Commissioned Corps Retirement Processing
The United States Public Health Service has been structured to accommodate a 30-year career for Corps officers. Officers at the O-6 rank and below will automatically retire the 1st day of the month following completion of 30 years of service. Officers O-6 and below with at least 20 years of service but less than 30 years of service, may elect to voluntarily retire. Memos will be required from the officer retiring and his/her immediate supervisor supporting this choice. The memos will need to be forward to your agency liaison no less than 75 days prior to retirement. Form PHS-1373, “SEPARATION OF COMMISSIONED OFFICER” should be sent to the liaison office no less than 45 days prior to retirement. Flag officers at the O-7 rank will be involuntarily retired after 33 years of service and Flag officers at the O-8 rank will be involuntarily retired after completion of 36 years of service.
The PHS Commissioned Corps retirement packet includes items of vital importance to you. You must thoroughly review all the items: some are essential to accomplish your retirement, some are essential to process retirement benefits and entitlements, and some provide general information.
Any item requiring action by you should be handled as soon as possible. A summary of the items follows:
- Form PHS-1373. Separation of Commissioned Officers
. This form must be completed by retiring officer and processed through program channels. - Memorandum . Subject: Home of Selection. This form must be completed when you are ready to move your household goods to a new residence.
- Pre-Retirement Physical Examination/Veterans Administration Benefits
. DD Forms 2807-1, “Report of Medical History” and DD 2808, “Report of Medical Examination” and PHS 6355, "Report of Dental Examination." - Memorandum . Subject: Pre-Retirement Physical Examination. This memorandum authorizes you to undergo a complete physical examination prior to your retirement date. Present it to the examining physician at any uniformed services medical facility.
- Officer’s Response to Pre-Retirement Physical Examination Requirement . Return this form to the Retirement Coordinator.
- Veteran’s application for Compensation or Pension. VA Form 21-526 . To be completed and returned to the Retirement Coordinator with a copy of your medical records and physical examination.
- Form PHS-5150. Survivor Benefit Plan Election Certificate . This election certificate must be received to the Retirement Coordinator prior to your date for retirement. If not returned, an automatic election will be made for you at the maximum amount.
- Form PHS 4013-1. Application for Shipment of Household Goods . Use for household goods.
- SF-1012. Travel Voucher . Complete and send back to old duty station for payment.
- Form PHS-2988. Voucher for Reimbursement for Travel . Dependent travel voucher.
- Treasury Form W-4 . “Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate .” Until this form is received your federal taxes will be withheld at the single and zero rate.
- SF-1199A . Complete items A-G and have the rest completed by the financial institution. In item G, simply put your Social Security number in the space titled “claim number.” Return this form to have your retirement pay check deposited directly in a financial institution.
- Memorandum . Subject: ID cards for Dependent Retired Officers. DD Form 1172, "Application for Uniformed Services Identification and Privilege Card/DEERS Enrollment."
Note: All allotments will be discontinued on the effective date of your retirement. Please inform all concern parties of this action and make plans accordingly.
Officers who have received readjustment pay, VSI SSB, and severance pay based on service in the armed forces, must notify this office of such payment.
Officers who have been members of the Armed Forces/Commissioned Corps and was paid for unused annual leave prior to joining the Corps must verify the number of days sold before requesting payment for lump-sum-leave.
Your retirement orders establish your rate of retirement pay, travel and shipment entitlements. After retirement, questions on retirement pay should be addressed to:
Retirement Coordinator
5600 Fishers Lane, Room 4-50
Rockville, Maryland 20857
(301) 594-3472, Fax 301-443-4188
