Chapter 10. Coverage 10-1

CHAPTER 10. COVERAGE

Table of Contents 

Chapter 10. Coverage...................................................................................................................... 1

Subchapter 10A. CSRS and FERS.............................................................................................. 5

Part 10A1. General Information ............................................................................................. 5

Subpart 10A1.1. Overview and Definitions ........................................................................ 5

Section 10A1.1-1. Overview ........................................................................................... 5

A. Organization of This Chapter ............................................................................. 5

B. Organization of Subchapter ................................................................................ 5

C. Statement of Authority ....................................................................................... 5

Section 10A1.1-2. Definitions ........................................................................................ 6

A. Creditable Civilian Service ................................................................................ 6

B. Conversions ........................................................................................................ 6

C. CSRS .................................................................................................................. 6

D. CSRS Interim .................................................................................................... 6

E. CSRS Offset ....................................................................................................... 6

F. Federal Employee ............................................................................................... 6

G. FERS, (including FERS-RAE and FERS FRAE) .............................................. 7

H. First Hires ........................................................................................................... 7

I. 5-Year Test ......................................................................................................... 7

J. Member .............................................................................................................. 9

K. Rehires ................................................................................................................ 9

L. OASDI Coverage ............................................................................................... 9

M. Senior Officials ................................................................................................... 9

N. Transfers ............................................................................................................. 9

O. Temporary Limited Employees .......................................................................... 9

P. Provisional Employees ....................................................................................... 9

Subpart 10A1.2 Historical Background ........................................................................... 10

Section 10A1.2-1 Background: Retirement System Coverage ................................... 10

A. Introduction ...................................................................................................... 10

B. Civilian Retirement Prior to 1984 .................................................................... 10

C. CSRS and Social Security ................................................................................ 10

D. CSRS Interim ................................................................................................... 10

E. FERS ................................................................................................................ 10

F. CSRS Offset ..................................................................................................... 11

G. Open Season ..................................................................................................... 11

H. Coverage After Open Season ........................................................................... 11

I. Summary .......................................................................................................... 11

Section 10A1.2-2 Background: Social Security Coverage ......................................... 13

A. Introduction ...................................................................................................... 13

B. Reference .......................................................................................................... 13

C. Relation to Federal Retirement ......................................................................... 13

D. Chart ................................................................................................................. 13

Subpart 10A1.3 Coverage Rules: Inclusions, Exclusions, Exceptions ............................ 14
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Section 10A1.3-1 Retirement Coverage: General Rule .............................................. 14

A. General Rule ..................................................................................................... 14

Section 10A1.3-2 CSRS: General Rules: CSRS Coverage ....................................... 15

A. General Rule ..................................................................................................... 15

Section 10A1.3-3 CSRS: Exclusions and Exceptions ................................................ 16

A. Authority .......................................................................................................... 16

B. Exclusions by Law (5 U.S.C. 8331(1)) ............................................................ 16

C. Exclusions by Regulation (5 CFR 831.201(a) .................................................. 17

D. Exceptions to Exclusions by Regulation (5 CFR 831.201(b) .......................... 18

E. Summary: CSRS Quick Reference ................................................................... 18

Section 10A1.3-4 FERS: General Coverage Rule ....................................................... 19

A. General Rule ..................................................................................................... 19

B. Automatic Coverage ......................................................................................... 19

C. Coverage by Election ....................................................................................... 19

Section 10A1.3-5 FERS: Exclusions .......................................................................... 21

A. Authority .......................................................................................................... 21

B. General Exclusions by Law (5 U.S.C. 8401(11)) ............................................. 21

C. Exclusions by Law Unless FERS Coverage is Elected (5 U.S.C. 8402(b)) ..... 22

D. Regulatory Exclusions (5 CFR 842.105) ......................................................... 22

E. FERS Quick Reference .................................................................................... 22

Section 10A1.3-6 Social Security Amendments of 1983: Inclusions, Exclusions, and 

Exceptions ..................................................................................................................... 24

A. Authority .......................................................................................................... 24

B. Coverage of New Hires .................................................................................... 24

C. Coverage of Senior Officials ............................................................................ 24

D. Coverage of Legislative Employees ................................................................. 25

E. Inclusion by History of Service ........................................................................ 25

F. DC Employees and Other Non-Federal Employment Covered by CSRS Only26

G. Social Security Amendments of 1983 Quick Reference .................................. 26

Section 10A1.3-7 Decision Factors in Determining Coverage .................................... 27

A. Introduction ...................................................................................................... 27

B. Factors .............................................................................................................. 27

C. Prior FERS Coverage ....................................................................................... 27

D. History of Service ............................................................................................. 27

E. Type of Appointment ....................................................................................... 28

F. Summary of Decision Factors .......................................................................... 29

Part 10A2. Procedures for Determining Coverage ............................................................... 30

Subpart 10A2.1. Procedure ............................................................................................... 30

Section 10A2.1-1. Procedure for First Hires ................................................................ 30

A. Definition .......................................................................................................... 30

B. General Rule ..................................................................................................... 30

C. Exceptions ........................................................................................................ 30

D. Non-Federal Service Covered by CSRS .......................................................... 30

E. Coverage Determination Table ........................................................................ 30

Section 10A2.1-2. Procedure for Transfers and Conversions to New Appointments .. 32

A. Definition .......................................................................................................... 32
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B. General Rule ..................................................................................................... 32

C. Exceptions ........................................................................................................ 32

D. Cross Servicing Arrangements ......................................................................... 32

E. Coverage ........................................................................................................... 33

Section 10A2.1-3. Procedure for Rehires ..................................................................... 35

A. Definition .......................................................................................................... 35

B. General Rules ................................................................................................... 35

C. Election Opportunity ........................................................................................ 35

D. Coverage Determination Procedure ................................................................. 35

Part 10A3. FERS RAE and FERS FRAE ............................................................................ 38

SubPart 10A3.1. Enhanced Retirement Deductions ......................................................... 38

Section 10A3.1-1. General ............................................................................................ 38

A. Overview .......................................................................................................... 38

B. Background ...................................................................................................... 38

Section 10A3.1-2: Procedures. ..................................................................................... 39

A. Coverage Determination ................................................................................... 39

B. Potentially Creditable Service .......................................................................... 39

C. Performing Active Duty Military Service on December 31, 2013, Following a 

Separation from Civilian Service ..................................................................... 40

D. Break in Service of Three Days or Less that Spans December 31, 2013 ......... 40

Part 10A4. Prior Coverage Determinations ......................................................................... 41

Subpart 10A4.1. Review of Prior Coverage Determinations ............................................ 41

Section 10A4.1-1. Performing a Review of Prior Coverage ........................................ 41

A. Purpose ............................................................................................................. 41

B. Resources Required .......................................................................................... 41

C. Procedure .......................................................................................................... 41

Section 10A4.1-2. Review: Employment History Checklist ........................................ 42

A. Worksheet ......................................................................................................... 42

B. Description of Checklist Items ......................................................................... 42

Section 10A4.1-3. Example: Review of Prior Determinations .................................... 43

A. Introduction ...................................................................................................... 43

B. Step 1: Check for FERS or FERCCA Election ............................................... 43

C. Step 2: Compile Checklist History .................................................................. 43

D. Step 3: Verify Determination ........................................................................... 43

E. Decision Factor Table ...................................................................................... 44

Subchapter 10B. Examples of Application of Coverage Rules ................................................ 49

Part 10B1. General Information ............................................................................................ 49

SubPart 10B1.1. New Hires .............................................................................................. 49

Section 10B1.1-1. Examples of Coverage Determinations for New Hires ................... 49

A. Organization of Subchapter .............................................................................. 49

B. Description ....................................................................................................... 49

Part 10B2 Transfers and Conversions................................................................................... 53

SubPart 10B2.1: Transfers and Conversions. ................................................................... 53

Section 10B2.1-1 Examples of Coverage Determinations for Transfers and 

Conversions................................................................................................................... 53

A. Description ....................................................................................................... 53
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Part 10B3 Rehires ................................................................................................................ 70

SubPart 10B3.1: Rehires. .................................................................................................. 70

A. Description ....................................................................................................... 70

Subchapter 10C Job Aids ................................................................................................... 103

Subpart 10C.1 Job Aids ................................................................................................. 103

Section 10C1.101 Copies of Job Aids ........................................................................ 103

A. Description ..................................................................................................... 103

B. Job Aids .......................................................................................................... 103

Section 10C1.1-2: Where to Find Listing of Retirement Codes ................................ 110

A. Location of Retirement Codes List ................................................................ 110
Chapter 10. Coverage 10-5

Subchapter 10A. CSRS and FERS

Part 10A1. General Information 

Subpart 10A1.1. Overview and Definitions

Section 10A1.1-1. Overview

A. Organization of This Chapter 

This Chapter contains the rules for determining whether an employee is covered by the Federal 

Employees Retirement System (FERS) or the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). This 

Chapter also contains rules to determine whether an employee with CSRS coverage has regular 

CSRS coverage or CSRS Offset coverage.

Subchapter A contains definitions, historical background information, rules and procedures for 

determining coverage, and information on reviewing prior coverage determinations. 

Subchapter B contains examples of application of the coverage rules.

Subchapter C contains job aids for use in making coverage decisions. 

B. Organization of Subchapter

The CSRS Subchapter has three parts.

Part Name of Part Page

10A1 Overview and Definitions 10-7 

10A2 Procedures for Determining Coverage 10-31 

10A3 Review of Prior Coverage Determinations 10-39 

C. Statement of Authority

This subchapter and its contents are based on the laws and regulations cited below.

• United States Code: chapter 83 and chapter 84 of title 5, U.S. Code 

• Code of Federal Regulations: 5 CFR Parts 831, 841, 842, and 846 
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Section 10A1.1-2. Definitions

A. Creditable Civilian Service

Creditable civilian service for making a coverage decision is any service that would be 

creditable under CSRS, even if this service was not covered by CSRS deductions or if deductions 

have been refunded. For the purpose of the 5-year test, it includes all potentially creditable service, 

such as service performed under another retirement system, which would be creditable if any 

necessary deposit were made. See Section 10A1.3-7D for more information. 

B. Conversions 

Conversions occur when employees move from one appointment in an agency to another 

appointment in the same agency with no break in service or with a break in service of 3 days or less.

C. CSRS

1. CSRS is the Civil Service Retirement System established in subchapter III of chapter 83 of 

title 5, U.S. Code. The law that created CSRS was enacted in 1920. 

2. Individuals covered under CSRS pay CSRS employee deductions. Unless they are CSRS 

Offset, they are excluded from OASDI taxes of Social Security. They may contribute up to 

the Internal Revenue Service elective deferral limit each year to the Thrift Savings Plan 

(TSP), but, but CSRS employees who contribute do not receive any government contribution. 

D. CSRS Interim

1. CSRS Interim is a version of CSRS established pending creation of a new retirement system 

for employees first hired after December 31, 1983, and certain rehires. 

2. Employees covered by CSRS Interim provisions paid OASDI taxes and a reduced CSRS 

contribution. CSRS retirement and survivor benefits are offset by the value of the interim 

service in Social Security benefits.

3. When FERS became effective on 01-01-1987, employees with CSRS Interim coverage 

acquired either FERS or CSRS Offset coverage.

E. CSRS Offset

1. CSRS Offset is a version of CSRS established for employees who become subject to OASDI 

taxes and have completed at least 5 years of civilian service creditable under CSRS.

2. Individuals covered under CSRS Offset pay OASDI taxes and a reduced CSRS contribution. 

CSRS retirement and survivor benefits are offset by the value of the offset service in their 

Social Security benefits.

F. Federal Employee

1. The basic definition of the term "Federal employee" is contained in 5 U.S.C. 2105. It states 

that an employee is a person who is: 

a. appointed in the civil service by one of the following acting in an official capacity --

i. the President;

ii. Member or Members of Congress, or the Congress;
Chapter 10. Coverage 10-7

iii. a member of a uniformed service;

iv. an individual who is an employee under this definition; 

v. the head of a Government controlled corporation; or 

vi. an adjutant general designated by the Secretary concerned under section 709(c) 

of title 32;

b. engaged in the performance of a Federal function under authority of law or an Executive 

act; and

c. subject to the supervision of an individual named above while engaged in the performance 

of the duties of his or her position. 

2. For retirement purposes, both CSRS and FERS law modify this definition to exclude some 

groups of employees from retirement coverage under CSRS or FERS. For CSRS, 

"employee" is further defined in 5 U.S.C. 8331(1). For FERS, "employee" is further defined 

in 5 U.S.C 8401(11). 

3. See Subpart 10A1.3 "Coverage Rules: Inclusions, Exclusions, and Exceptions" for the lists 

of statutorily excluded and included employees.

G. FERS, (including FERS-RAE and FERS FRAE)

1. FERS is the Federal Employees Retirement System established by Public Law 99-335 in 

chapter 84 of title 5, U.S. Code, and effective January 1, 1987. FERS-RAE and FERS-FRAE, 

are essentially FERS, albeit with higher contribution rates.

2. Individuals covered under FERS pay Social Security taxes and FERS basic benefit 

deductions. They also receive an automatic 1 percent government contribution to a Thrift 

Savings Plan account, and can contribute up to the maximum IRS elective deferral limit each 

year and can receive up to 4 percent matching government contributions. 

H. First Hires

First hires are newly appointed employees who have no prior Federal civilian service.

I. 5-Year Test

1. Purpose. The 5-year test is one of the tests to be applied before determining that an 

employee being rehired, transferred, or converted is automatically subject to FERS. It applies 

to all retirement coverage determinations made on or after January 1, 1987, where the 

employee is subject to Social Security. If an employee satisfies the 5-year test, he or she is 

not automatically covered by FERS, even though he or she may be excluded from CSRS 

coverage.

2. How to apply. The 5-year test is met if the employee had 5 years of creditable civilian 

service as of December 31, 1986. (See definition of "creditable civilian service.") The 5-year 

test is also met if: 

a. The employee has had a break in service of more than 3 days ending after 1986,

b. The employee had any amount of past coverage under the CSRS or Foreign Service 

Retirement System (FSRS), or

c. the benefit structure for employees of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve 

System appointed before January 1, 1984, that is a component of the Retirement Plan for 
10-8 Chapter 10. Coverage

Employees of the Federal Reserve System, established under section 10 of the Federal 

Reserve Act, and

d. Also had 5 years of creditable civilian service as of the break in service. The 5 year test is 

not applicable to employees who have previously been covered by FERS.

3. EXAMLES: The following statements are examples of how the 5-year test works. 

Statements 3a and 3b concern exclusions from automatic FERS coverage on January 1, 1987. 

Statements 3c, 3d, and 3e concern exclusions from automatic coverage upon rehire, transfer, 

and conversion actions occurring on or after January 1, 1987. Subchapter 10B contains 

additional examples of how the coverage rules work.

a. Employees who were covered by CSRS Interim and who, as of December 31, 1986, had 5 

or more years of creditable civilian service were excluded from automatic FERS coverage 

when FERS became effective on January 1, 1987. 

b. Employees who, as of December 31, 1986, had 5 or more years of creditable civilian 

service, and who held appointments that are excluded from CSRS coverage, but not 

FERS (for example, term appointments, temporary appointments pending establishment 

of registers (TAPER), and excepted appointments designated as indefinite), were 

excluded from automatic coverage under FERS on January 1, 1987. 

c. Rehires on or after January 1, 1987, who did not have 5 years of creditable civilian service 

as of December 31, 1986, but who had 5 or more years of creditable civilian service on 

the date of separation from last Federal employment and had some prior coverage 

under CSRS, the FSRS, or the Federal Reserve system, are excluded from automatic 

FERS coverage.

d. Employees who transfer or convert to an appointment that is not excluded from either

CSRS or FERS and who had 5 or more years of creditable civilian service as of 

December 31, 1986, are excluded from automatic FERS coverage whether there has been 

a break in service or not.

