Eligibility

The main eligibility requirements for the common types of retirements.

Eligibility is determined by your age and number of years of creditable service. In some cases, you must have reached the Minimum Retirement Age (MRA) to receive retirement benefits. Use the following chart to figure your Minimum Retirement Age.

Eligibility Information

If you were born
Your MRA is:
Before 1948
55/div>
In 1948
55 and 2 months
In 1949
55 years, 4 months
In 1950
55 years, 6 months
In 1951
55 years, 8 months
In 1952
55 years, 10 months
1953 to 1964
56
In 1965
56 years, 2 months
In 1966
56 years, 4 months
In 1967
56 years, 6 months
In 1968
56 years, 8 months
In 1969
56 years, 10 months
In 1969
56 and 10 months
In 1969
57 years

Immediate Retirement

An immediate retirement benefit is one that starts within 30 days from the date you stop working. If you meet one of the following sets of age and service requirements, you are entitled to an immediate retirement benefit:

Eligibility Information

Age
Years of Service
62
5
60
20
MRA
30
MRA
10

If you retire at the MRA with at least 10, but less than 30 years of service, your benefit will be reduced by 5 percent a year for each year you are under 62, unless you have 20 years of service and your benefit starts when you reach age 60 or later.

Early Retirement

The early retirement benefit is available in certain involuntary separation cases and in cases of voluntary separations during a major reorganization or reduction in force. To be eligible, you must meet the following requirements:

Eligibility Information

Age
Years of Service
50
20
Any Age
25

Deferred Retirement

Refers to delayed payment of benefit until criteria are met, as follows:
If you leave Federal service before you meet the age and service requirements for an immediate retirement benefit, you may be eligible for deferred retirement benefits. To be eligible, you must have completed at least 5 years of creditable civilian service. You may receive benefits when you reach one of the following ages:

Eligibility Information

Age
Years of Service
62
5
MRA
30
MRA
10

If you retire at the MRA with at least 10, but less than 30 years of service, your benefit will be reduced by 5 percent a year for each year you are under 62, unless you have 20 years of service and your benefit starts when you reach age 60 or later.

Disability Retirement

Disability Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) Annuity Requirements:

Eligibility Information

Age
Years of Service
Any Age
18 months

Special Requirements

You must have become disabled, while employed in a position subject to FERS, because of a disease or injury, for useful and efficient service in your current position. The disability must be expected to last at least one year. Your agency must certify that it is unable to accommodate your disabling medical condition in your present position and that it has considered you for any vacant position in the same agency at the same grade/pay level, within the same commuting area, for which you are qualified for reassignment.