FERS

What is FERS?

The Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS) is a retirement plan that started on January 1, 1987. It has three parts: Social Security, a basic retirement benefit from FERS, and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). If you leave your federal job before you retire, you can take Social Security and your TSP savings with you to your next job.

You are covered by FERS if:
•    You were first hired on or after January 1, 1984; or,
•    You were rehired after a break in service of more than one year but with less than five years of creditable CSRS civilian service; or,
•    You elected to transfer to FERS; or,
•    You were rehired in a covered position after a separation from a FERS position.

Refer to OPM’s FERS page for more information on the Federal Employees’ Retirement System (FERS), including retirement eligibility.

FERS Separation (Non-Retirement)

If you separated from the Federal government and were not eligible for retirement benefits, refer to the NIH Former Employee’s webpage.

Applying for FERS Retirement

If you are within one year of retirement, you should request a retirement estimate through the WiTS portal.

If you plan to retire in the next 3-4 months and you've asked for a retirement estimate already, you should fill out your retirement forms using the Checklist – FERS-CSRS Optional Retirement as a guide and submit them to your retirement specialist. You can sign these forms digitally with your government PIV card, or you can print them out, sign them by hand, scan them, and email them.

Forms or actions by you include:

Form/Document Details
Employee Checklist

Required. 

  • Use this as a coversheet for your retirement application forms.
Routing and Transmittal Slip

Required. 

  • Complete and send to your supervisor and Administrative Officer. 
  • Return a copy with your retirement paperwork.
SF-3107

Required

  • Complete pages 5-7

Required if you have prior military service or Workers’ Comp claim.

  • Page 8 of the SF-3107

Required.

  • Page 9-10 of the SF-3107

Required if you are married and the maximum survivor benefit is not elected. 

  • Page 11 of the SF-3107
SF-2818

Required if you have life insurance at retirement. 

  • Complete page 4.
Beneficiary Forms

Optional.
W-4P Federal Tax Withholding Form
DD 214 or Equivalent If you have prior military service, include all DD 214(s), member 4s or equivalent. 
Marriage Certificate (Copy)

Required if you are currently married. 

  • Marriage certificates in another language must be officially translated.
Divorce Decree (Certified Copy)

Required if you are divorced and your former spouse is entitled to part of your annuity.

  • If you have already provided a court certified copy to OPM, a copy is sufficient.
Digital Signatures Use this Job Aid to help you sign your retirement papers digitally. 
Other Reminders
  • Notify appropriate military branch if waiving military retired pay.
  • Verify all financial indebtedness to the agency is resolved.
  • Contact TSP about your TSP monies. Read more on TSP’s website.
  • Download your personnel records from eOPF.

You may also wish to review the OPM Retirement Quick Guide for additional information regarding your upcoming retirement.

When completing your retirement forms, be mindful of common mistakes that can cause delays.
  • Provide all required signatures and double-check the completeness of forms prior to submission.
  • Use your personal contact information on the paperwork, not your work contact. This is how OPM will contact you after retirement.
  • If you make a mistake completing the form, complete a new one. Identified corrective actions can cause delays.

Refer to OPM's application tips page for more common application errors.

Disability Applicants

In addition to the above forms, also complete:

  • SF-3112 - Application for Disability Retirement
    • SF 3112A - Applicant Statement of Disability
    • SF 3112B - Supervisor's Statement - Provide this form along with the SF-3112A to your immediate supervisor.
    • SF 3112C - Physician's Statement - You and/or your physician will need to provide a signed copy of the SF-3112C and medical documentation to support your request for disability retirement. Be sure to make a copy of this information for your records before sending it to the Benefits Office.
  • Social Security Disability Application Confirmation

Postponed Retirements

If you were eligible for MRA+10 upon your separation and chose to postpone your retirement annuity to reduce or eliminate the age reduction, you should send the postponed retirement application (RI 92-19) and other applicable forms to OPM 60 days prior to turning age 62.

What happens if I miss the filing date?

You will be able to choose one of the following options:

  • A retroactive age reduced annuity effective the month after your separation date. You will be entitled to continue FEHB and FEGLI as long as you were eligible when you separated. Your unused sick leave balance will also be credited in your retirement annuity.
  • An unreduced annuity to be effective the first of the month after you turned age 62. You will NOT be eligible for FEHB or FEGLI. Your unused sick leave balance will be forfeited.

New Retirees

OPM Resources

As a new retiree, you may have some questions or need to contact OPM directly. OPM’s Information for FERS Annuitants booklet (RI 90-8) can provide additional information about FERS retirement. If you need to contact OPM, refer to OPM’s contact page. Other retirement FAQs can be found on OPM’s Retirement FAQs page.


Thrift Savings Plan

Withdrawals are filed directly with the TSP Service Office after retirement. You must take your first Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) by April 1st of the year following either the year you reach your RMD age or the year you retire (whichever is later).


Access to NIH Campus After Retirement

Other Retirement Resources

Contact us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.