Applying for Retirement
Applying for Retirement
To qualify for payments from the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or
the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), you must submit a retirement
application,
Standard
Form 2801 [1.25 MB] Application for Immediate Retirement (CSRS)
or
Standard Form 3107 [992 KB] Application for Immediate Retirement (FERS).
Where to Send the Application
If you have been separated from federal service for more than 30 days, submit
your application to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM).
U.S. Office of Personnel Management
Retirement Operations Center
Post Office Box 45
Boyers, PA 16017
If you are still working, submit it to your employer.
Application Processing
Both the personnel and payroll office in your agency, and OPM are responsible
for processing your annuity claim.
Reducing Delays in Processing
You can help reduce delays in processing by submitting your application in
advance and by making sure your Official Personnel Folder (OPF) is complete.
If you submit your paperwork early, your personnel and payroll offices will be
able to complete their action before your retirement date.
Steps Your Personnel Office Takes to
Process Your Application
Your personnel office must take the following actions to process your
retirement application:
- Complete
the "Agency Checklist of Immediate Retirement Procedures”, Standard Form
2801, Schedule D (CSRS) or 3701, Schedule D (FERS).
- Prepare
and obtain your signature on the "Certified Summary of Federal Service,"
Standard Form 2801-1 (CSRS) or 3701-1 (FERS).
- Verify any service not
fully documented in your OPF. If documentation is missing,
verification may be obtained by contacting federal record centers. If
the personnel office is unable to obtain verification, OPM will complete
verification upon receipt of your retirement application and records.
However, this process will cause a delay in processing.
- Certify and transfer your
coverage under the Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) program
to OPM.
- Transfer your enrollment
under the Federal Employees' Health Benefits (FEHB) program to OPM.
- Prepare Standard Form 50,
"Notification of Personnel Action."
- Send all of your
retirement materials to your payroll office.
Steps Your Payroll OfficeTakes to
Process Your Application
After your personnel agency takes action, your agency payroll office:
- Authorizes your final pay
check and lump sum payment for unused annual leave.
- Prepares your "Individual
Retirement Record," Standard Form 2806 (CSRS) or 3100 (FERS) which reflects
service, salary history, and annual retirement contributions.
- Forwards all retirement
documents to OPM.
When OPMReceives Your Application
When we receive your retirement application, OPM will notify you and will
provide a civil service claim identification number (a seven-digit number
preceded by "CSA"). You must use that identification number whenever you
contact OPM about your annuity.
If You Have Questions Before You Receive Your Claim Number
If you need to contact OPM before you receive your claim number, first
contact your former payroll office to find the date your records were
transferred to OPM. Your payroll office should provide you with the number
and date of the Register of Separations and Transfers. You will also need
your Payroll Identification Number.
What OPM Does to Process Your Claim
-
Obtains any information
missing from your retirement documents.
-
Determines your
eligibility for an annuity and continued health and life insurance coverages.
-
Computes the amount of
your annuity.
-
Sends you materials
concerning:
-
your survivor benefit
election;
-
the alternative form of
annuity;
-
rollover to an IRA, or;
-
if you are a FERS MRA+10
retiree, your annuity commencing date.
-
Authorizes your annuity
payment which is paid by the Department of the Treasury.
-
Sends you an annuity
statement.
Annuity Payment Schedule
Regular monthly payments are due the first business day of the month. The
payment covers annuity due for the month before the month in which the payment
is made.
Time Frame for Processing Application
If your retirement records are complete upon receipt and an election of a
benefit is not required, the processing of your claim should be completed in
approximately five weeks. An additional three to four weeks may be added
if a benefit election is required.