Eligibility
There are four categories of benefits in the Federal Employees Retirement System
(FERS) Basic Benefit Plan:
Immediate |
Early | Deferred
| Disability
Eligibility is determined by your age and number of years of creditable service.
In some cases, you must have reached the Minimum Retirement Age (MRA) to receive
retirement benefits. Use the following chart to figure your Minimum Retirement
Age.
In 1948 |
55 and 2 months |
In 1949 |
55 and 4 months |
In 1950 |
55 and 6 months |
In 1951 |
55 and 8 months |
In 1952 |
55 and 10 months |
In 1953-1964 |
56 |
In 1965 |
56 and 2 months |
In 1966 |
56 and 4 months |
In 1967 |
56 and 6 months |
In 1968 |
56 and 8 mo |
In 1969 |
56 and 10 mont |
In 1970 and after |
57 |
Immediate Retirement:
An immediate retirement benefit is one that starts within 30 days from the
date you stop working. If you meet one of the following sets of age and
service requirements, you are entitled to an immediate retirement benefit:
If you retire at the MRA with at least 10, but less than 30 years of service, your
benefit will be reduced by 5 percent a year for each year you are under 62,
unless you have 20 years of service and your benefit starts when you reach age
60 or later.
Early Retirement:
The early retirement benefit is available in certain involuntary separation
cases and in cases of voluntary separations during a major reorganization or
reduction in force. To be eligible, you must meet the following requirements:
Deferred Retirement:
Refers to delayed payment of benefit until criteria are met, as follows:
If you leave Federal service before you meet the age and service requirements
for an immediate retirement benefit, you may be eligible for deferred retirement
benefits. To be eligible, you must have completed at least 5 years of creditable
civilian service. You may receive benefits when you reach one of the following
ages:
If you retire at the MRA with at least 10, but less than 30 years of service,
your benefit will be reduced by 5 percent a year for each year you are under
62, unless you have 20 years of service and your benefit starts when you reach
age 60 or later.
Disability Retirement
Disability Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) Annuity Requirements
Special Requirements: You must have become disabled, while
employed in a position subject to FERS, because of a disease or injury, for
useful and efficient service in your current position. The disability must be
expected to last at least one year. Your agency must certify that it is unable
to accommodate your disabling medical condition in your present position and
that it has considered you for any vacant position in the same agency at the
same grade/pay level, within the same commuting area, for which you are qualified
for reassignment.