When should I start planning my federal retirement?

Start planning your federal retirement at least 5 years before your intended retirement date. This gives you time to optimize your FERS pension calculation, maximize TSP contributions, ensure FEHB eligibility, review FEGLI needs, plan Social Security coordination, and make any necessary adjustments to your federal benefits. Early planning allows you to take advantage of strategies like military buyback, sick leave maximization, and high-3 salary optimization that require time to implement properly.

How far in advance should I submit my retirement application?

OPM recommends submitting your retirement application (SF-3107 for FERS) at least 60 days before your intended retirement date. However, many agencies prefer 90 days or more to ensure all paperwork is processed smoothly. Submitting early gives your HR office time to review your application, request any missing documentation, and resolve discrepancies before your effective date. Check with your specific agency for their preferred timeline.

How long does OPM take to process retirement?

OPM typically takes 2 to 6 months to fully process a federal retirement application. During this processing period, you will receive an interim annuity — approximately 85% of your estimated pension — which usually begins within 4 to 8 weeks of your retirement effective date. Once OPM completes final adjudication, your annuity will be adjusted to the correct amount and you will receive any back pay owed.

Can I change my mind after submitting my retirement application?

You can withdraw your retirement application at any time before your effective retirement date by submitting a written request to your agency HR office. However, after your effective date has passed, reinstatement to federal service requires agency approval and is not guaranteed. Factors such as your position, agency needs, and the length of time since retirement all affect whether reinstatement is possible. Consider your decision carefully before your effective date.

What documents do I need for federal retirement?

Key documents for federal retirement include: SF-3107 (Application for Immediate Retirement - FERS), TSP-70 or online withdrawal request for TSP distributions, proof of birth (birth certificate or passport), marriage certificate if electing survivor benefits, DD-214 if claiming military service credit, and notarized spouse consent form if waiving or reducing survivor annuity. Each agency may require additional forms, so consult your HR office early to compile everything you need.

What is the interim annuity?

The interim annuity is a temporary payment of approximately 85% of your estimated FERS pension that OPM pays while your full retirement application is being processed. It typically begins within 4 to 8 weeks of your retirement effective date and continues for 2 to 6 months until OPM completes final adjudication. The interim payment does not include survivor benefit reductions or any other adjustments — those are applied once your case is fully processed, and you will receive retroactive adjustments at that time.

How do I ensure I meet the 5-year FEHB rule?

To carry FEHB into retirement, you must be enrolled for 5 consecutive years immediately before retirement. Check your personnel records to verify continuous enrollment. If you have any gaps (such as periods covered under a spouse's plan), you may not be eligible. Limited exceptions exist for military service or involuntary loss of spousal coverage. If you are close to but do not meet the 5-year requirement, consider extending your retirement date to qualify, as FEHB is extremely valuable in retirement.

Should I take a lump sum TSP withdrawal or monthly payments?

This depends on your overall financial situation, other retirement income sources, investment knowledge, and estate planning goals. TSP offers four withdrawal options: lump sum, monthly installments, TSP annuity, or a combination. Consider factors like investment management capability, need for guaranteed income, tax implications, and estate planning. Many retirees benefit from keeping some money in the low-cost TSP while taking systematic withdrawals. Federal employees who separate at age 55+ can access TSP without the 10% early withdrawal penalty.

When should I claim Social Security as a federal retiree?

Federal employees have unique considerations for Social Security timing. Key factors include: the FERS supplement ends at age 62 potentially creating an income gap if you delay Social Security, your FERS pension provides some income security allowing flexibility in timing, delayed retirement credits of 8% per year from full retirement age to 70, and tax implications of combined FERS and Social Security income. With WEP/GPO now eliminated, many federal retirees benefit from claiming at full retirement age (66-67) to bridge the gap when the FERS supplement ends, but individual situations vary significantly.

Federal Retirement Checklist

Your Federal Retirement

Checklist.

Federal retirement involves complex coordination of FERS, TSP, FEHB, FEGLI, and Social Security. This comprehensive timeline ensures you don't miss critical steps or deadlines that could cost you thousands in benefits. Step one: run your numbers through our FERS retirement calculator.

