Deferred
If you are a former Federal employee who was covered by the Civil Service Retirement
System (CSRS), you may be eligible for a deferred annuity at age 62.
Age and Service Requirement for Deferred Retirements
You are eligible for a deferred annuity if you meet the following age and service
requirements:
Deferred |
62 |
5 years of civilian service |
- Covered by the Civil Service Retirement law for at least 1 year out
of the last 2 years preceding the final separation on which your entitlement
is based.
- Did not receive a refund of retirement deductions covering your final
period of service
|
Health Benefits and Life Insurance Coverage
If you receive a deferred annuity, you are not eligible to continue any health
benefits and life insurance coverage you had while employed.
Commencing Date of Deferred Retirement
The deferred annuity commences on your 62nd birthday, no matter when you apply
for it.
Survivor Benefits
If you are married when your annuity begins, it will be computed with a reduction
to provide maximum survivor benefits (55% of your unreduced annuity) for your
spouse upon your death. You can elect to provide a partial survivor benefit
(less than 55% 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. In the years between
the date of separation and age 62, the average salary is not adjusted by any
intervening cost-of-living adjustments. Your accrued and unused sick leave balance
at the time of your separation is not creditable for eligibility or computation
purposes in a deferred retirement.
View CSRS Computation page
Applying for Deferred Benefit
Form to Use:
Use OPM
Form 1496A, Application for Deferred Retirement, to apply for deferred retirement
benefits under the Civil Service Retirement System.
When to Apply:
Send your application to OPM approximately 60 days before your 62nd birthday.
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
No survivor annuity is payable to a former employee’s spouse, former
spouse, or children if the former employee has title to a deferred annuity but
dies before reaching age 62, or reaches age 62, but dies before filing an application
for CSRS retirement. The only benefit payable in either case would be
a lump-sum payment of the former employee’s retirement contributions,
without interest.