Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS)
Generally, you are covered by FERS if you were first hired in a retirement covered position after December 31, 1983.
If you want to apply for voluntary retirement, you should submit your retirement documents 120 days before the date you would like your retirement to be effective.
Download the OPM Retirement Quick Guide - A Reference for for Voluntary Retirement to help you prepare for and navigate the voluntary retirement process.
Action Required to Apply for Voluntary RetiremenT (FERS)
You must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Age and length of service:
- Age 62 with 5 years of service or
- Age 60 with 20 years of service or
- Minimum Retirement Age (MRA) with 30 years of service
- Have 5 years of creditable civilian service.
- Separate from a position subject to FERS coverage.
Complete the SF 3107, Application for Immediate Retirement and contact the Benefits Line at 1-888-320-2917. Select option 4 to request a retirement counselor.
FERS Minimum Retirement Age (MRA)
The FERS Minimum Retirement Age (MRA) is the earliest age at which you may retire with an immediate annuity after 10 to 29 years of service or with an unreduced annuity after 30 years of service. The MRA is based on your year of birth and ranges from 55 to 57.
| Year of Birth |
Minimum Retirement Age |
| Before 1948 |
55 years |
| 1948 |
55 years and 2 month |
| 1949 |
55 years and 4 months |
| 1950 |
55 years and 6 months |
| 1951 |
55 years and 8 months |
| 1952 |
55 years and 10 months |
| 1953-1964 |
56 years |
| 1965 |
56 years and 2 months |
| 1966 |
56 years and 4 months |
| 1967 |
56 years and 6 months |
| 1968 |
56 years and 8 months |
| 1969 |
56 years and 10 months |
| 1970 or later |
57 years |
Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS)
Generally, you are covered by CSRS if:
- You were first hired in a retirement covered position prior to January 1, 1984 and have been continuously employed since then and have not requested to change over to FERS.
- You were covered by CSRS, had a break in service, and were rehired within 365 day to a CSRS covered position.
Action required to Apply for Early Voluntary Retirement (CSRS)
You must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Age and length of service:
- Age 50 with 20 years of service or
- Any age with 25 years of service
- Have 5 years of creditable civilian service.
- Separate from a position subject to CSRS coverage.
- Be covered by CSRS for at least 1 year within the 2-year period immediately preceding separation.
Complete the SF 2801, Application for Immediate Retirement and call the Benefits Line at 1-888-320-2917. Select option 4 to request a retirement counselor.