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Complete Timeline

Federal Retirement Preparation Timeline

5 Years Before

Strategic Planning Phase

Foundation & Strategy

Verify Your Service Computation Date (SCD) Request your Official Personnel Folder and confirm your SCD is accurate. Errors in creditable service can reduce your FERS pension by thousands. Verify all prior federal positions, military service, and any periods of leave without pay are correctly reflected.
Confirm FEHB 5-Year Enrollment Chain Verify you have been continuously enrolled in FEHB and will maintain enrollment for 5 consecutive years before retirement. Any gaps — including periods on a spouse's plan — can disqualify you from carrying health coverage into retirement.
Investigate Military Buyback If you have military service, analyze whether buying back that time makes financial sense. The deposit is 3% of military base pay plus interest if more than 3 years have elapsed since separation. Military buyback adds creditable service to your FERS calculation and can significantly increase your pension.
Review TSP Allocation & Contributions Ensure you are at least contributing enough to capture the full 5% agency match. Review your TSP allocation across the L, C, S, I, G, and F funds to confirm your investment mix aligns with your retirement timeline. Consider whether the TSP Mutual Fund Window offers diversification benefits for your situation.
Start Tracking Retirement Expenses Begin documenting your actual monthly spending to build a realistic retirement budget. Understanding your true cost of living — including healthcare, travel, and hobbies — is essential for determining whether your combined FERS pension, TSP withdrawals, and Social Security will support your lifestyle.
Consider a Federal Benefits Specialist A financial advisor who specializes in federal employee benefits can identify optimization opportunities you might miss, from military buyback decisions to tax-efficient withdrawal strategies. Early engagement gives you time to implement multi-year strategies.

3 Years Before

Optimization Phase

Benefit Optimization

Get an Official Pension Estimate Request a formal benefits estimate from your agency HR office or use the FERS calculator to model your projected annuity. Compare your high-3 salary trajectory and confirm the numbers match your expectations. This is also the time to verify that any military buyback or deposit service is correctly reflected.
Review FEGLI Costs in Retirement FEGLI Option B and Option C premiums increase significantly at age 60+ and can become prohibitively expensive in retirement. Analyze whether your current coverage level is worth continuing and explore private term or whole life alternatives while you are still insurable. Locking in private coverage now can save tens of thousands over your retirement.
Analyze Social Security Claiming Strategy Understand how the FERS supplement bridges the gap between early retirement and age 62, and model different Social Security claiming ages (62, full retirement age, or 70). With WEP/GPO now eliminated, many federal retirees have more flexibility. Each year of delay past full retirement age adds 8% in delayed retirement credits.
Update Estate Documents Review and update your will, powers of attorney, and beneficiary designations on all accounts including TSP, FEGLI, and FERS. Coordinate your FERS survivor benefit election with your overall estate plan. If you are married, discuss survivor annuity options — this decision is irrevocable at retirement and requires spousal consent to waive.
Model Tax Scenarios for Retirement Project your retirement tax situation by combining FERS annuity, TSP withdrawals, Social Security, and any other income. Evaluate whether Roth conversions in your final working years — when you may be in a lower bracket — could reduce your lifetime tax burden. Consider the impact of Required Minimum Distributions starting at age 73.

1 Year Before

Implementation Phase

Final Preparations

Confirm Final Pension Calculation Request an updated FERS annuity estimate that reflects your current high-3 salary and total creditable service including projected sick leave. Verify the calculation accounts for any special provisions (law enforcement, firefighter, air traffic controller) that apply to your position.
Choose Your FEHB Plan for Retirement Research FEHB plans available to retirees and compare premiums, networks, and prescription coverage. If you are approaching 65, evaluate how each plan coordinates with Medicare. You can change plans during Open Season or at retirement, but you cannot re-enroll if you ever drop coverage.
Make Final FEGLI Elections Decide which FEGLI options to continue into retirement. You must make this election at retirement — Basic coverage continues automatically with a 75% reduction, but Options A, B, and C require active election. If you secured private coverage, this is when you can drop FEGLI.
Decide on Survivor Annuity Choose full (50% of pension to surviving spouse), partial (25%), or no survivor benefit. This election is irrevocable and requires notarized spousal consent if you choose less than full. The cost is 10% of your annuity for full or 5% for partial — factor this into your retirement income projections.
Set Your Retirement Date Choose a strategic retirement date. The end of a leave period (typically end of month or end of pay period) maximizes your final paycheck and leave payout. If you are close to a step increase or within-grade date, waiting a few weeks can permanently increase your high-3 average and pension.
Begin TSP Withdrawal Planning Develop your TSP withdrawal strategy — monthly installments, partial lump sum, TSP life annuity, or a combination. Consider the tax implications of each option and whether rolling part of your TSP to an IRA gives you more flexibility. Federal employees who separate at age 55+ avoid the 10% early withdrawal penalty.