4. Old 5-year test. The decision of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit 

in the case of Conner v. OPM invalidated OPM's regulation that interpreted the 5-year test for 

employees who returned to work after 1986 following a break in service. 

a. Prior to Conner, if the employee had a break in service of more than 3 days ending after 

1986, the employee met the 5-year test only if he had past coverage under the CSRS or 

Foreign Service Retirement System (FSRS) and also had 5 years of creditable civilian 

service as of the break. It did not matter how much service the employee had as of 

December 31, 1986. 

b. As a result of Conner, an employee who returns to work after a break in service can meet 

the 5 year test if he or she had 5 years of creditable civilian service as of December 31, 

1986, even if he was never covered under the CSRS or FSRS. The new 5-year test is 

defined in 2, above and is retroactive to January 1, 1987. 

c. Any employee who was automatically placed in FERS and now, because of the Conner 

decision, the retirement coverage is wrong falls under the Deemed FERS Election 

regulations or the Federal Erroneous Retirement Coverage Correction Act (FERCCA). 

Under those regulations, unless the employee elects in writing to have the coverage 

corrected retroactively, he or she will be deemed to have elected FERS. For more 

information on the "deemed FERS" procedures, see Part 11A6 of the Handbook.
Chapter 10. Coverage 10-9

J. Member

For the purposes of Federal retirement coverage, a Member means a Member of Congress as 

defined by sections 8331(2) and 8401(20) of title 5, U.S. Code. 

K. Rehires

Rehires are employees who have previous Federal civilian service and are reemployed by the 

Federal government following a break in service of more than 3 days 

L. OASDI Coverage 

OASDI coverage means the employee is subject to Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance 

(OASDI) taxes required by the Internal Revenue Code. These taxes are also referred to as FICA 

taxes (Federal Insurance Contributions Act). They form the basis for Social Security benefits 

administered by the Social Security Administration. Whether subject to OASDI taxes or not, all 

Federal employees (other than nonresident aliens) are subject to Health Insurance (HI) taxes, that is, 

Medicare. For the purpose of this handbook, the terms Social Security, OASDI, and FICA are used 

interchangeably.

M. Senior Officials

Senior Officials are high level officials, such as noncareer members of the Senior Executive 

Service and certain Presidential appointees with Senate confirmation, who are subject to mandatory 

Social Security OASDI coverage. The senior officials who are subject to mandatory Social Security 

coverage are listed in section 10A1.3-6.

N. Transfers

Transfers occur when employees move from one Federal agency to another with no break in 

service or a break in service of 3 days or less.

O. Temporary Limited Employees

Temporary limited employees are employees hired under a temporary limited appointment not 

to exceed 1 year. Unless the employee otherwise meets the requirements for coverage, the 

appointment is not covered by CSRS or FERS. 

P. Provisional Employees

Provisional employees are hired under temporary appointments to positions that are known to be 

permanent, that are specifically intended to lead to conversion to permanent appointments and are 

needed to fulfill an eligibility requirement for the conversion. Unlike temporary employees, 

provisional employees are treated as non-temporary employees for purposes of retirement coverage. 

These employees must meet all requirements set out in 5 CFR 316.403 to be considered provisional 

employees.
10-10 Chapter 10. Coverage

Subpart 10A1.2 Historical Background 

Section 10A1.2-1 Background: Retirement System Coverage 

A. Introduction

This section contains brief historical background information concerning CSRS and FERS. 

B. Civilian Retirement Prior to 1984 

1. Prior to 1984, the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) was the civilian retirement system 

for most Federal employees. The type of appointment generally determined if an employee 

had coverage under CSRS. CSRS coverage is documented on SF 50 with codes 1 and 6. 

(See subchapter 10C for where to find an explanation of SF 50 codes.) 

2. Federal employees who were not covered under CSRS had:

a. Coverage under one of the other retirement systems established for Federal employees (for 

example, Foreign Service Retirement System (FSRS));

b. Coverage under Social Security; or 

c. No coverage.

3. In addition to CSRS being the major retirement system for Federal employees, certain groups 

of non-Federal employees were given CSRS coverage, or allowed to retain it; for example, 

employees of the District of Columbia Government, employees of the Alaska Railroad upon 

its transfer to the State of Alaska, etc.

C. CSRS and Social Security

1. Until 1984, coverage under CSRS exempted employees from OASDI taxes. Thus, prior to 

1984, if an individual was subject to CSRS, he or she was not covered under OASDI.

2. The Social Security Amendments of 1983 (Public Law 98-21) provided that certain Federal 

employees, principally those first hired after December 31, 1983, be covered by OASDI. 

D. CSRS Interim

Pending the establishment of a new retirement system, Public Law 98-168 required CSRS 

employees subject to the 1983 amendments to begin making reduced contributions (1.3 percent of 

basic pay for most employees) to CSRS in conjunction with Social Security taxes. Individuals 

covered under CSRS and Social Security during these interim years (January 1, 1984, through 

December 31, 1986) are called CSRS Interim employees. Their retirement coverage is documented 

on SF 50 with codes C or E. 

E. FERS

1. Public Law 99-335 provided a new retirement system for Federal employees called the 

Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).

2. When FERS became effective on January 1, 1987, CSRS Interim employees with less than 5 

years of creditable civilian service on December 31, 1986, were automatically converted to 

FERS. Generally, employees who were first hired after December 31, 1983, who are subject 

to OASDI taxes are subject to FERS, unless the appointment is temporary or intermittent. 

(See Section 10A1.3-5.) 
Chapter 10. Coverage 10-11

a. FERS coverage is documented on SF 50 with codes K, L, M, N or O.

b. FERS_RAE coverage is documented with 2 character codes that correspond to the 

regular FERS codes with a second character, R. For example: instead of K, the FERS 

RAE code would be KR, etc. 

c. FERS FRAE codes also correspond to the traditional FERS codes with the second 

character being F, for example KF for FERS FRAE.

3. With the establishment of FERS, the CSRS became a closed system. Therefore, employees 

who were first hired on or after January 1, 1987, cannot have full CSRS coverage. 

Depending on the employee's appointment and any prior non-Federal service that is 

creditable under CSRS, the employee may be covered by FERS, only Social Security, or 

CSRS Offset; or have no coverage at all.

NOTE: Certain employees of non-Federal entities continued to be eligible for CSRS 

coverage if hired before October 1, 1988. See Chapter 12, Special Coverage Rules, 

for special rules applicable to these individuals.)

F. CSRS Offset

1. The FERS law also created CSRS Offset as a continuation of CSRS Interim provisions for 

employees with CSRS Interim coverage who were not automatically covered by FERS. 

CSRS Offset employees also have CSRS deductions and benefits offset by Social Security.

2. Generally, CSRS Offset employees are employees who had a break in CSRS covered service 

of more than 1 year and at least 5 years of creditable civilian service by the end of 1986. 

Their retirement coverage is documented on SF 50 with codes C, Q or E also. 

G. Open Season

Employees who were eligible to elect FERS coverage were given the opportunity to join the new 

plan during an open season from July 1, 1987, through December 31, 1987 

H. Coverage After Open Season

Individuals first hired after December 31, 1983, who meet basic eligibility requirements are 

automatically covered by FERS, (coverage errors that were eligible for relief under FERCCA are a 

notable exception). CSRS and CSRS Offset employees who transfer from one agency to another 

agency, change appointments, or are rehired with or without a break in service, generally do not have 

a change in coverage unless they were eligible for relief under FERCCA or elected FERS during the 

1998 Open season. Generally, rehires who have a break of more than 3 days and who are not 

automatically covered by FERS may elect to transfer to FERS within 6 months of being rehired 

unless the appointment is temporary or intermittent. (See Section 10A1.3-5.) 

I. Summary

To summarize, determining coverage now depends on the following factors: 

1. Date of employee's first appointment

2. Type of prior retirement coverage

3. Amount and dates of service and of any breaks in service

4. Type of appointment

5. FERS election opportunities 
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6. Social Security coverage
Chapter 10. Coverage 10-13

Section 10A1.2-2 Background: Social Security Coverage 

A. Introduction

This section briefly summarizes the impact of OASDI coverage on retirement coverage.

B. Reference

See Chapter 9 of the Social Security Handbook for a detailed discussion of the special Social 

Security coverage provisions for Federal employees

C. Relation to Federal Retirement

Until 1983, most Federal employees were excluded from Social Security taxes because they were 

covered by the CSRS. However, the following changes in the law changed this relationship as 

shown below. 

D. Chart

LAW EFFECTIVE DATE IMPACT

Tax Equity and Fiscal 

Responsibility Act (Section 278 

Public Law 97-248)

1/1/83 Required most Federal 

employees to pay HI 

(Medicare) tax, even if not 

subject to OASDI.

Social Security Amendments of 

1983 (Section 101 of Public 

Law 98-21)

1/1/84 Required all newly hired 

Federal employees, most 

employees rehired after a 

break in service of more than 

365 days, the President, Vice 

President, Members of 

Congress, Federal judges, and 

certain other senior Federal 

officials to pay OASDI taxes.

Social Security Amendments of 

1983 (as amended by Public 

Law 98-369, enacted July 18, 

1984)

1/1/84 Required Federal employees 

who were first hired before

1984 but who did not have an 

appointment with retirement 

coverage until after December 

1983, to pay OASDI taxes.

Federal Employees' 

Retirement System Act (Public 

Law 99-335)

1/1/87 Allowed most CSRS employees 

the opportunity to choose to 

have OASDI coverage by 

electing to be covered under 

FERS during the July-December 

1987 open season.
10-14 Chapter 10. Coverage

Subpart 10A1.3 Coverage Rules: Inclusions, Exclusions, Exceptions 

Section 10A1.3-1 Retirement Coverage: General Rule 

A. General Rule

All Federal employees are covered by either the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or the 

Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), unless they are specifically excluded by law or 

regulations
Chapter 10. Coverage 10-15

Section 10A1.3-2 CSRS: General Rules: CSRS Coverage 

A. General Rule

The following guidelines summarize which Federal employees are generally subject to CSRS 

coverage. Section 10A1.3-3 lists exclusions from CSRS coverage that are in the law and OPM 

regulations. If one of the exclusions in section 10A1.3-3 applies, do not use the guidelines that 

follow. 

1. First Hires: First hires after December 31, 1983, are automatically subject to FERS and are 

excluded from CSRS.

Exception: Some first hires who have creditable non-Federal employment may not be 

automatically subject to FERS. (Employment with the District of Columbia Government 

before October 1987 is an example of creditable non-Federal service.)

2. CSRS Rehires: 

a. CSRS rehires are employees who had CSRS coverage before. An employee who was 

under only CSRS, without OASDI coverage, remains under only CSRS if he or she 

returns to a CSRS-covered position within 365 days of the separation from a CSRS 

position. The exceptions are: (1) individuals who had CSRS coverage in non-Federal 

employment (see section 10A1.3-6E); and (2) individuals who are entering certain senior 

official positions (see section 10A1.3-6).

b. A rehire on or after January 1, 1984, has CSRS Interim or Offset coverage if he or she 

has had a break in CSRS coverage of more than 365 days. For actions on or after January 

1, 1987, the employee must also meet the 5-year test (see section 10A1.1-2I).

3. Transfers and Conversions: 

a. Persons who had CSRS coverage (regular or Offset) in the last appointment retain the 

CSRS coverage they had in the new appointment, unless the new position is excluded by 

law from CSRS coverage.

b. If the new appointment is as a senior official, see Chapter 101, Special Retirement 

Provisions for Senior Officials. 

c. If a change which occurs on or after January 1, 1987, is from an appointment that was 

excluded from CSRS coverage to one that is not, the employee must meet the 5-year test 

(see section 10A1.1-2I).

NOTE 1: Specific provisions of law allow employees who move to international 

organizations, and State or local governments on Intergovernmental Personnel Act 

assignments to retain CSRS coverage under special procedures. See Chapter 12, 

Special Coverage Rules. 

NOTE 2: Specific provisions of law allow certain categories of people who are not Federal 

employees to have CSRS coverage. Examples are individuals first employed by 

the government of the District of Columbia before October 1, 1987, individuals 

employed by Gallaudet University, individuals employed by the Alaska Railroad 

upon its transfer to the State of Alaska, etc. For further information, see Chapter 

12, Special Coverage Rules.
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Section 10A1.3-3 CSRS: Exclusions and Exceptions 

A. Authority

Certain individuals are excluded from the definition of employee under CSRS or CSRS Offset by 

law or regulation. Exclusions by law are listed in subchapter III of chapter 83 of title 5, U.S. Code. 

Exclusions by regulation are listed in 5 CFR 831.201. 

B. Exclusions by Law (5 U.S.C. 8331(1)) 

The following are excluded from CSRS coverage by law.

EXECUTIVE BRANCH:

1. The President.

2. Employees subject to another Government retirement system (for example, Foreign Service 

Retirement System (FSRS), Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), Tennessee 

Valley Authority (TVA)).

3. Construction or other temporary, part-time, or intermittent TVA employees.

4. Interns, student nurses, and other student employees in government hospitals. 

5. The following employment is also excluded by law from CSRS coverage: the employment of 

a teacher in dependents' schools of the Department of Defense in overseas areas in the recess 

period between two school years in a position other than the teaching position in which he or 

she served immediately before the recess period.

JUDICIAL BRANCH:

6. Judges of the U.S. appointed for life.

7. Certain temporary employees of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, other than the 

Supreme Court. 

CERTAIN FOREIGN NATIONAL EMPLOYEES:

8. Foreign nationals at Foreign Service posts abroad, appointed after December 31, 1987. 

EMPLOYEES OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA:

9. Employees of the DC Government first hired after September 30, 1987, except: 

a. employees of St. Elizabeths Hospital who transferred to the DC Government on October 

1, 1987; 

b. nonjudicial employees of the DC Courts on and after October 1, 1997; 

c. the DC Department of Corrections Trustee and an employee of the Trustee; 

d. the DC Pretrial Services, Defense Services, Parole, Adult Probation and Offender 

Supervision Trustee and an employee of the Trustee; and

e. employees of the DC Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Authority, 

commonly known as the DC Control Board, who elect to be deemed Federal employees. 

See Chapter 12, Special Coverage Rules, for specific information on the conditions that 

must be met for these employees to have CSRS coverage.

CERTAIN LEGISLATIVE BRANCH EMPLOYEES:
Chapter 10. Coverage 10-17

10. An employee of the Architect of the Capitol, the Library of Congress, or the Botanic Garden 

who is excluded under the authority of the Architect of the Capitol, the Librarian of Congress, 

or the Director or Acting Director of the Botanic Garden.

NONEMPLOYEES:

11. Special provisions of law outside subchapter III of chapter 83 of the United States Code 

provided CSRS coverage to employees of entities other than Federal agencies, including the 

Appalachian Regional Commission, the Legal Services Corporation, and the American 

Institute in Taiwan. Under Public Law 100-238, effective October 1, 1988, those provisions 

no longer provide coverage to an individual who becomes employed by one of those entities. 

