Agency Retirement Application Audit

Recommendations for Common Human Resources Errors

This quick reference document provides guidance on the common Human Resources (HR) errors 

reported on the monthly Agency Audit with the goal to help reduce the overall error rate. High 

error rates result in cases requiring development, which ultimately delays the final adjudication 

of retirement claims. 

The rapid shift from in-person to remote work due to the national COVID-19 pandemic has 

resulted in a notable increase in retirement package errors. We have issued several Benefits 

Administration Letters (BALs) to aid agencies in preparing retirement packages during this

sudden change in HR operations. The below table provides valuable resources and 

recommendations to help agencies reduce the frequency of these common HR errors:

Common HR Error References and Guidance

Federal Employees Health 

Benefits (FEHB) 

 Proof of 5 years of

coverage or enrollment at

first opportunity

 “Old and new” codes not

documented on forms

• Reference: BAL 14-103; Attachment 1

• Ensure all SF 2809s and online enrollment system

documents reflect the old (Part B) and new (Part C)

enrollment codes, and the election effective date

• Provide all FEHB forms and documents from an

employee’s entire Federal career

• Batch all FEHB forms and documents together in the

retirement package with the most recent effective

date on top and oldest effective date on bottom

• If sufficient FEHB documentation is not available,

submit a signed Certification Memorandum

(Attachment 2) and available FEHB documentation

SF 2818, Continuation of Life 

Insurance Coverage as an 

Annuitant or Compensationer 

 Missing

 Not signed

 Elected coverage exceeds

permitted coverage

• Reference: BAL 22-101; Appendix A; Appendix B;

Common Questions; BAL 12-102

• A signed and dated SF 2818 is required for all cases

if an employee has FEGLI coverage at retirement

• Carefully review the elected coverage on the SF 2818

to ensure it is equal to or less than the coverage the

employee is eligible to continue in retirement

• Review the SF 2818 in detail with employees to

discuss the coverage options they are eligible for and

what each election means for them in retirement

• Verify the SF 2818 accurately indicates “not

continuing coverage” versus “not enrolled”

• Submit only one SF 2818 in a retirement package
SF 2821, Agency Certification 

of Insurance Status 

Not signed by HR 

• Reference: BAL 22-101; Appendix A; Appendix B;

Common Questions; BAL 12-102

• Prepare a SF 2821 for all employees with FEGLI

coverage at retirement regardless of SF 2818 election

• Before submission, verify that the SF 2821 has been

completed in its entirety, signed by HR, and included

in the retirement application package

Marriage Certificate not 

provided 

• Reference: RI 38-86

• A marriage certificate or affidavit is required in all

cases if an employee is married at retirement

• Copies of marriage certificates are accepted

• Marriage certificates must be translated if in a

language other than English

• Ensure that married employees enter all marital

information on the retirement application

SF 3107-1, Certified Summary 

of Federal Service 

 Inaccurate service dates or

missing signature

 FICA earnings or pay rates

not included, to include the

annual Executive Order

pay adjustments or other

incremental pay changes

• Reference: BAL 22-101; Appendix A; Appendix B;

Common Questions; BAL 12-103; CSRS/FERS

Handbook, Chapter 40, Section 40A2.1-3C

• Complete Section C of the SF 3107-1 in its entirety

for all cases with nondeduction or FICA only service

• Submit copies of all Notification of Personnel

Actions (SF 50s) for the period(s) of nondeduction or

FICA only service

• Verify Section D is signed and dated by HR

• Obtain the employee’s signature in Section E

verifying the information listed in Sections A through

C on the SF 3107-1 is accurate

For additional OPM resources and reference materials, please visit the Retirement Services, 

Publications and Forms page at https://www.opm.gov/retirement-services/publications-forms/. 

Questions regarding retirement application processing or the monthly Agency Audit should be 

directed to the Agency Benefits Officer (https://apps.opm.gov/abo/). Agency Benefits Officers 

should work with their assigned OPM Liaison for specific questions or concerns. 

We are in the process of developing new retirement tools and resources to help agencies better 

serve the Federal workforce. Questions about OPM publications or this document, please contact

the Benefits Officers Development and Outreach team at benefits@opm.gov or 202-606-0788. 

Common HR Error References and Guidance