Final 3 Months

Application Phase

Formal Application Process

Submit SF-3107 (60-90 Days Out) File your Application for Immediate Retirement with your agency HR office. OPM requires a minimum of 60 days notice; most agencies prefer 90 days or more. Include your marriage certificate, DD-214 (if applicable), birth certificate, and notarized spouse consent if electing less than full survivor benefit.
Elect TSP Withdrawal Method Submit your TSP withdrawal election (TSP-70 or online request). You cannot process a withdrawal until after your retirement effective date, but having your strategy decided and paperwork ready prevents delays. Remember: TSP withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income in the year received.
Prepare for the Interim Annuity Period OPM typically takes 2 to 6 months to fully process your retirement. During this time, you will receive an interim annuity of approximately 85% of your estimated pension within 4 to 8 weeks. Build a cash reserve to cover any gap between your last paycheck and the first interim payment, and budget for the reduced amount until final adjudication.
Notify Relevant Parties Inform your supervisor, HR office, and any professional contacts of your retirement date. If you have a financial advisor, schedule a transition meeting to coordinate pension, TSP, Social Security, and investment income in your first year of retirement.
Document Leave Balances Verify your annual leave balance (you will receive a lump-sum payout for unused annual leave) and sick leave balance (which converts to additional creditable service for your annuity calculation). Every 174 hours of sick leave equals approximately one additional month of service credit under FERS.

Final Month

Transition Phase

Final Steps & Coordination

Verify All Applications Confirm HR received all retirement paperwork, verify effective date, ensure no missing forms or signatures.
Coordinate Direct Deposit Set up or verify banking information for retirement annuity payments, TSP distributions, and Social Security (if applicable).
Plan Gap Coverage Understand there may be a gap between final paycheck and first retirement payment. Plan cash flow accordingly.
Healthcare Transition Understand when FEHB coverage transitions, get necessary prescriptions filled, schedule any needed medical appointments.
Update Address & Contact Info Ensure OPM has current address for retirement communications, update contact info with TSP and Social Security Administration.

Retirement Day

Celebration & Next Steps

Welcome to Retirement!

Monitor First Payments Watch for interim payments from OPM (may take 30-60 days for first full payment). TSP distributions should begin as scheduled.
Review Annual Statements Verify all retirement benefit amounts are correct on first statements. Contact appropriate agencies immediately if you find errors.
Plan Social Security Timing If eligible for FERS supplement, it should begin automatically. Plan Social Security claiming strategy for age 62+ based on your situation.
Annual Benefit Reviews Schedule annual review of retirement income, tax situation, healthcare needs, and investment performance to stay on track.
Enjoy Your Retirement! You've earned it through years of federal service. Take time to enjoy the security and benefits of your well-planned retirement.

Quick Reference

2026 Key Deadlines & Filing Windows

SF-3107 Submission File 60 to 90 days before your retirement effective date. OPM requires a minimum of 60 days; most agencies prefer 90 or more.
TSP Withdrawal Cannot be processed until after your retirement effective date. Submit your election (TSP-70 or online) once separated. Learn more about TSP withdrawal options.
FEHB Election Change plans during Open Season (November-December) or at retirement. You cannot re-enroll once you drop coverage. Review FEHB retirement rules.
FEGLI Election Made at the time of retirement. Basic coverage continues with a 75% reduction; Options A, B, and C require active election. Review FEGLI costs and options.
Survivor Annuity Elected at retirement. Choosing less than full survivor benefit requires notarized spousal consent. This decision is irrevocable once your retirement is processed.
Medicare Part B Enrollment Enroll within 8 months of losing employer group health coverage to avoid late-enrollment penalties. Most federal retirees with FEHB should still enroll in Part B at 65 to reduce out-of-pocket costs.

Related Resources

Explore Your Federal Benefits

Each component of your federal retirement package has nuances that affect your overall outcome. Dive deeper into the topics that matter most to your situation.

FERS Retirement Understand your FERS pension formula, eligibility requirements, and strategies to maximize your annuity.

FERS Calculator Estimate your FERS pension based on years of service, high-3 salary, and retirement age.

FERS Supplement Learn how the Special Retirement Supplement bridges income between early retirement and Social Security at 62.

TSP Planning Contribution strategies, fund allocation, and withdrawal options for your Thrift Savings Plan.

TSP Mutual Fund Window Explore expanded investment options available through the TSP Mutual Fund Window.

FEHB in Retirement Eligibility rules, plan selection, and Medicare coordination for federal health benefits.

FEGLI Federal life insurance options, costs in retirement, and when private alternatives make sense.

Social Security for Federal Employees Claiming strategies, coordination with FERS, and the impact of WEP/GPO repeal.

Federal Retirement Taxes Tax planning strategies for FERS annuity, TSP withdrawals, and Social Security income.

Common Questions

Retirement Planning FAQ

Essential information about federal retirement preparation, timing, and procedures for a smooth transition.

Get Personal Guidance

Ready to plan your federal retirement?

This checklist covers the essentials, but every federal employee's situation is unique. Schedule a comprehensive review to create your personalized federal retirement strategy and ensure you don't miss any opportunities.