Employees already covered by CSRS as of October 1, 1988, continue to be subject to CSRS 

coverage (or CSRS Offset coverage if also subject to OASDI tax). The continuity of 

coverage rule (see section 10A1.3-3D) does not apply to an employee under CSRS who 

moves to such an entity on and after October 1, 1988. See Chapter 12, Special Coverage 

Rules, for further information and a list of entities whose non-Federal employees gained or, 

like the State Justice Institute, regained coverage through subsequent legislation

C. Exclusions by Regulation (5 CFR 831.201(a) 

Unless covered by an exception, the following employees in the executive branch of the Federal 

government are excluded from coverage by OPM regulation. Authority citations for the 

appointment or identifying information from an SF 50 are also shown where useful to further 

identify the exclusion. 

1. Temporary Appointment. Employees serving under appointments limited to 1 year or less. 

The length of the appointment is the governing factor. A series of appointments and 

extensions each limited to 1 year or less does not confer coverage. The exclusion does not 

apply to employees in provisional appointments (nature of action 190 or 590), or to 

annuitants appointed by the President to fill unexpired terms of office on or after June 1, 

1976. 

2. Intermittent Tour of Duty. Intermittent employees, that is, non-full-time employees 

without a regularly scheduled tour of duty. (Work schedule code is I or J.)

3. TAPER. Employees serving under temporary appointments pending establishment of a 

register (temporary appointment-PER), or pending final determination of eligibility for 

permanent appointment (5 CFR Part 316). (Natures of action are 112 and 512.) 

4. Indefinite Appointment. Employees serving under nonpermanent appointments, designated 

as indefinite, made after January 23, 1955, the effective date of the repeal of Executive Order 

10180. 

5. Term Appointment. Employees serving under term appointments (5 CFR Part 316). 

(Natures of action are 108 and 508.)

6. United States citizens given overseas limited appointments (5 CFR Part 8). (Natures of 

action are 120, 122, 520, and 522.) 

7. Employees serving under limited term, limited emergency, and noncareer (designated as 

indefinite) appointments in the Senior Executive Service (5 U.S.C. 3394). (Natures of action 

are 146, 147, 148, 149, 546, 548, and 549 when SF 50 carries remark "appointment is 

indefinite.") 

8. Employees whose salary, pay, or compensation on an annual basis is $12 a year or less. This 

applies to employees who are serving without pay or at nominal rates. 

9. Beneficiary or patient employees in Government hospitals or homes. This refers to 

beneficiary and patient employees of the United States Soldiers' and Airmen's Home, the 

Department of Veterans' Affairs, and other United States facilities. It does not apply to 
10-18 Chapter 10. Coverage

trainees, nurses, interns, or others who are regularly employed and may reside on the 

premises.

10. Employees paid on a piecework basis except those whose work schedule provides for regular 

or full-time service.

11. Intermittent alien employees engaged in work outside the continental limits of the United 

States.

12. Officers in charge, clerks in fourth-class post offices, substitute rural carriers, and special 

delivery messengers at second, third, and fourth-class post offices.

13. Consular agents appointed under authority of section 551 of the Foreign Service Act of 1946 

(22 U.S.C. 951). 

14. Employees serving under emergency-indefinite appointments not exceeding 5 years. 

15. Employees serving under nonpermanent appointments made between December 1, 1950, and 

January 24, 1955, pursuant to section 1 of Executive Order 10180. 

16. Temporary employees of the Census Bureau employed under temporary limited appointments 

exceeding 1 year.

17. Health care employees of the National Health Service Corps serving under appointments 

limited to 4 years or less in health manpower shortage areas.

D. Exceptions to Exclusions by Regulation (5 CFR 831.201(b) 

1. There are no exceptions to the exclusions by law. There are, however, certain exceptions to 

the executive branch exclusions by regulation. 

2. An employee automatically acquires or retains retirement coverage under any of the 

following conditions: 

a. Transfers and Conversions: When employment in an excluded category under 

paragraph C follows employment subject to CSRS without a break in service, or after a 

separation from the service of 3 days or less, (except for an alien employee whose duty 

station is located in a foreign country) the employee retains coverage. This is called the 

"continuity of coverage" rule.

b. Changes in Status: 

i. When the employee is granted competitive civil service status under legislation, 

Executive Order, or the civil service rules and regulations, while serving in a position 

in the competitive service or if the employee receives a career or career-conditional 

appointment, the exclusions in paragraph C of this section do not apply. 

ii. When the employee previously had competitive civil service status and this status is 

restored by action of reinstatement, the employee retains coverage.

c. Canal Zone Merit Status: When the employee is granted Canal Zone merit status, the 

employee retains coverage. 

NOTE: This coverage could not apply before June 11, 1960, the effective date of this 

exception.

E. Summary: CSRS Quick Reference

For quick reference, employees with the following common categories of appointments or work 

schedules are generally excluded from CSRS coverage:

1. Temporary limited appointments of 1 year or less 

2. Term appointments 

3. Temporary appointments pending establishment of registers (TAPER) 

4. Excepted appointments designated as indefinite 

5. Intermittent work schedules (unless the employee has a career or career-conditional 

appointment)
Chapter 10. Coverage 10-19

Section 10A1.3-4 FERS: General Coverage Rule 

A. General Rule

Coverage under FERS requires that an individual:

1. Be a Federal employee;

2. Be covered by OASDI;

3. Have an appointment that is not temporary (other than a provisional appointment) or 

intermittent; and

4. Be paid based on units of time (that is, not on a piecework basis)

B. Automatic Coverage 

1. CSRS Interim employees who did not meet the 5-year test (see Section 10A1.1-2I) on 

December 31, 1986, became automatically covered by FERS on January 1, 1987. No 

employees who were under only CSRS (with CSRS deductions of 7, 7.5, or 8 percent of pay) 

were automatically converted to FERS, even though they may have had less than 5 years of 

service on December 31, 1986. Certain senior officials were also excluded from automatic 

coverage even though they had less than 5 years of service. (See section 10A1.3-5C.) 

2. Most automatic coverage changes were actually made effective at the beginning of the first 

pay period in 1987. 

3. After December 31, 1986, employees who are rehired or converted are automatically covered 

by FERS unless they meet the 5-year test (see section 10A1.1-2I) or are excluded from 

OASDI coverage.

4. An employee who has once been covered under FERS cannot have CSRS (including CSRS 

Offset) coverage in future Federal appointments.

C. Coverage by Election 

Employees in appointments not excluded from FERS coverage by law or regulation have been 

permitted to elect FERS coverage (including OASDI coverage):

1. During the July 1, to December 31, 1987, open season; 

2. During the July 1, 1998, through December 31, 1998, open season: 

3. Within 6 months following being rehired after a break in service of more than 3 days;

4. Within 6 months of transferring to or being converted to an appointment covered by CSRS, 

from an appointment not covered by CSRS; 

5. Within 6 months of transferring to or being converted to an appointment that is excluded 

from CSRS, but not FERS, coverage; or 

6. Within 6 months of transferring to or being converted to a senior official position if the 

official was covered by CSRS only (without FICA). See Chapter 101, Special Retirement 

Provisions for Senior Officials, of this Handbook. 

NOTE: An employee has only one opportunity to transfer to FERS during any period of 

continuous employment. 

For example, an individual with prior Federal service has a temporary appointment. 

If that temporary appointment is converted to a term appointment NTE 3 years, he 

has 6 months from the date of the term appointment to elect to transfer to FERS. If 

he makes no election, he will only have Social Security coverage. If the term 
10-20 Chapter 10. Coverage

appointment is later converted to a career appointment, he will not have another 

opportunity to transfer to FERS because there has been no break in employment. 

He will have CSRS or CSRS Offset coverage depending on his service history.

EXCEPTION: Full CSRS employees who become senior officials have an opportunity to transfer 

to FERS even if they had an earlier opportunity.
Chapter 10. Coverage 10-21

Section 10A1.3-5 FERS: Exclusions 

A. Authority

Employees who meet the definition of employee in 5 U.S.C. 8401(11) and who are covered under 

OASDI are covered under FERS unless specifically excluded from FERS by law or regulation.

B. General Exclusions by Law (5 U.S.C. 8401(11)) 

The following individuals are excluded by law from the definition of employee. 

1. Individuals ineligible for OASDI coverage.

2. A justice or judge of the United States appointed for life.

3. Certain temporary employees of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts. 

4. A construction employee or other temporary, part-time, or intermittent employee of the 

Tennessee Valley Authority.

5. Interns, student nurses, and other student employees in government hospitals. 

6. An individual subject to another retirement system for government employees.

7. Certain employees of the Architect of the Capitol, Library of Congress, Botanic Garden, the 

Office of Technology Assessment, or certain Congressional employees may be excluded 

under the authority of the Architect of the Capitol, the Librarian of Congress, the Director or 

Acting Director of the Botanic Garden, the Director of the Office of Technology Assessment, 

or the Clerk of the House of Representatives, or Secretary of the Senate, respectively.

8. The following employment is also excluded by law from FERS coverage: the employment of 

a teacher in dependents schools of the DOD in overseas areas in the recess period between 

two school years in a position other than the teaching position in which he or she served 

immediately before the recess period.

NOTE 1: Employees of the District of Columbia Government are not Federal employees, 

so they are not eligible for FERS coverage.

EXCEPTION: Special provisions of law allow the following categories of employees to 

be treated as Federal employees under certain conditions:

a. non-judicial employees of the DC Courts; 

b. the DC Department of Corrections Trustee and an employee of the 

Trustee;

c. the DC Pretrial Services, Defense Services, Parole, Adult Probation and 

Offender Supervision Trustee and an employee of the Trustee; and 

d. employees of the District of Columbia Financial Responsibility and 

Management Assistance Authority, commonly known as the DC Control 

Board. 

See Chapter 12, Special Coverage Rules, for more information. 

NOTE 2: Non-resident foreign nationals are also ineligible for FERS because they are 

excluded from Social Security. Non-resident foreign nationals are generally 

covered by their own nation's Social Security system.

NOTE 3: Specific provisions of law allow employees who move to international 

organizations, employee organizations, and State or local governments on 

Intergovernmental Personnel Act assignments to retain FERS coverage under 

special procedures if the employee continues Social Security coverage. See 
10-22 Chapter 10. Coverage

Chapter 12, Special Coverage Rules. 

NOTE 4: Effective October 1, 1988, Public Law 100-690 gave employees of the State 

Justice Institute FERS coverage even though they are not Federal employees for 

most purposes. 

C. Exclusions by Law Unless FERS Coverage is Elected (5 U.S.C. 8402(b)) 

In establishing FERS, the Congress was very explicit in excluding employees from automatic

FERS coverage if they were covered by only CSRS, or if they were potentially vested under the 

CSRS (that is, for a future retirement benefit) by having at least 5 years of creditable civilian service. 

The following categories of employees may only acquire FERS coverage by electing it.

1. Employees who are covered under CSRS only. 

2. Senior officials eligible for special election opportunities during the July 1 to December 31, 

1987, open season. Apply general rules to individuals in senior official positions who were 

not eligible for the special election opportunities. (See Chapter 101.)

3. Employees who meet the 5-year test in section 10A1.1-2I.

D. Regulatory Exclusions (5 CFR 842.105)

1. The following categories of employees in or under an executive agency, the United States 

Postal Service, or the Postal Rate Commission are excluded from FERS by OPM regulations: 

a. Employees serving under appointments (other than provisional appointments) limited to 1 

year or less. The kind of appointment is the governing factor. A series of appointments 

and extensions each limited to 1 year or less does not confer coverage. 

b. Intermittent employees serving under other than career or career-conditional 

appointments. 

EXCEPTION: When an employee who is covered by FERS moves to a position listed as one 

of the above regulatory exclusions without a break in service or after a separation of 3 

days or less, his or her FERS coverage continues. This exception does not apply to a 

person who moves into a position excluded by law (listed in paragraph B of this 

section). When a FERS annuitant is reemployed, he or she is also covered by FERS 

unless employed on an intermittent basis 

E. FERS Quick Reference

1. Federal employees first hired after December 31, 1983, who are subject to OASDI taxes are 

covered under FERS, unless excluded by specific law or regulation. 

2. For quick reference, the following are excluded from FERS coverage:

a. temporary employees serving under appointments (other than provisional appointments) 

of 1 year or less;

b. employees with intermittent work schedules whose appointments are other than career or 

career-conditional; 

c. employees who are ineligible for OASDI coverage (for example, nonresident foreign 

nationals); 

d. employees under another retirement system for Federal employees (for example, CSRS 

only); and 

e. employees under CSRS Interim or Offset who meet the 5-year test.

3. In addition, most CSRS and CSRS Offset employees may elect to transfer to FERS upon 

reemployment after a break in service of more than 3 days.

4. Employees with the following appointments, which are excluded from CSRS coverage, are 

not excluded from FERS term appointments, temporary appointments-PER (TAPER), and 
Chapter 10. Coverage 10-23

excepted appointments designated as indefinite.

5. Once an employee has FERS coverage, he or she is covered by FERS in all future positions 

unless the position or appointment is excluded from coverage by law or regulation.
10-24 Chapter 10. Coverage

Section 10A1.3-6 Social Security Amendments of 1983: Inclusions, Exclusions, and Exceptions 

A. Authority

The Social Security Amendments of 1983 (section 101 of Public Law 98-21) required new 

employees appointed on or after January 1, 1984, to have OASDI coverage. In addition, certain 

current senior officials and rehires were made subject to OASDI coverage. See Chapter 9 of the 

Social Security Handbook for a detailed discussion of the special Social Security coverage provisions 

for Federal employees.

B. Coverage of New Hires

New employees who were first hired by the Federal government after December 31, 1983, are 

covered by OASDI. This means first hired in the civilian service and does not include military 

service performed before January 1, 1984. The exception is nonresident aliens, who are excluded 

from OASDI coverage.

C. Coverage of Senior Officials 

The Social Security Amendments of 1983 extended mandatory Social Security coverage to 

certain senior officials, effective January 1, 1984, even though these senior officials also had other 

retirement coverage as Federal employees. These senior officials are as follows.

1. All Members, Delegates, and Resident Commissioners of or to Congress, including the Vice 

President.

NOTE 1: For retirement purposes, the term "Members of Congress" includes the Vice 

President, a Delegate to the House of Representatives, and the Resident 

Commissioner from Puerto Rico (5 U.S.C. 2106). 

NOTE 2: Under CSRS, Members of Congress were covered only if they elected to be 

covered. Under FERS, Members of Congress are covered unless they 

"irrevocably" elect not to be covered; however, there are special provisions for 

those who were Members of Congress from December 31, 1983, through the 

FERS open season of July through December 1987. 

2. Persons in Executive Schedule positions covered in sections 5312 through 5317 of title 5, 

U.S. Code. 

NOTE 1: Some positions listed in 5 U.S.C. 5312 through 5317 had already been removed 

from the Executive Schedule as a result of the Civil Service Reform Act and 

placed in the Senior Executive Service (SES) without corresponding revisions 

having been made to title 5. Therefore, persons serving in positions covered in 

sections 5312 through 5317 who were actually in the SES with career 

appointments rather than the Executive Schedule were not mandatorily covered 

by Social Security. Persons serving in executive level positions that are not 

specifically listed in sections 5312 through 5317, but which were designated to 

be treated as if they were so listed also did not mandatorily come under Social 

Security coverage on January 1, 1984. 

NOTE 2: Career SES officials who were appointed before November 10, 1988, by the 

President to an Executive Schedule position with Senate confirmation, could 

elect, under 5 U.S.C. 3392(c) to elect to retain their CSRS only retirement 

coverage as if they had remained as career SES, and not be covered by Social 

Security. Officials appointed on or after November 10, 1988, must have Social 

Security coverage and no longer have this option.

