian service)
and your spouse was married to you at the time of your separation from Federal
service, he/she would be eligible for a survivor annuity. Your surviving
spouse may elect to receive a lump-sum payment of your retirement contributions
in lieu of the survivor annuity.