Applying for Federal Retirement Benefits

Guidance for Federal Employees

This quick reference document provides guidance on preparing for Federal retirement and 

submitting a complete retirement application package to your Human Resources Office. 

Regardless of when you plan to retire, it is critical that you take the time now to review your 

benefits and Official Personnel Folder (OPF). Waiting until retirement to discover an error or 

missing record in your OPF can result in a delay in retiring or receiving annuity payments from 

the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). The best way to avoid this potential setback, is to 

review your personnel records early and maintain copies of key documents. 

The below table provides weblinks, tips, and recommendations as you prepare for retirement: 

Topic References and Tips

Creditable Service Records – 

Federal Employees 

Retirement System (FERS)

1. Communicate all potentially creditable service to your Human

Resources Office

2. Verify all your prior Federal service records have been obtained

and filed in your OPF

3. Work with your Human Resources Office to obtain any missing

Federal service records

4. Ensure that any service deposits or redeposits are paid in full

prior to your separation and documents are filed in your OPF

5. Maintain a copy of your “Paid in Full” letter for any military

service deposits

Federal Employees Health 

Benefits (FEHB) – 

Five (5) years of continuous 

coverage prior to retirement

1. Review your OPF to confirm all FEHB Election Forms (SF

2809s) are included to document your continuous coverage

2. Maintain copies of your validated FEHB Election Forms

3. The 5-year requirement for FEHB also includes:

o Coverage as a family member under another family

member’s FEHB enrollment

o Coverage under a Uniformed Serviced Health Benefits

Program (i.e., TRICARE, CHAMPUS, or CHAMPVA)

counts; however, you must be covered under an FEHB

plan at the time of retirement

4. Supplemental documentation is required at retirement to verify

continuous coverage under #3 above, which includes:

o Copies of the validated SF 2809s from your family

member’s servicing Human Resources Office; and/or

o Documentation showing your coverage under a

Uniformed Services Health Benefits Program (i.e.,

TRICARE, CHAMPUS, or CHAMPVA)
Federal Employees’ Group 

Life Insurance (FEGLI) – 

Five (5) years of continuous 

coverage prior to retirement

1. Review your OPF to confirm all FEGLI Election Forms (SF

2817s) are included to document your continuous coverage

2. Maintain copies of your validated FEGLI Election Forms

3. Any optional FEGLI coverage increases must be maintained for

at least 5 years prior to your chosen retirement date

4. Review your FEGLI coverage options and costs at retirement

using the OPM FEGLI Calculator

Designation of Beneficiary 

Forms – 

FERS Designation of 

Beneficiary (SF 3102)

FEGLI Designation of 

Beneficiary (SF 2823)

1. Periodically review your existing designation of beneficiary

forms to ensure they reflect your intentions

2. Complete new designation of beneficiary forms whenever you

experience a major life changing event with current addresses,

beneficiary percentages not to exceed 100%, and contingency

beneficiaries, if applicable

3. SF 2823 is only required if you will be continuing FEGLI

coverage into retirement

4. Maintain copies of validated designation of beneficiary forms

Retirement Application 

Preparation – 

Compile additional 

documentation required for 

inclusion in your retirement 

application package 

1. If you are married at retirement, a copy of your marriage

certificate (translated to English, if applicable)

2. If you are divorced and your former spouse is living, a

certified copy of the full divorce decree or court order

3. If you have an unmarried dependent child under age 22, it is

recommended to submit relevant documentation about your

dependent child, such as a copy of your child’s birth certificate

4. If you have a disabled child incapable of self-support, provide

a copy of your child’s birth certificate, a valid medical

certificate, and, if age 18 or older, a copy of the letter from the

Social Security Administration awarding benefits to your child

5. If you have active military service, a copy of all DD 214s

(Member-4 copy), military service deposit “Paid in Full” letter,

notice of award for military retired pay, and/or the military

retired pay waiver request along with the military finance office

approval notice, if applicable

Retirement Application 

Forms – 

Federal Employees 

Retirement System (FERS)

1. Application for Immediate Retirement (Federal Employees

Retirement System) – SF 3107

a. Read the instructions for completing the application to

ensure all sections are completed accurately

2. Continuation of Life Insurance Coverage as an Annuitant or

Compensationer – SF 2818

a. A completed SF 2818 is required if eligible to continue

FEGLI coverage in retirement

b. You may only elect to continue FEGLI coverage that has

been maintained for the 5 years prior to retirement

Topic References and Tips
In addition to the above information, please visit the Planning and Applying section of the OPM 

website for more guidance on preparing for retirement and the retirement application process. 

If you are covered by the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or CSRS Offset, please 

contact your servicing Human Resources Office to obtain the required retirement application and 

designation of beneficiary forms. 

While we continue to develop new retirement tools and resources, please work with your 

servicing Human Resources Office to address any questions regarding your personnel record or 

individual retirement benefits.