3. Noncareer appointees in the Senior Executive Service (SES).
Chapter 10. Coverage 10-25

NOTE 1: Noncareer appointees. Some noncareer appointees in the SES had never been 

covered under the CSRS and instead had Social Security coverage. Employees 

who were serving under noncareer (designated as indefinite) SES appointments 

were (and still are) excluded from CSRS coverage by OPM's regulations. (See

section 10A1.3-3C.) Public Law 98-21, therefore, had no real effect on their 

status.

NOTE 2: Limited term and emergency appointees. Limited term and limited emergency 

appointees in the SES are specifically excluded from the definition of a 

"noncareer appointee" as given in title 5, U.S. Code. Limited term and limited 

emergency SES appointees are covered by Social Security, but not under 

mandatory coverage provisions. They are excluded from CSRS coverage by 

regulation unless the CSRS coverage the employee had in a prior position 

continues because there has not been a break in service of more than 3 days. 

Therefore, if a career employee under CSRS moves to a limited term or limited 

emergency appointment in the SES without a break in service of more than 3 

days, CSRS coverage continues and the employee continues to be excluded from 

Social Security.

4. Individuals on the White House staff appointed under section 105(a)(1), 106(a)(1), or 

107(a)(1) or (b)(1) of title 3, U.S. Code, if the maximum rate of pay for their positions is at 

or above the rate for level V of the Executive Schedule ($151,700 in January 2017).

5. Certain Federal judges, including:

a. Judges of the U.S. Claims Court 

b. Judges of the U.S. Tax Court 

c. U.S. magistrates;

d. U.S. bankruptcy judges; and

e. Judges of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, formerly the U.S. Court of 

Military Appeals. (The Department of Defense determined that Public Law 98-21 

applied to these judges even though they were not specifically listed in that law. These 

judges are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. They have CSRS or 

FERS coverage and make an election between that and a title 10 retirement benefit at 

their retirement.)

NOTE: Judges of the U.S. Tax Court, bankruptcy judges, and U.S. magistrates have 

CSRS coverage unless they waive it in favor of the systems for these judges.

D. Coverage of Legislative Employees 

Legislative branch employees who, on December 31, 1983, were not covered by CSRS or 

another Federal civilian retirement system were covered by OASDI on January 1, 1984. 

E. Inclusion by History of Service

Certain Federal employees with Federal service prior to 1984 are subject to OASDI because of 

their employment history. Individuals are subject to OASDI taxes if any one of the following 

conditions apply. 

1. They were first hired by the Federal government before January 1, 1984, but did not acquire 

any CSRS or FERS coverage (or the retirement coverage under another system for Federal 

employees) until after 1983 (for example, temporary employees.) 

2. They have a break in service of more than 365 days that ended after December 31, 1983. 

EXCEPTIONS: Employees may be excluded if the employee separated to perform 

service with an international organization before January 1, 1995, the American 

Institute in Taiwan, or uniformed service with the Armed Forces of the United States. 

(See the Social Security Handbook, Special Coverage Provisions, for more details on 
10-26 Chapter 10. Coverage

these exceptions.)

3. They have a break in CSRS coverage (or other retirement coverage under another system for 

Federal employees) of more than 365 days that ended after December 31, 1983. 

EXAMPLE 1: A CSRS-covered employee had a break in service of 6 months, returned 

to a temporary appointment for 3 months, and then had a break of 5 months before 

going to his or her new position. The employee is now subject to Social Security 

because a total of 14 months (more than 1 year) elapsed before the employee returned 

to a position covered by CSRS. 

EXAMPLE 2: A CSRS-covered employee had a break in service of 6 months before 

returning to a temporary appointment of 3 months. One month later, the employee then 

received an appointment covered by CSRS. The employee is not subject to Social 

Security because less than 1 year has elapsed between the position originally subject to 

full CSRS coverage and the new position covered by CSRS 

4. The rules for legislative branch employees are different. A break in covered service (even if 

less than 1 year) occurring after December 31, 1983, while in the legislative branch or a 

refund of CSRS deductions that has been received after December 31, 1983, breaks 

continuity of service for Social Security determination purposes. The legislative employee 

must be covered by Social Security. 

These exceptions apply to service in the legislative branch only. The general rules apply when 

an employee leaves the legislative branch and is later employed in the executive branch. See the 

Social Security Handbook, Special Coverage Provisions, for more details.

F. DC Employees and Other Non-Federal Employment Covered by CSRS Only

Employment with the District of Columbia is not Federal employment, even though it is 

creditable service for CSRS. Therefore, any employee who is hired by a Federal agency on or after 

January 1, 1984, following service with the District of Columbia government will be subject to 

OASDI unless the individual also was a Federal employee covered by full CSRS within 365 days of 

the new appointment. The same rule applies with regard to most other non-Federal employment 

which has been covered by CSRS. 

G. Social Security Amendments of 1983 Quick Reference

1. Most individuals who have had continuous service since before 1984 and who have never 

paid OASDI taxes remain excluded from OASDI taxes.

2. However, the following Federal employees are now subject to full Social Security 

contributions: 

a. Employees first hired after 1983; 

b. Employees first hired before January 1, 1984, but who did not acquire Federal retirement 

coverage until after 1983; or

c. Employees who have had a break in service and/or CSRS coverage of more than 365 

days ending after December 31, 1983; or 

d. Certain senior officials.

3. REFERENCE: See the Social Security Handbook, Special Coverage Provisions chapter, for 

a more detailed description of Social Security coverage.
Chapter 10. Coverage 10-27

Section 10A1.3-7 Decision Factors in Determining Coverage

A. Introduction

The decision factors described below and in the following pages are used in the decision tables in 

Part 10A2 for making coverage determinations. They are the key decision points, or questions, that 

must be answered when making a determination. This section describes the role each factor plays in 

the coverage determination process.

B. Factors

1. The factors that affect coverage fall into three categories:

a. Prior FERS coverage;

b. Service history; and

c. Type of appointment.

2. The impact of specific decision factors within these general categories is described below.

C. Prior FERS Coverage

Once an employee has FERS coverage by election or automatic coverage he or she will be 

covered by FERS in all future appointments unless excluded by law or regulation 

D. History of Service

1. The following factors relating to an employee's service history affect the coverage.

a. Date of first hire after December 31, 1983: Employees first hired after December 31, 

1983, are subject to full OASDI taxes unless they are excluded from coverage under 

Social Security (for example, foreign nationals serving overseas). Social Security 

coverage is the critical factor in determining whether an employee is covered by CSRS or 

FERS, and, if CSRS, whether it is full coverage or Offset coverage.

b. 5-year test: If this test is satisfied an employee will not be automatically converted to 

FERS. (See section 10A1.1-2I.) 

2. Creditable civilian service: Apply the following guidelines in calculating the amount of 

creditable civilian service that is included in the 5-year test. 

a. Count all creditable civilian service and potentially creditable civilian service regardless of 

the appointment on which the employee was serving. (See discussion of potentially 

creditable service in subparagraph 7.)

b. Do not use the employee's SCD recorded on the SF-50 to determine length of creditable 

civilian service. This SCD is adjusted to reflect the amount of service creditable towards 

leave, not retirement coverage. It may also include military service, which is not to be 

used in determining coverage. Do, however, count time that is creditable as civilian 

service because it qualifies as a period of military furlough.

3. 365-day break in service: This factor determines whether an employee who is eligible to 

continue CSRS coverage has regular coverage or CSRS Offset coverage. Rehired Federal 

employees who have a break in Federal employment or CSRS coverage of greater than 365 

days are covered by OASDI. Service with the Armed Forces of the United States when the 

employee returns to his or her former position, service under another retirement system for 

Federal employees, service with an international organization, and service with the American 

Institute in Taiwan do not count toward a 365-day break in service.

When a former employee who was receiving workers' compensation benefits under FECA, 

the Federal Employees Compensation Act, returns to duty, the time he or she was in receipt 

of FECA benefits is considered a leave of absence, not a separation from employment. In 
10-28 Chapter 10. Coverage

determining length of separation, if any, for OASDI tax purposes, disregard all periods of 

time during which the employee was (or was considered to be) on leave of absence without 

pay. 

4. Break in service of 3 days or less: Employees who change from a position or type of 

appointment that is covered to one that is excluded from coverage by regulation (but not by 

law) and have no break in service or a break of 3 days or less, retain retirement coverage in 

the new position. This is known as continuity of coverage and is applicable to both CSRS 

and FERS.

EXAMPLE: An employee who is covered by CSRS in a career appointment accepts a 

temporary appointment with a break in service of 3 days or less. The employee continues 

to be covered by CSRS in the temporary appointment. 

5. Exception to 3-day break rule: A CSRS employee who becomes a senior official may 

become subject to CSRS Offset or FERS. (See Chapter 101, Special Retirement Provisions 

for Senior Officials.)

6. Non-Federal service creditable under CSRS: Non-Federal service, such as with the DC 

Government or the Legal Services Corporation, which is creditable under CSRS is counted in 

determining how much creditable service an employee has for retirement purposes. Except 

as specified in subparagraph 3 above, non Federal service is considered a break in Federal 

Employment. Thus, the time spent serving in the non Federal appointment would be included 

in counting a 365 day break. Therefore, when an employee moves from such non-Federal 

employment to a Federal position, use the rules for first hires or rehires to determine 

retirement coverage.

7. Potentially creditable service:

a. Certain categories of service become fully creditable only if the employee takes certain 

actions, such as applying to pay for the service by a deadline established in law or 

waiving rights to benefits under another retirement system for Federal employees.

b. For example, service covered by the Foreign Service Retirement System or the Tennessee 

Valley Authority's retirement plan is potentially (but not fully) creditable until an 

employee has waived his or her rights to benefits under the other system and made any 

deposit necessary to OPM. In making coverage determinations (and determining if a 

CSRS component exists) count all creditable civilian service that is potentially creditable 

on the effective date of the personnel action requiring the coverage determination. 

The resulting coverage decision remains valid even though the employee may never ever take 

all the actions needed for the service to become fully creditable.

E. Type of Appointment

The following factors relating to an employee's type of appointment affect coverage. 

1. Type of appointment. Some types of appointments (temporary and intermittent) are 

excluded from coverage under both CSRS and FERS. Other types of appointments (for 

example, term, TAPER, and indefinite) are excluded from CSRS coverage by regulation, 

but not from FERS. See Subpart 10A1.3 for a complete list of exclusions and exceptions to 

FERS and CSRS. 

2. Qualification as a senior official. Certain senior officials are mandatorily covered by 

Social Security under the Social Security Amendments of 1983. With one exception, an 

employee who becomes one of these senior officials is covered by OASDI and cannot 

continue only full CSRS coverage. Section 10A1.3-6 contains a list of these senior 

officials. Chapter 101 provides complete coverage determination procedures, since they 

have special coverage and election options.
Chapter 10. Coverage 10-29

F. Summary of Decision Factors 

The following table lists those decision factors that are relevant for coverage determinations for:

1. new hires;

2. transfers and conversions; and 

3. rehires

EMPLOYEE CATEGORY RELEVANT FACTORS

New hires (after 12/31/83) • Type of appointment

• Non-Federal service creditable under CSRS

• Exclusion from OASDI coverage

Transfers and Conversions • FERS election

• Date of first hire

• 5-year test

• Classification as senior official

• Type of appointment

Rehires • All decision factors are relevant unless 

previously under FERS. If employee was 

under FERS, he or she continues under FERS

unless this appointment is excluded.
10-30 Chapter 10. Coverage

Part 10A2. Procedures for Determining Coverage

Subpart 10A2.1. Procedure

Section 10A2.1-1. Procedure for First Hires

A. Definition

First hires are newly hired employees who have no prior civilian service with the Federal 

government. (Certain new hires may have non-Federal service that is covered or creditable under 

CSRS.)

B. General Rule

Employees who are first hired after December 31, 1983, are covered by FERS unless they are 

serving under temporary limited appointments NTE 1 year or appointments with intermittent tours of 

duty. 

C. Exceptions

First hires excluded from OASDI (for example, certain foreign nationals) cannot be covered by 

FERS or CSRS Offset. Foreign nationals appointed after December 31, 1986, are also excluded 

from CSRS coverage.

D. Non-Federal Service Covered by CSRS

New Federal employees who have had prior non-Federal service that was covered by CSRS may 

also be excluded from FERS, depending on the amount of this service. The employee is normally 

covered by OASDI. Apply the 5-year test to determine if the employee has FERS or CSRS Offset 

coverage.

E. Coverage Determination Table

The following table is an aid to help you make correct coverage determinations for new 

employees

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

1 Does employee have prior non-Federal service 

that was covered by or creditable under CSRS? 

(See section 10A1.3-3B) 

Go to Step 2 Go to Step 5 

2 Does employee meet 5 year test? (See section 

10A1.1-2I) 

Go to Step 3 Skip to Step 5

3 Is current appointment excluded from CSRS? (See 

section 10A1.3-3) 

Go to Step 4 Coverage under CSRS 

Offset with option to 

elect FERS 

4 Is current appointment excluded from FERS? (See 

section 10A1.3-5) 

Coverage under 

FICA only (unless 

not applicable) 

Covered by FICA with 

option to elect FERS 

5 Is appointment excluded from FERS by law or 

regulation? (See section 10A1.3-5) 

Coverage under 

FICA only (unless 

not applicable) 

Go to Step 6
Chapter 10. Coverage 10-31

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

6. Is appointment effective before January 1, 2013? Coverage Under 

FERS

Go to Step 7

7. Was employee on December 31, 2012, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace Corp 

volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS?)

Coverage Under 

FERS

Go to Step 8

8. Does employee as of December 31, 2012, have at 

least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Coverage under 

FERS

Go To Step 9

9. Is appointment effective on or after January 1, 

2013, and before January 1, 2014?

Coverage under 

FERS-RAE

Go to Step 10

10. Was employee on December 31, 2013, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace Corp 

volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Coverage under 

FERS-RAE

Go to Step 11

11. Does employee as of December 31, 2013, have at 

least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Coverage under 

FERS-RAE

Coverage under 

FERS-FRAE
10-32 Chapter 10. Coverage

Section 10A2.1-2. Procedure for Transfers and Conversions to New Appointments 

A. Definition

1. Transfers occur when employees move from one position or type of appointment to another 

between agencies with no break in service or a break of 3 days or less. 

2. Conversions occur when employees move from one appointment in an agency to another 

appointment in the same agency with no break in service or with a break in service of 3 days 

or less. (Natures of action for conversions begin with a "5," for example, 500, 501, 570.) 

NOTE: Employees moving into a Federal agency from positions under the DC Government 

are not transferring since the move is not from a Federal agency. Apply rules for 

first hires or rehires, depending on whether the person also has prior creditable 

service. The same applies for other non-Federal service that was covered under the 

CSRS.

B. General Rule

Usually coverage does not change upon transfer. It often changes upon conversion. 

C. Exceptions

An individual's coverage may change if:

1. the new position is excluded by law, 

2. the employee is moving into or out of a senior official position mandatorily covered by Social 

Security (for example, noncareer SES), 

3. the employee is moving from an appointment without retirement coverage under CSRS or 

FERS (for example, temporary NTE 1 year) to a career-conditional or other type of 

appointment that confers retirement coverage,

4. the employee is moving from an appointment without retirement coverage under CSRS or 

FERS (for example, temporary NTE 1 year) to an appointment that is excluded under CSRS, 

but not under FERS (for example, term), or 

5. the employee is moving from a position under another retirement system, (for example, FSRS 

or TVA).

D. Cross Servicing Arrangements

With cross-servicing arrangements, an employee may change agencies, but have the same 

servicing payroll office, or remain within the same agency, but be under a different payroll office. 

Although these changes may require closing out the employee's retirement records in the losing 

organization, a change in payroll office does not affect retirement coverage
Chapter 10. Coverage 10-33

E. Coverage 

The following table is an aid to help you make coverage decisions for employees who transfer or 

convert to new appointments. 

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

1 Does employee qualify as a senior official? (See 

section 10A1.3-6C) 

See Chapter 101 Go to Step 2 

2 Was last employment under another Federal 

retirement system (for example, FSRS)? 

Go to Step 5 Go to Step 3 

3 Was last appointment covered by OASDI (FICA) only? Go to Step 4 Employee retains 

previous coverage 

4 Did employee previously have FERS (i.e. FERS/FERSRAE/FERS-FRAE) coverage? Go to Step 11 Go to Step 5 

5 Was employee first hired after December 31, 1983? Go to Step 20 Go to Step 6 

6 Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 year or 

intermittent and not career or career conditional? 

Employee covered 

under FICA only 

Go to Step 7 

7 Is the current appointment excluded from CSRS by 

law or regulation? (See section 10A1.3-3) 

Go to Step 8 Go to Step 9 

8 Does employee meet the 5-year test? (See section 

10A1.1-2I) 

Employee covered 

under FICA only 

with option to elect 

FERS 

Go to Step 21

9 Is current appointment now subject to FICA? (See 

section 10A1.3-6) 

Go to Step 10 Employee covered 

under CSRS with 

option to elect 

FERS* 

10 Does employee meet the 5-year test? (See section 

10A1.1-2I) 

Employee covered 

under CSRS Offset 

with option to elect 

FERS 

Go to Step 21

11. Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 year or 

intermittent and not career or career conditional 

(that is, excluded from FERS)? 

Employee covered 

under FICA only 

Go to Step 12

12 Is current appointment effective before January 1, 

2013?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 13

13 Was employee covered under FERS on December 31, 

2012?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 14

14 Was employee on December 31, 2012, performing 

civilian service that was creditable or potentially 

creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace Corp volunteer 

service or service covered under another retirement 

system for which credit may be transferred to FERS, 

such as Foreign Service, Federal Reserve, or CIARDS

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 15

15 Does employee as of December 31, 2012, have at 

least 5-years of creditable or potentially creditable 

service under FERS?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 16
10-34 Chapter 10. Coverage

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

16. Is current appointment effective on or after January 

1, 2013, and before January 1, 2014?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 17

17. Was employee covered under FERS-RAE on 

December 31, 2013?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 18

18. Was employee on December 31, 2013, performing 

civilian service that was creditable or potentially 

creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace Corp volunteer 

service or service covered under another retirement 

system for which credit may be transferred to FERS, 

such as Foreign Service, Federal Reserve, or 

CIARDS)?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 19

19. Does employee as of December 31, 2013, have at 

least 5-years of creditable or potentially creditable 

service under FERS?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-FRAE

20 Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 year or 

intermittent and not career or career conditional 

(that is, excluded from FERS)? 

Employee covered 

under FICA only 

Go to Step 21

21. Is current appointment effective before 

January 1, 2013?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 22

22 Was employee on December 31, 2012, performing 

civilian service that was creditable or potentially 

creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace Corp volunteer 

service or service covered under another retirement 

system for which credit may be transferred to FERS, 

such as Foreign Service, Federal Reserve, or 

CIARDS)?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 23

23 Does employee as of December 31, 2012, have at 

least 5-years of creditable or potentially creditable 

service under FERS?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 24

24 Is current appointment effective on or after January 

1, 2013, and before January 1, 2014?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 25

25 Was employee on December 31, 2013, performing 

civilian service that was creditable or potentially 

creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace Corp volunteer 

service or service covered under another retirement 

system for which credit may be transferred to FERS, 

such as Foreign Service, Federal Reserve, or 

CIARDS)?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 26

26 Does employee as of December 31, 2013, have at 

least 5-years of creditable or potentially creditable 

service under FERS?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-FRAE

*An employee has only one opportunity to elect FERS during any period of continuous 

employment
Chapter 10. Coverage 10-35

Section 10A2.1-3. Procedure for Rehires

A. Definition

Rehires are those employees who have previous Federal civilian service and are being 

reemployed by the Federal government following a break in service of more than 3 days.

B. General Rules

1. Employees under FERS: If an employee was previously in FERS, the employee continues 

to have FERS coverage in the new position unless excluded by law or regulation. 

2. Employees not formerly under FERS: 

If an employee has a break 

in full CSRS service of

Then ... 

greater than 365 days Unless the new position is excluded by law or regulation, 

apply the 5-year test to determine if the employee is now 

in CSRS Offset or FERS.

Reference: See section 10A1.1-2I for a definition of the 

5-year test.

less than 365 days or an 

exception applies due to 

type of break (for example, 

uniformed military service)

 

The employee retains previous coverage unless the new 

position is excluded by law or regulation.

C. Election Opportunity

Anyone who is not already covered by FERS and whose new appointment is not excluded from 

FERS by law or regulation has a personal 6-month opportunity to elect FERS upon being rehired 

after a break in service of more than 3 days.

D. Coverage Determination Procedure 

The following table is an aid for making coverage determinations when employees are rehired 

after a break in service.

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

1 Does employee qualify as a senior official? (See section 

10A1.3-6C) 

See Chapter 101 Go to Step 2 

2 Did employee previously have FERS (i.e. FERS/FERSRAE/FERS-FRAE) coverage? Go to Step 10 Go to Step 3 

3 Was employee first hired after December 31, 1983? Go to Step 9 Go to Step 4 

4 Is current appointment temporary NTE 1 year or 

intermittent and not career or career-conditional? 

Coverage under 

FICA only 

Go to Step 5 

5 Is employee's current appointment excluded from CSRS 

by law or regulation? (See section 10A1.3-3) 

Go to Step 6 Go to Step 7 

6 Does employee meet 5-year test? (See section 10A1.1-

2I) 

FICA only with 

option to elect FERS 

Go to Step 19
10-36 Chapter 10. Coverage

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

7 Is current appointment now subject to FICA? (See 

section 10A1.3-6) 

Go to Step 8 Coverage under 

CSRS with option to 

elect FERS 

8 Does employee meet the 5-year test? (See section 

10A1.1-2I) 

Coverage under 

CSRS Offset with 

option to elect FERS 

Go to Step 19

9 Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 year or 

intermittent and not career or career conditional (that 

is, excluded from FERS)? 

Coverage under 

FICA only 

Go to Step 19

10 Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 year or 

intermittent and not career or career conditional (that 

is, excluded from FERS)?

Coverage under 

FICA only

Go to Step 11

11 Is current appointment effective before January 1, 

2013?

Coverage under 

FERS

Go to Step 12

12 Was employee covered under FERS on December 31, 

2012?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 13

13 Was employee on December 31, 2012, performing 

civilian service that was creditable or potentially 

creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace Corp volunteer service 

or service covered under another retirement system for 

which credit may be transferred to FERS, such as 

Foreign Service, Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 14

14 Does employee as of December 31, 2012, have at least 

5-years of creditable or potentially creditable service 

under FERS?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 15

15 Is current appointment effective on or after January 1, 

2013, and before January 1, 2014?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 16

16. Was employee covered under FERS-RAE on December 

31, 2013?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 17

17. Was employee on December 31, 2013, performing 

civilian service that was creditable or potentially 

creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace Corp volunteer service 

or service covered under another retirement system for 

which credit may be transferred to FERS, such as 

Foreign Service, Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 18

18. Does employee as of December 31, 2013, have at least 

5-years of creditable or potentially creditable service 

under FERS?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-FRAE

19. Is current appointment effective before January 1, 

2013?

Coverage under 

FERS

Go to Step 20
Chapter 10. Coverage 10-37

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

20 Was employee on December 31, 2012, performing 

civilian service that was creditable or potentially 

creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace Corp volunteer service 

or service covered under another retirement system for 

which credit may be transferred to FERS, such as 

Foreign Service, Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 21

21. Does employee as of December 31, 2012, have at least 

5-years of creditable or potentially creditable service 

under FERS?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 22

22 Is current appointment effective on or after January 1, 

2013, and before January 1, 2014?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 23

23 Was employee on December 31, 2013, performing 

civilian service that was creditable or potentially 

creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace Corp volunteer service 

or service covered under another retirement system for 

which credit may be transferred to FERS, such as 

Foreign Service, Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 24

24 Does employee as of December 31, 2013, have at least 

5-years of creditable or potentially creditable service 

under FERS?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-FRAE
10-38 Chapter 10. Coverage

Part 10A3. FERS RAE and FERS FRAE

SubPart 10A3.1. Enhanced Retirement Deductions

Section 10A3.1-1. General 

A. Overview

Once it has been determined that an employee is covered under FERS, it must further be 

determined whether the employee will be subject to enhanced retirement deductions under FERS 

RAE or FERS FRAE. 

This guidance only applies to automatic FERS coverage determinations. Employees who are 

subject to CSRS, CSRS-Offset, or FICA-only coverage and who have an opportunity to elect to 

transfer to FERS will be subject to FERS, not FERS-RAE, if they elect to transfer to FERS. 

B. Background 

Public Law 112-96, Section 5001, the “Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012,” 

established FERS-Revised Annuity Employee (FERS-RAE). In general, employees hired after 

December 31, 2012, who were not excluded from FERS coverage became subject to FERS-RAE 

coverage and paid significantly higher employee contributions for the FERS basic benefit than 

employees subject to the original FERS coverage. (With one exception, the amounts of benefits 

payable under FERS did not change. There was a change, though, to the FERS basic benefit payable 

to congressional employees and Members of Congress.) The FERS-RAE provisions, however, 

included three exceptions whereby employees hired after December 31, 2012, would be subject to 

the original FERS coverage (and the lower employee contribution rate). The employee’s status on 

December 31, 2012, was crucial in determining if the employee could retain coverage under original 

FERS. Benefits Administration Letter (BAL) 13-102, outlined the rules for determining if an 

employee hired after December 31, 2012, could retain original FERS coverage. 

Section 401 of the “Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013, signed into law by the President on December 

26, 2013, created another class of FERS coverage, FERS-Further Revised Annuity Employee 

(FERS-FRAE). In general, employees hired after December 31, 2013, who are not excluded from 

FERS coverage become subject to FERS-FRAE coverage and must pay even higher employee 

contributions for the FERS basic benefit than FERS-RAE employees. Employees who meet the 

requirements to retain original FERS coverage based on their status as of December 31, 2012, will 

continue to be subject to original FERS coverage. Employees who are not eligible for original FERS 

coverage may still be eligible for FERS-RAE coverage based on their status as of December 31, 

2013. 

The basic FERS benefits for congressional employees and Members of Congress covered under 

FERS-FRAE are the same as the benefits those groups receive under FERS-RAE.
Chapter 10. Coverage 10-39

Section 10A3.1-2: Procedures.

A. Coverage Determination 

In general, employees hired after December 31, 2013, who are not excluded from FERS coverage 

will be subject to FERS-FRAE, unless they meet specific service requirements as of December 31, 

2012, that would allow them to be subject to original FERS, or unless they meet specific service 

requirements as of December 31, 2013, that would allow them to be subject to FERS-RAE. 

An individual hired in 2014 or later will be subject to original FERS coverage if any of these 

exceptions apply: 

1. the individual on December 31, 2012, was covered under FERS; or 

2. the individual on December 31, 2012, was performing civilian service which is creditable or 

potentially creditable service under FERS (for example, the individual may have been 

performing service as a Peace Corps volunteer or may have been covered under another 

retirement system from which service credit may be transferred to FERS,, such as CSRS, 

CSRS-Offset, Foreign Service, Federal Reserve, or CIARDS), or 

3. the individual on December 31, 2012, was not covered under FERS and was not performing 

civilian service which is creditable or potentially creditable service under FERS, but as of 

December 31, 2012, had performed at least five years of civilian service creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS, including service subject to CSRS or CSRS-Offset.

An individual hired in 2014 or later who is not subject to original FERS coverage will be subject 

to FERS-RAE coverage if any of these exceptions apply: 

1. the individual on December 31, 2013, was covered under FERS-RAE; or 

2. the individual on December 31, 2013, was performing civilian service which is creditable or 

potentially creditable service under FERS (for example, the individual may have been 

performing service as a Peace Corps volunteer or may have been covered under another 

retirement system from which service credit may be transferred to FERS,, such as CSRS, 

CSRS-Offset, Foreign Service, Federal Reserve, or CIARDS), or 

3. the individual on December 31, 2013, was not covered under FERS and was not performing 

civilian service which is creditable or potentially creditable service under FERS, but as of 

December 31, 2013, had performed at least five years of civilian service creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS, including service subject to CSRS or CSRS-Offset. 

We have provided Retirement Coverage Determination tables to help you make the coverage 

decision. Tables located in BAL 14-107. 

B. Potentially Creditable Service

Certain categories of service become fully creditable only if the employee takes certain actions, 

such as applying to pay for the service by a deadline established in law or waiving rights to benefits 

under another retirement system for Federal employees. For example, service covered by the Foreign 

Service Pension System (FSPS) is potentially (but not fully) creditable until an employee has waived 

his or her rights to benefits under that system and made the necessary deposit to OPM. Peace Corps 

volunteer service is another example. In making coverage determinations count all creditable civilian 

service that is potentially creditable on the effective date of the personnel action requiring the 

coverage determination. The resulting coverage decision remains valid even though the employee 

may never ever take all the actions needed for the service to become fully creditable. 

Military service for which a deposit has been paid is not considered creditable for determining the 

five years of service for exemption from FERS-RAE or FERS-FRAE.
10-40 Chapter 10. Coverage

C. Performing Active Duty Military Service on December 31, 2013, Following a Separation 

from Civilian Service

If a FERS-RAE covered employee separates from Federal service before December 31, 2013 to 

enter active duty military service, and returns to Federal service after December 31, 2013, after 

exercising his or her reemployment rights under 38 U.S.C. § 4312, the employee is not considered to 

be separated from Federal service for purposes of determining FERS-FRAE coverage. Under 

specific provision of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act 

(USERRA), individuals reemployed with the Government under chapter 43 of title 38 must be 

treated as not having a break in service.

D. Break in Service of Three Days or Less that Spans December 31, 2013

If an individual leaves a FERS-RAE covered position immediately before December 31, 2013, 

and returns to a FERS covered position after a break of three days or less, the employee will continue 

to be covered under FERS-RAE even if the employee returns after December 31, 2013. A break in 

FERS-RAE coverage of three days or less is not considered to be a separation from service and the 

individual is considered to be covered under FERS-RAE on December 31, 2013. 
Chapter 10. Coverage 10-41

Part 10A4. Prior Coverage Determinations 

Subpart 10A4.1. Review of Prior Coverage Determinations 

Section 10A4.1-1. Performing a Review of Prior Coverage 

A. Purpose

Since correct retirement coverage now depends on a number of factors, it sometimes is necessary 

to verify prior coverage determinations. In particular, coverage determinations for employees who 

had creditable civilian service before 1984 and who have had one or more breaks in service or 

changes in type of appointment may be susceptible to errors. The purpose of this section is to 

provide the tools to facilitate reviews of prior coverage determinations when an agency believes that 

a review is needed.

B. Resources Required

Generally, you need the employee's Official Personnel Folder/Electronic Official Personnel 

Folder/Merged Records Personnel Folder (OPF/EOPF/MRPF) to review prior coverage 

determinations. 

C. Procedure

To review prior coverage, follow this procedure

STEP ACTION

1 Check the employee's OPF/EOPF/MRPF for FERS Election. Look for an SF 50 (or 

equivalent) showing action code 803/Chg in Retirement Plan and a retirement 

code of K, L, M, or N, or the OPF copy of a FERS election on either Standard Form 

3109 or the old OPM Form 1555 (1561 or 1563 for certain senior officials). If you 

see an OPM Form 1561 or 1563, this indicates the employee was a senior official 

with special elections (see Chapter 101 of this Handbook for senior official rules). 

If the employee has previously elected FERS, he or she retains FERS coverage 

unless excluded by law or regulation in the new position.

2 Compile an Employment Checklist History, listing the employee's personnel 

actions and retirement coverage. Use all potentially creditable civilian service. Do 

not include military service. (Do, however, include military furlough time that is 

creditable as civilian service.) Use this history as a record of the employee's 

service with respect to coverage. A copy of a standard worksheet to use for your 

checklist follows.

3 Verify coverage. Use the appropriate coverage determination table (that is, New 

Hire, Transfer or Conversion, or Rehire) to make a decision about coverage 

independent of a prior agency determination. Then check your decision against 

the previous determination to see if you came to the same conclusion. If you do 

not come to the same determination, verify with the employee that the service 

history you have is correct and complete. If you determine that an error has been 

made, initiate action to correct the error.
10-42 Chapter 10. Coverage

Section 10A4.1-2. Review: Employment History Checklist

A. Worksheet

Action Type of 

Appointment 

Coverage Effective Dates Break in 

Service?

Eligible to 

Elect 

From To FERS?

Total Service

B. Description of Checklist Items

ITEM DESCRIPTION

Action Type of personnel action taken (for example, transfer, conversion) as indicated on SF 

50.

Type of 

appointment

Type of appointment (for example, excepted service, career-conditional) as indicated 

on SF 50.

Coverage Retirement coverage employee had while in position. Retirement codes are shown 

on the SF 50, Item 8 (block 30 as of October 1, 1988). See the Guide to Personnel 

Data Standards (formerly FPM Supplement 292-1) for the definitions of these codes.

Effective 

dates

Effective dates of personnel actions.

Break in 

service?

Note each break in service, and its length. Also note if break is:

• 3 days or less (not considered break); or

• is over 365 days (may result in OASDI coverage).

FERS Election If an employee has a break of more than 3 days on or after July 1, 1987, has not 

previously acquired FERS coverage, and is not now excluded from FERS, he or she has 

a new 6-month period to elect FERS. An employee who transfers or converts from an 

appointment that is excluded from FERS to one that is not also has a 6-month 

opportunity to elect FERS, if he or she did not have a prior opportunity to elect FERS 

during the same period of continuous employment.
Chapter 10. Coverage 10-43

Section 10A4.1-3. Example: Review of Prior Determinations

A. Introduction

The following example illustrates how an agency might perform a review of prior coverage 

determinations to insure that the employee's current coverage status is correct.

B. Step 1: Check for FERS or FERCCA Election

In checking through the employee's OPF/EOPF/MRPF, there was no record of a prior FERS or 

FERCCA election. If the employee had elected FERS, Step 2 of the review procedure could be 

limited to service before the election. Please note that a FERCCA election may provide coverage that 

is contrary to the result derived from the determination tables.

C. Step 2: Compile Checklist History

The following sample checklist was compiled to review the employee's history of service and 

prior coverage.

Action Type of 

Appointment 

Coverage Effective Dates Break in 

Service?

Eligible to 

Elect

From To FERS?

First Hired 

NTE (date) 

Temp. 2 (FICA) 1/2/1970 7/31/1970 NA NA

Conversion Career-Cond. 1 (CSRS) 8/1/1970 7/31/1973 NO NA

Chg in 

Tenure

Career 1 (CSRS) 8/1/1973 3/31/1975 NO NA

Rehire NTE 

(date)

Temp Appt 2 (FICA) 7/1/1978 8/31/1978 YES NA

Rehire 

Career

Reinstatement 1 (CSRS) 5/1/1981 8/31/1982 YES NA

Transfer Career 1 (CSRS) 9/1/1982 2/29/1988 NO 7/1/87 to 

12/31/87

*Rehire 

Career

Reinstatement C (CSRS) 

Offset

6/1/1990 8/31/1990 YES 6/1/90 to 

11/30/1990

*Transfer 

Offset

Career CSRS 9/1/1990 3/31/1991 NO 9/1/90 to

11/30/1990

*Transfer 

Offset

Career CSRS 4/1/1991 NO ____

Total 

Service

* Indicates determinations in question for review.

D. Step 3: Verify Determination

In verifying past determinations, be sure you listed all potentially creditable civilian service. For 

employees with service before 1987, look at each change in appointment that has occurred since 

January 1, 1984, to determine if the employee had a break in CSRS coverage that exceeds 365 days, 
10-44 Chapter 10. Coverage

or was first hired after December 31, 1983. 

The tables on the next page show how an agency used the employment history in the preceding 

example to verify coverage determinations upon the employee's reemployment on June 1, 1990, and 

transfer on September 01, 1990. 

Copies of Coverage Determination Tables are in Subchapter 10C. 

If a coverage error that occurs or continues after 12-31-1986 is found, please refer to Benefits 

Administration Letter 04-108 and 5 CFR part 839 to determine if the employee is eligible for relief 

under the Federal Erroneous Retirement Coverage Corrections Act (FERCCA).

E. Decision Factor Table

ACTION 1: Reemployment 6/1/90: Conclusion of CSRS Offset correct because employee had a 

break in service exceeding 365 days.

ACTION 2: Transfer 9/01/90 

Conclusion of CSRS Offset correct because employee had become subject to OASDI service, and 

status did not change upon transfer. 

Action 1

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

1 Does employee qualify as a senior official? (See section 

10A1.3-6C) 

See Chapter 

101 

Go to Step 2 

2 Did employee previously have FERS (i.e. FERS/FERSRAE/FERS-FRAE) coverage? Go to Step 10 Go to Step 3 

3 Was employee first hired after December 31, 1983? Go to Step 9 Go to Step 4 

4 Is current appointment temporary NTE 1 year or 

intermittent and not career or career-conditional? 

Coverage 

under FICA 

only 

Go to Step 5 

5 Is employee's current appointment excluded from CSRS by 

law or regulation? (See section 10A1.3-3) 

Go to Step 6 Go to Step 7 

6 Does employee meet 5-year test? (See section 10A1.1-2I) FICA only with 

option to elect 

FERS 

Go to Step 19

7 Is current appointment now subject to FICA? (See section 

10A1.3-6) 

Go to Step 8 Coverage under CSRS 

with option to elect 

FERS 

8 Does employee meet the 5-year test? (See section 10A1.1-

2I) 

Coverage 

under CSRS 

Offset with 

option to elect 

FERS 

Go to Step 19

9 Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 year or 

intermittent and not career or career conditional (that is, 

excluded from FERS)? 

Coverage 

under FICA 

only 

Go to Step 19
Chapter 10. Coverage 10-45

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

10 Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 year or 

intermittent and not career or career conditional (that is, 

excluded from FERS)?

Coverage 

under FICA

only

Go to Step 11

11 Is current appointment effective before January 1, 2013? Coverage 

under FERS

Go to Step 12

12 Was employee covered under FERS on December 31, 2012? Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 13

13 Was employee on December 31, 2012, performing civilian 

service that was creditable or potentially creditable under 

FERS (e.g. Peace Corp volunteer service or service covered 

under another retirement system for which credit may be 

transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, Federal 

Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 14

14 Does employee as of December 31, 2012, have at least 5-

years of creditable or potentially creditable service under 

FERS?

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 15

15 Is current appointment effective on or after January 1, 2013, 

and before January 1, 2014?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Go to Step 16

16. Was employee covered under FERS-RAE on December 31, 

2013?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Go to Step 17

17. Was employee on December 31, 2013, performing civilian 

service that was creditable or potentially creditable under 

FERS (e.g. Peace Corp volunteer service or service covered 

under another retirement system for which credit may be 

transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, Federal 

Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Go to Step 18

18. Does employee as of December 31, 2013, have at least 5-

years of creditable or potentially creditable service under 

FERS?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Employee is covered 

under FERS-FRAE

19. Is current appointment effective before January 1, 2013? Coverage 

under FERS

Go to Step 20

20 Was employee on December 31, 2012, performing civilian 

service that was creditable or potentially creditable under 

FERS (e.g. Peace Corp volunteer service or service covered 

under another retirement system for which credit may be 

transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, Federal 

Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 21

21. Does employee as of December 31, 2012, have at least 5-

years of creditable or potentially creditable service under 

FERS?

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 22
10-46 Chapter 10. Coverage

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

22 Is current appointment effective on or after January 1, 2013, 

and before January 1, 2014?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Go to Step 23

23 Was employee on December 31, 2013, performing civilian 

service that was creditable or potentially creditable under 

FERS (e.g. Peace Corp volunteer service or service covered 

under another retirement system for which credit may be 

transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, Federal 

Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Go to Step 24

24 Does employee as of December 31, 2013, have at least 5-

years of creditable or potentially creditable service under 

FERS?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Employee is covered 

under FERS-FRAE

Action 2

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

1 Does employee qualify as a senior official? (See section 

10A1.3-6C) 

See Chapter 101 Go to Step 2 

2 Was last employment under another Federal retirement 

system (for example, FSRS)? 

Go to Step 5 Go to Step 3 

3 Was last appointment covered by OASDI (FICA) only? Go to Step 4 Employee retains 

previous coverage 

4 Did employee previously have FERS (i.e. FERS/FERSRAE/FERS-FRAE) coverage? Go to Step 11 Go to Step 5 

5 Was employee first hired after December 31, 1983? Go to Step 20 Go to Step 6 

6 Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 year or 

intermittent and not career or career conditional? 

Employee 

covered under 

FICA only 

Go to Step 7 

7 Is the current appointment excluded from CSRS by law or 

regulation? (See section 10A1.3-3) 

Go to Step 8 Go to Step 9 

8 Does employee meet the 5-year test? (See section 

10A1.1-2I) 

Employee 

covered under 

FICA only with 

option to elect 

FERS 

Go to Step 21

9 Is current appointment now subject to FICA? (See section 

10A1.3-6) 

Go to Step 10 Employee covered 

under CSRS with 

option to elect FERS* 

10 Does employee meet the 5-year test? (See section 

10A1.1-2I) 

Employee 

covered under 

CSRS Offset with 

option to elect 

FERS 

Go to Step 21
Chapter 10. Coverage 10-47

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

11. Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 year or 

intermittent and not career or career conditional (that is, 

excluded from FERS)? 

Employee 

covered under 

FICA only 

Go to Step 12

12 Is current appointment effective before January 1, 2013? Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 13

13 Was employee covered under FERS on December 31, 

2012?

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 14

14 Was employee on December 31, 2012, performing civilian 

service that was creditable or potentially creditable under 

FERS (e.g. Peace Corp volunteer service or service 

covered under another retirement system for which 

credit may be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign 

Service, Federal Reserve, or CIARDS

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 15

15 Does employee as of December 31, 2012, have at least 5-

years of creditable or potentially creditable service under 

FERS?

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 16

16. Is current appointment effective on or after January 1, 

2013, and before January 1, 2014?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Go to Step 17

17. Was employee covered under FERS-RAE on December 31, 

2013?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Go to Step 18

18. Was employee on December 31, 2013, performing civilian 

service that was creditable or potentially creditable under 

FERS (e.g. Peace Corp volunteer service or service 

covered under another retirement system for which 

credit may be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign 

Service, Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Go to Step 19

19. Does employee as of December 31, 2013, have at least 5-

years of creditable or potentially creditable service under 

FERS?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Employee is covered 

under FERS-FRAE

20 Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 year or 

intermittent and not career or career conditional (that is, 

excluded from FERS)? 

Employee 

covered under 

FICA only 

Go to Step 21

21. Is current appointment effective before 

January 1, 2013?

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 22

22 Was employee on December 31, 2012, performing civilian 

service that was creditable or potentially creditable under 

FERS (e.g. Peace Corp volunteer service or service 

covered under another retirement system for which 

credit may be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign 

Service, Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 23
10-48 Chapter 10. Coverage

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

23 Does employee as of December 31, 2012, have at least 5-

years of creditable or potentially creditable service under 

FERS?

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 24

24 Is current appointment effective on or after January 1, 

2013, and before January 1, 2014?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Go to Step 25

25 Was employee on December 31, 2013, performing civilian 

service that was creditable or potentially creditable under 

FERS (e.g. Peace Corp volunteer service or service 

covered under another retirement system for which 

credit may be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign 

Service, Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Go to Step 26

26 Does employee as of December 31, 2013, have at least 5-

years of creditable or potentially creditable service under 

FERS?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Employee is covered 

under FERS-FRAE
Chapter 10. Coverage 10-49

Subchapter 10B. Examples of Application of Coverage Rules 

Part 10B1. General Information

SubPart 10B1.1. New Hires

Section 10B1.1-1. Examples of Coverage Determinations for New Hires

A. Organization of Subchapter

This Subchapter has three parts.

Part Name of Part Page

10B1 New Hires 10-49 

10B2 Transfers and Conversions 10-53 

10B3 Rehires 10-70 

B. Description 

The illustrations that follow show different situations involving newly hired employees. 

Example 1: First Hire, FERS Coverage

1. Description

The following example illustrates FERS coverage upon initial appointment. 

2. Checklist History

Follows a 

Type of 

Action

Appointment Coverage Effective Dates Break in 

Service?

Eligible to 

Elect 

FERS?

From To

First Hired Career Cond. CSRS (1) 8/1/1988 NA ? 

Total Service None 

3. Determination Procedure: New Hire

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

1 Does employee have prior non-Federal service that was 

covered by or creditable under CSRS? (See section 

10A1.3-3B) 

Go to Step 2 Go to Step 5 

2 Does employee meet 5 year test? (See section 10A1.1-

2I) 

Go to Step 3 Skip to Step 5

3 Is current appointment excluded from CSRS? (See 

section 10A1.3-3) 

Go to Step 4 Coverage under 

CSRS Offset 

with option to 
10-50 Chapter 10. Coverage

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

elect FERS 

4 Is current appointment excluded from FERS? (See 

section 10A1.3-5) 

Coverage under 

FICA only 

(unless not 

applicable) 

Covered by 

FICA with 

option to elect 

FERS 

5 Is appointment excluded from FERS by law or 

regulation? (See section 10A1.3-5) 

Coverage under 

FICA only 

(unless not 

applicable) 

Go to Step 6

6. Is appointment effective before January 1, 2013? Coverage Under 

FERS

Go to Step 7 

7. Is appointment effective on or after January 1, 2013, and 

before January 1, 2014? 

Coverage Under 

FERS-RAE

Coverage Under 

FERS-FRAE

4. Conclusion

Since the employee has no prior Federal service, or service that is creditable under the CSRS, and 

the appointment is effective prior to 01-01-2013, the employee has FERS coverage

Example 2: First Hire, Prior Non-Federal CSRS Coverage 

1. Description

The following example illustrates CSRS Offset coverage upon initial Federal appointment 

because of prior non-Federal CSRS coverage.

2. Checklist History

Type of 

Action

Appointment Coverage Effective Dates Follows a 

Break in 

Service?

Eligible to 

Elect 

FERS?

From To

DC Govt Career CSRS 6/1/1982 7/30/1987 NA NA

First Hired Career Cond. ? 4/1/1988 YES ? 

Total 

Service

5 years 2 months 

3. Coverage Determination Table 

New Hires (presumes no prior Federal service under FERS or any other retirement system)

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

1 Does employee have prior non-Federal service that was Go to Step 2 Go to Step 5 
Chapter 10. Coverage 10-51

covered by or creditable under CSRS? (See section 

10A1.3-3B) 

2 Does employee meet 5 year test? (See section 10A1.1-

2I) 

Go to Step 3 Skip to Step 5

3 Is current appointment excluded from CSRS? (See 

section 10A1.3-3) 

Go to Step 4 Coverage under 

CSRS Offset 

with option to 

elect FERS 

4 Is current appointment excluded from FERS? (See 

section 10A1.3-5) 

Coverage under 

FICA only 

(unless not 

applicable) 

Covered by 

FICA with 

option to elect 

FERS 

5 Is appointment excluded from FERS by law or 

regulation? (See section 10A1.3-5) 

Coverage under 

FICA only 

(unless not 

applicable) 

Go to Step 6

6. Is appointment effective before January 1, 2013? Coverage Under 

FERS

Go to Step 7 

7. Is appointment effective on or after January 1, 2013, and 

before January 1, 2014? 

Coverage Under 

FERS-RAE

Coverage Under 

FERS-FRAE

4. Conclusion

Even though employee has no prior Federal service, he or she has more than 5 years of creditable 

civilian service as of the separation from the DC Government which was covered under CSRS. 

Therefore, he or she is excluded from automatic FERS coverage. CSRS Offset applies because DC 

Government service doesn't count in determining continued exclusion for OASDI., (First federal 

appointment is after 12-31 1986). Employee is eligible to elect FERS. (See Chapter 12, Special 

Coverage Rules, for more information.)

Example 3: First Hire, Prior Military Service

1. Description

The following example illustrates FERS coverage upon initial Federal civilian appointment, even 

though person has prior military service. 

2. Checklist History

Service history: Military service from 8/1/68 to 7/31/88

Type of 

Action 

Appointment Coverage Effective Dates Follows a 

Break in 

Service?

Eligible to 

Elect 

FERS?

From To
10-52 Chapter 10. Coverage

First Hired Career Cond. ? 8/15/1988 NA ? 

Total Service None 

3. Coverage Determination Table 

Determination Procedure: New Hire

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

1 Does employee have prior non-Federal service that was 

covered by or creditable under CSRS? (See section 

10A1.3-3B) 

Go to Step 2 Go to Step 5 

2 Does employee meet 5 year test? (See section 10A1.1-

2I) 

Go to Step 3 Skip to Step 5

3 Is current appointment excluded from CSRS? (See 

section 10A1.3-3) 

Go to Step 4 Coverage under 

CSRS Offset 

with option to 

elect FERS 

4 Is current appointment excluded from FERS? (See 

section 10A1.3-5) Coverage under 

FICA only (unless 

not applicable) 

Covered by FICA 

with option to 

elect FERS 

5 Is appointment excluded from FERS by law or 

regulation? (See section 10A1.3-5) 

Coverage under 

FICA only (unless 

not applicable) 

Go to Step 6

6. Is appointment effective before January 1, 2013? Coverage Under 

FERS

Go to Step 7

7. Is appointment effective on or after January 1, 2013, 

and before January 1, 2014?

Coverage Under 

FERS-RAE

Coverage Under 

FERS-FRAE

4. Conclusion

Even though employee has 20 years of military service, this is the first civilian service. 

Therefore, the employee has automatic FERS coverage
Chapter 10. Coverage 10-53

Part 10B2 Transfers and Conversions 

SubPart 10B2.1: Transfers and Conversions. 

Section 10B2.1-1 Examples of Coverage Determinations for Transfers and Conversions 

A. Description

This subsection illustrates six different coverage scenarios for transfers and conversions:

Example 1: Transfer With No Change in Coverage 

1. Description

The following example illustrates a transfer situation with no change in retirement coverage.

2. Checklist History

Type of 

Action

Appointment Coverage Effective Dates Follows a 

Break in 

Service?

Eligible to 

Elect 

FERS?

From To

First Hired Career Cond. CSRS (1) 12/1/1982 11/30/1985 NA NA

Change in 

Tenure

Career CSRS (1) 12/1/1985 7/18/1987 NO 7/1/87 - 

7/18/87 

Transfer Career ? 7/19/1987 NO ? 

Total 

Service

4 years 7 months 

3. Coverage Determination Table 

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

1 Does employee qualify as a senior official? (See section 

10A1.3-6C) 

See Chapter 101 Go to Step 2 

2 Was last employment under another Federal retirement 

system (for example, FSRS)? 

Go to Step 5 Go to Step 3 

3 

Was last appointment covered by OASDI (FICA) only? 

Go to Step 4 Employee 

retains previous 

coverage 

4 Did employee previously have FERS (i.e. FERS/FERSRAE/FERS-FRAE) coverage? Go to Step 11 Go to Step 5 

5 Was employee first hired after December 31, 1983? Go to Step 20 Go to Step 6 

6 Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 year or 

intermittent and not career or career conditional? 

Employee 

covered under 

FICA only 

Go to Step 7 

7 Is the current appointment excluded from CSRS by law 

or regulation? (See section 10A1.3-3) 

Go to Step 8 Go to Step 9 

8 Does employee meet the 5-year test? (See section Employee Go to Step 21
10-54 Chapter 10. Coverage

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

10A1.1-2I) covered under 

FICA only with 

option to elect 

FERS 

9 Is current appointment now subject to FICA? (See 

section 10A1.3-6) 

Go to Step 10 Employee 

covered under 

CSRS with 

option to elect 

FERS* 

10 Does employee meet the 5-year test? (See section 

10A1.1-2I) 

Employee 

covered under 

CSRS Offset with 

option to elect 

FERS 

Go to Step 21

11. Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 year or 

intermittent and not career or career conditional (that 

is, excluded from FERS)? 

Employee 

covered under 

FICA only 

Go to Step 12

12 Is current appointment effective before January 1, 

2013?

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 13

13 Was employee covered under FERS on December 31, 

2012?

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 14

14 Was employee on December 31, 2012, performing 

civilian service that was creditable or potentially 

creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace Corp volunteer service 

or service covered under another retirement system for 

which credit may be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign 

Service, Federal Reserve, or CIARDS

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 15

15 Does employee as of December 31, 2012, have at least 

5-years of creditable or potentially creditable service 

under FERS?

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 16

16. Is current appointment effective on or after January 1, 

2013, and before January 1, 2014?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Go to Step 17

17. Was employee covered under FERS-RAE on December 

31, 2013?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Go to Step 18

18. Was employee on December 31, 2013, performing 

civilian service that was creditable or potentially 

creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace Corp volunteer service 

or service covered under another retirement system for 

which credit may be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign 

Service, Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Go to Step 19
Chapter 10. Coverage 10-55

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

19. Does employee as of December 31, 2013, have at least 

5-years of creditable or potentially creditable service 

under FERS?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-FRAE

20 Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 year or 

intermittent and not career or career conditional (that 

is, excluded from FERS)? 

Employee 

covered under 

FICA only 

Go to Step 21

21. Is current appointment effective before 

January 1, 2013?

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 22

22 Was employee on December 31, 2012, performing 

civilian service that was creditable or potentially 

creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace Corp volunteer service 

or service covered under another retirement system for 

which credit may be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign 

Service, Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 23

23 Does employee as of December 31, 2012, have at least 

5-years of creditable or potentially creditable service 

under FERS?

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 24

24 Is current appointment effective on or after January 1, 

2013, and before January 1, 2014?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Go to Step 25

25 Was employee on December 31, 2013, performing 

civilian service that was creditable or potentially 

creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace Corp volunteer service 

or service covered under another retirement system for 

which credit may be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign 

Service, Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Go to Step 26

26 Does employee as of December 31, 2013, have at least 

5-years of creditable or potentially creditable service 

under FERS?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-FRAE

4. Conclusion

Since the person transferred with no break in service to an appointment subject to retirement 

coverage, this employee remains under CSRS at the full 7 percent rate. He or she also continues to 

be eligible to elect FERS for the remainder of the 6-month open season. 

Example 2: Conversion to Different Appointment, When Employee Has More Than 5 Years’ 

Service

1. Description

The following example illustrates a coverage determination after an employee's appointment 

changed from one that did not confer coverage to one that does (that is, temporary to careerconditional) after more than 5 years of service as of December 31, 1986. 
10-56 Chapter 10. Coverage

2. Checklist History

Type of 

Action

Appointment Coverage Effective Dates Follows a 

Break in 

Service?

Eligible to 

Elect 

FERS?

From To

First Hired Indefinite FICA only 

(2) 

4/1/1977 12/31/1982 NA NA

Rehire Temporary FICA only 

(2) 

9/1/1986 8/30/1987 YES NA

Conversion Career-cond. ? 9/1/1987 NO ? 

Total 

Service

6 years 9 months 

3. Coverage Determination Table

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

1 Does employee qualify as a senior official? (See section 

10A1.3-6C) 

See Chapter 101 Go to Step 2 

2 Was last employment under another Federal retirement 

system (for example, FSRS)? 

Go to Step 5 Go to Step 3 

3 

Was last appointment covered by OASDI (FICA) only? 

Go to Step 4 Employee 

retains previous 

coverage 

4 Did employee previously have FERS (i.e. FERS/FERSRAE/FERS-FRAE) coverage? Go to Step 11 Go to Step 5 

5 Was employee first hired after December 31, 1983? Go to Step 20 Go to Step 6 

6 Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 year or 

intermittent and not career or career conditional? 

Employee 

covered under 

FICA only 

Go to Step 7 

7 Is the current appointment excluded from CSRS by law 

or regulation? (See section 10A1.3-3) 

Go to Step 8 Go to Step 9 

8 Does employee meet the 5-year test? (See section 

10A1.1-2I) 

Employee 

covered under 

FICA only with 

option to elect 

FERS 

Go to Step 21

9 Is current appointment now subject to FICA? (See 

section 10A1.3-6) 

Go to Step 10 Employee 

covered under 

CSRS with 

option to elect 

FERS* 

10 Does employee meet the 5-year test? (See section 

10A1.1-2I) 

Employee 

covered under 

CSRS Offset with 

option to elect 

FERS 

Go to Step 21
Chapter 10. Coverage 10-57

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

11. Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 year or 

intermittent and not career or career conditional (that 

is, excluded from FERS)? 

Employee 

covered under 

FICA only 

Go to Step 12

12 Is current appointment effective before January 1, 

2013?

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 13

13 Was employee covered under FERS on December 31, 

2012?

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 14

14 Was employee on December 31, 2012, performing 

civilian service that was creditable or potentially 

creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace Corp volunteer 

service or service covered under another retirement 

system for which credit may be transferred to FERS, 

such as Foreign Service, Federal Reserve, or CIARDS

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 15

15 Does employee as of December 31, 2012, have at least 

5-years of creditable or potentially creditable service 

under FERS?

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 16

16. Is current appointment effective on or after January 1, 

2013, and before January 1, 2014?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Go to Step 17

17. Was employee covered under FERS-RAE on December 

31, 2013?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Go to Step 18

18. Was employee on December 31, 2013, performing 

civilian service that was creditable or potentially 

creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace Corp volunteer 

service or service covered under another retirement 

system for which credit may be transferred to FERS, 

such as Foreign Service, Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Go to Step 19

19. Does employee as of December 31, 2013, have at least 

5-years of creditable or potentially creditable service 

under FERS?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-FRAE

20 Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 year or 

intermittent and not career or career conditional (that 

is, excluded from FERS)? 

Employee 

covered under 

FICA only 

Go to Step 21

21. Is current appointment effective before 

January 1, 2013?

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 22

22 Was employee on December 31, 2012, performing 

civilian service that was creditable or potentially 

creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace Corp volunteer 

service or service covered under another retirement 

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 23
10-58 Chapter 10. Coverage

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

system for which credit may be transferred to FERS, 

such as Foreign Service, Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

23 Does employee as of December 31, 2012, have at least 

5-years of creditable or potentially creditable service 

under FERS?

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 24

24 Is current appointment effective on or after January 1, 

2013, and before January 1, 2014?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Go to Step 25

25 Was employee on December 31, 2013, performing 

civilian service that was creditable or potentially 

creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace Corp volunteer 

service or service covered under another retirement 

system for which credit may be transferred to FERS, 

such as Foreign Service, Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Go to Step 26

26 Does employee as of December 31, 2013, have at least 

5-years of creditable or potentially creditable service 

under FERS?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-FRAE

4. Conclusion

As a result of the Conner Decision, the employee is in CSRS Offset because he or she had 5 years 

of creditable civilian service as of December 31, 1986. He or she has a 6-month opportunity to elect 

FERS.

Example 3: Change in Type of Appointment, When Employee Has Less Than 5 Years’ 

Service 

1. Description

The following example illustrates a coverage determination after a change in agencies from an 

appointment that did not confer coverage to one that does (that is, temporary to career-conditional), 

with less than 5 years creditable service.

2. Checklist History

Type of Action Appointment Coverage Effective Dates Follows a 

Break in 

Service?

Eligible 

to Elect 

FERS?

From To

First Hired Temporary FICA only (2) 3/1/1991 2/29/1992 NA NA

Appointment in 

another agency

Career Cond. ? 3/1/1992 ----- ---- ? 

Total Service 1 year
Chapter 10. Coverage 10-59

3. Coverage Determination Table

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

1 Does employee qualify as a senior official? (See section 

10A1.3-6C) 

See Chapter 101 Go to Step 2 

2 Was last employment under another Federal retirement 

system (for example, FSRS)? 

Go to Step 5 Go to Step 3 

3 

Was last appointment covered by OASDI (FICA) only? 

Go to Step 4 Employee 

retains previous 

coverage 

4 Did employee previously have FERS (i.e. FERS/FERSRAE/FERS-FRAE) coverage? Go to Step 11 Go to Step 5 

5 Was employee first hired after December 31, 1983? Go to Step 20 Go to Step 6 

6 Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 year or 

intermittent and not career or career conditional? 

Employee 

covered under 

FICA only 

Go to Step 7 

7 Is the current appointment excluded from CSRS by law 

or regulation? (See section 10A1.3-3) 

Go to Step 8 Go to Step 9 

8 Does employee meet the 5-year test? (See section 

10A1.1-2I) 

Employee 

covered under 

FICA only with 

option to elect 

FERS 

Go to Step 21

9 Is current appointment now subject to FICA? (See 

section 10A1.3-6) 

Go to Step 10 Employee 

covered under 

CSRS with 

option to elect 

FERS* 

10 Does employee meet the 5-year test? (See section 

10A1.1-2I) 

Employee 

covered under 

CSRS Offset with 

option to elect 

FERS 

Go to Step 21

11. Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 year or 

intermittent and not career or career conditional (that 

is, excluded from FERS)? 

Employee 

covered under 

FICA only 

Go to Step 12

12 Is current appointment effective before January 1, 

2013?

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 13

13 Was employee covered under FERS on December 31, 

2012?

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 14

14 Was employee on December 31, 2012, performing 

civilian service that was creditable or potentially 

Employee 

covered under 

Go to Step 15
10-60 Chapter 10. Coverage

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace Corp volunteer 

service or service covered under another retirement 

system for which credit may be transferred to FERS, 

such as Foreign Service, Federal Reserve, or CIARDS

FERS

15 Does employee as of December 31, 2012, have at least 

5-years of creditable or potentially creditable service 

under FERS?

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 16

16. Is current appointment effective on or after January 1, 

2013, and before January 1, 2014?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Go to Step 17

17. Was employee covered under FERS-RAE on December 

31, 2013?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Go to Step 18

18. Was employee on December 31, 2013, performing 

civilian service that was creditable or potentially 

creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace Corp volunteer 

service or service covered under another retirement 

system for which credit may be transferred to FERS, 

such as Foreign Service, Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Go to Step 19

19. Does employee as of December 31, 2013, have at least 

5-years of creditable or potentially creditable service 

under FERS?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-FRAE

20 Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 year or 

intermittent and not career or career conditional (that 

is, excluded from FERS)? 

Employee 

covered under 

FICA only 

Go to Step 21

21. Is current appointment effective before 

January 1, 2013?

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 22

22 Was employee on December 31, 2012, performing 

civilian service that was creditable or potentially 

creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace Corp volunteer 

service or service covered under another retirement 

system for which credit may be transferred to FERS, 

such as Foreign Service, Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 23

23 Does employee as of December 31, 2012, have at least 

5-years of creditable or potentially creditable service 

under FERS?

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 24

24 Is current appointment effective on or after January 1, 

2013, and before January 1, 2014?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Go to Step 25

25 Was employee on December 31, 2013, performing 

civilian service that was creditable or potentially 

creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace Corp volunteer 

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Go to Step 26
Chapter 10. Coverage 10-61

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

service or service covered under another retirement 

system for which credit may be transferred to FERS, 

such as Foreign Service, Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

26 Does employee as of December 31, 2013, have at least 

5-years of creditable or potentially creditable service 

under FERS?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-FRAE

4. Conclusion

Employee is automatically covered by FERS.

Example 4: Continuity of Coverage When Employee Accepts an Excluded Appointment with

no Break in Service 

1. Description

The following example illustrates a conversion of an employee who has been covered under 

FERS to an appointment under which he or she would ordinarily not be covered, but is covered 

because there was no break in service of over 3 days.

2. Checklist History

Type of 

Action

Appointment Coverage Effective Dates Follows a 

Break in 

Service?

Eligible 

to Elect 

FERS?

From To

First Hired Career cond. FERS(K) 2/1/1987 7/31/1989 NA NA

Conversion Temporary ? 8/3/1989 ----- NO ? 

Total Service 2 years 6 months 

3. Coverage Determination Table

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

1 Does employee qualify as a senior official? (See section 

10A1.3-6C) 

See Chapter 101 Go to Step 2 

2 Was last employment under another Federal retirement 

system (for example, FSRS)? 

Go to Step 5 Go to Step 3 

3 

Was last appointment covered by OASDI (FICA) only? 

Go to Step 4 Employee 

retains previous 

coverage 

4 Did employee previously have FERS (i.e. FERS/FERSRAE/FERS-FRAE) coverage? Go to Step 11 Go to Step 5 

5 Was employee first hired after December 31, 1983? Go to Step 20 Go to Step 6 

6 Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 year or 

intermittent and not career or career conditional? 

Employee 

covered under 

FICA only 

Go to Step 7 

7 Is the current appointment excluded from CSRS by law Go to Step 8 Go to Step 9 
10-62 Chapter 10. Coverage

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

or regulation? (See section 10A1.3-3) 

8 Does employee meet the 5-year test? (See section 

10A1.1-2I) 

Employee 

covered under 

FICA only with 

option to elect 

FERS 

Go to Step 21

9 Is current appointment now subject to FICA? (See 

section 10A1.3-6) 

Go to Step 10 Employee 

covered under 

CSRS with 

option to elect 

FERS* 

10 Does employee meet the 5-year test? (See section 

10A1.1-2I) 

Employee 

covered under 

CSRS Offset with 

option to elect 

FERS 

Go to Step 21

11. Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 year or 

intermittent and not career or career conditional (that 

is, excluded from FERS)? 

Employee 

covered under 

FICA only 

Go to Step 12

12 Is current appointment effective before January 1, 

2013?

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 13

13 Was employee covered under FERS on December 31, 

2012?

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 14

14 Was employee on December 31, 2012, performing 

civilian service that was creditable or potentially 

creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace Corp volunteer 

service or service covered under another retirement 

system for which credit may be transferred to FERS, 

such as Foreign Service, Federal Reserve, or CIARDS

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 15

15 Does employee as of December 31, 2012, have at least 

5-years of creditable or potentially creditable service 

under FERS?

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 16

16. Is current appointment effective on or after January 1, 

2013, and before January 1, 2014?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Go to Step 17

17. Was employee covered under FERS-RAE on December 

31, 2013?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Go to Step 18

18. Was employee on December 31, 2013, performing 

civilian service that was creditable or potentially 

creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace Corp volunteer 

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Go to Step 19
Chapter 10. Coverage 10-63

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

service or service covered under another retirement 

system for which credit may be transferred to FERS, 

such as Foreign Service, Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

19. Does employee as of December 31, 2013, have at least 

5-years of creditable or potentially creditable service 

under FERS?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-FRAE

20 Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 year or 

intermittent and not career or career conditional (that 

is, excluded from FERS)? 

Employee 

covered under 

FICA only 

Go to Step 21

21. Is current appointment effective before 

January 1, 2013?

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 22

22 Was employee on December 31, 2012, performing 

civilian service that was creditable or potentially 

creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace Corp volunteer 

service or service covered under another retirement 

system for which credit may be transferred to FERS, 

such as Foreign Service, Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 23

23 Does employee as of December 31, 2012, have at least 

5-years of creditable or potentially creditable service 

under FERS?

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 24

24 Is current appointment effective on or after January 1, 

2013, and before January 1, 2014?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Go to Step 25

25 Was employee on December 31, 2013, performing 

civilian service that was creditable or potentially 

creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace Corp volunteer 

service or service covered under another retirement 

system for which credit may be transferred to FERS, 

such as Foreign Service, Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Go to Step 26

26 Does employee as of December 31, 2013, have at least 

5-years of creditable or potentially creditable service 

under FERS?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-FRAE

4. Conclusion

Employee retains FERS coverage because break in service was only 2 days. (If the employee had 

a break of 4 days or more, the employee would have been a rehire and would have had coverage 

under FICA only.) 

Example 5: Change in Type of Appointment After a Break in Service 

1. Description

The following example illustrates coverage after more than 5 years of creditable service, but no 

covered service and a break after 12/31/86.
10-64 Chapter 10. Coverage

2. Checklist History

Type of 

Action

Appointment Coverage Effective Dates Follows a 

Break in 

Service?

Eligible 

to Elect 

FERS?

From To

First Hired Indefinite FICA (2) 4/1/1977 12/31/1982 NA NA

Rehire Temporary FICA (2) 9/1/1986 8/30/1987 YES NA

Rehire Temporary FICA (2) 10/1/1988 11/30/1988 YES NA

Conversion Career ? 12/1/1988 ----- NO ? 

Total Service 6 years 11 months 

3. Coverage Determination Table

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

1 Does employee qualify as a senior official? (See section 

10A1.3-6C) 

See Chapter 101 Go to Step 2 

2 Was last employment under another Federal retirement 

system (for example, FSRS)? 

Go to Step 5 Go to Step 3 

3 

Was last appointment covered by OASDI (FICA) only? 

Go to Step 4 Employee 

retains previous 

coverage 

4 Did employee previously have FERS (i.e. FERS/FERSRAE/FERS-FRAE) coverage? Go to Step 11 Go to Step 5 

5 Was employee first hired after December 31, 1983? Go to Step 20 Go to Step 6 

6 Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 year or 

intermittent and not career or career conditional? 

Employee 

covered under 

FICA only 

Go to Step 7 

7 Is the current appointment excluded from CSRS by law 

or regulation? (See section 10A1.3-3) 

Go to Step 8 Go to Step 9 

8 Does employee meet the 5-year test? (See section 

10A1.1-2I) 

Employee 

covered under 

FICA only with 

option to elect 

FERS 

Go to Step 21

9 Is current appointment now subject to FICA? (See 

section 10A1.3-6) 

Go to Step 10 Employee 

covered under 

CSRS with 

option to elect 

FERS* 

10 Does employee meet the 5-year test? (See section 

10A1.1-2I) 

Employee 

covered under 

CSRS Offset with 

option to elect 

FERS 

Go to Step 21
Chapter 10. Coverage 10-65

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

11. Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 year or 

intermittent and not career or career conditional (that 

is, excluded from FERS)? 

Employee 

covered under 

FICA only 

Go to Step 12

12 Is current appointment effective before January 1, 

2013?

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 13

13 Was employee covered under FERS on December 31, 

2012?

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 14

14 Was employee on December 31, 2012, performing 

civilian service that was creditable or potentially 

creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace Corp volunteer 

service or service covered under another retirement 

system for which credit may be transferred to FERS, 

such as Foreign Service, Federal Reserve, or CIARDS

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 15

15 Does employee as of December 31, 2012, have at least 

5-years of creditable or potentially creditable service 

under FERS?

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 16

16. Is current appointment effective on or after January 1, 

2013, and before January 1, 2014?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Go to Step 17

17. Was employee covered under FERS-RAE on December 

31, 2013?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Go to Step 18

18. Was employee on December 31, 2013, performing 

civilian service that was creditable or potentially 

creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace Corp volunteer 

service or service covered under another retirement 

system for which credit may be transferred to FERS, 

such as Foreign Service, Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Go to Step 19

19. Does employee as of December 31, 2013, have at least 

5-years of creditable or potentially creditable service 

under FERS?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-FRAE

20 Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 year or 

intermittent and not career or career conditional (that 

is, excluded from FERS)? 

Employee 

covered under 

FICA only 

Go to Step 21

21. Is current appointment effective before 

January 1, 2013?

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 22

22 Was employee on December 31, 2012, performing 

civilian service that was creditable or potentially 

creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace Corp volunteer 

service or service covered under another retirement 

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 23
10-66 Chapter 10. Coverage

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

system for which credit may be transferred to FERS, 

such as Foreign Service, Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

23 Does employee as of December 31, 2012, have at least 

5-years of creditable or potentially creditable service 

under FERS?

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 24

24 Is current appointment effective on or after January 1, 

2013, and before January 1, 2014?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Go to Step 25

25 Was employee on December 31, 2013, performing 

civilian service that was creditable or potentially 

creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace Corp volunteer 

service or service covered under another retirement 

system for which credit may be transferred to FERS, 

such as Foreign Service, Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Go to Step 26

26 Does employee as of December 31, 2013, have at least 

5-years of creditable or potentially creditable service 

under FERS?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-FRAE

4. Conclusion

Employee should be in CSRS Offset. He had more than 5 years civilian service as of 12/31/86. 

This is an example of an employee who gains CSRS Offset coverage as a result of the Conner 

Decision and the revised 5-year test. Since the coverage determination was originally made in 1988, 

the agency would have placed the employee in FERS, using the old 5-year test. That coverage is 

now wrong. Employee has deemed FERS coverage, unless he elects to have coverage corrected to 

CSRS Offset.

Example 6: Transfer from TVA With No Break in Service 

1. Description

The following example illustrates coverage after more than 5 years of creditable service, no 

covered service and no break after 12/31/86. 

2. Checklist History

Type of 

Action

Appointment Coverage Effective Dates Follows a 

Break in 

Service?

Eligible 

to Elect 

FERS?

From To

First Hired TVA TVA 4/1/1977 8/30/1988 NA NA

Transfer Career ? 9/1/1988 ----- NO ? 

Total Service 11 years 5 months 

3. Coverage Determination Table

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

1 Does employee qualify as a senior official? (See section See Chapter 101 Go to Step 2 
Chapter 10. Coverage 10-67

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

10A1.3-6C) 

2 Was last employment under another Federal retirement 

system (for example, FSRS)? 

Go to Step 5 Go to Step 3 

3 

Was last appointment covered by OASDI (FICA) only? 

Go to Step 4 Employee 

retains previous 

coverage 

4 Did employee previously have FERS (i.e. FERS/FERSRAE/FERS-FRAE) coverage? Go to Step 11 Go to Step 5 

5 Was employee first hired after December 31, 1983? Go to Step 20 Go to Step 6 

6 Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 year or 

intermittent and not career or career conditional? 

Employee 

covered under 

FICA only 

Go to Step 7 

7 Is the current appointment excluded from CSRS by law 

or regulation? (See section 10A1.3-3) 

Go to Step 8 Go to Step 9 

8 Does employee meet the 5-year test? (See section 

10A1.1-2I) 

Employee 

covered under 

FICA only with 

option to elect 

FERS 

Go to Step 21

9 Is current appointment now subject to FICA? (See 

section 10A1.3-6) 

Go to Step 10 Employee 

covered under 

CSRS with 

option to elect 

FERS* 

10 Does employee meet the 5-year test? (See section 

10A1.1-2I) 

Employee 

covered under 

CSRS Offset with 

option to elect 

FERS 

Go to Step 21

11. Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 year or 

intermittent and not career or career conditional (that 

is, excluded from FERS)? 

Employee 

covered under 

FICA only 

Go to Step 12

12 Is current appointment effective before January 1, 

2013?

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 13

13 Was employee covered under FERS on December 31, 

2012?

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 14

14 Was employee on December 31, 2012, performing 

civilian service that was creditable or potentially 

creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace Corp volunteer 

service or service covered under another retirement 

system for which credit may be transferred to FERS, 

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 15
10-68 Chapter 10. Coverage

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

such as Foreign Service, Federal Reserve, or CIARDS

15 Does employee as of December 31, 2012, have at least 

5-years of creditable or potentially creditable service 

under FERS?

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 16

16. Is current appointment effective on or after January 1, 

2013, and before January 1, 2014?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Go to Step 17

17. Was employee covered under FERS-RAE on December 

31, 2013?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Go to Step 18

18. Was employee on December 31, 2013, performing 

civilian service that was creditable or potentially 

creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace Corp volunteer 

service or service covered under another retirement 

system for which credit may be transferred to FERS,

such as Foreign Service, Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Go to Step 19

19. Does employee as of December 31, 2013, have at least 

5-years of creditable or potentially creditable service 

under FERS?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-FRAE

20 Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 year or 

intermittent and not career or career conditional (that 

is, excluded from FERS)? 

Employee 

covered under 

FICA only 

Go to Step 21

21. Is current appointment effective before 

January 1, 2013?

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 22

22 Was employee on December 31, 2012, performing 

civilian service that was creditable or potentially 

creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace Corp volunteer

service or service covered under another retirement 

system for which credit may be transferred to FERS, 

such as Foreign Service, Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 23

23 Does employee as of December 31, 2012, have at least 

5-years of creditable or potentially creditable service 

under FERS?

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 24

24 Is current appointment effective on or after January 1, 

2013, and before January 1, 2014?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Go to Step 25

25 Was employee on December 31, 2013, performing 

civilian service that was creditable or potentially 

creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace Corp volunteer 

service or service covered under another retirement 

system for which credit may be transferred to FERS, 

such as Foreign Service, Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Go to Step 26
Chapter 10. Coverage 10-69

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

26 Does employee as of December 31, 2013, have at least 

5-years of creditable or potentially creditable service 

under FERS?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-FRAE

4. Conclusion

Employee is in CSRS Offset. He needed only 5 years of creditable service as of 12/31/86 to meet 

the 5-year test. All TVA service is potentially creditable under CSRS, and the employee has a future 

CSRS annuity component if he waives his right to TVA benefits. If he had had a break of more than 

3 days after 12/31/86, he would still meet the 5-year test. As a result of the decision in Conner v. 

OPM, employees with a break in service can meet the 5-year test if they have 5 years of civilian 

service on 12/31/86, even if they had no prior coverage under CSRS or FSRS.
10-70 Chapter 10. Coverage

Part 10B3 Rehires 

SubPart 10B3.1: Rehires.

A. Description

The illustrations that follow show fourteen different situations involving rehires: 

Example 1: Change in Social Security and Retirement Coverage 

1. Description

This example illustrates how a break in service of over 365 days, after the 1983 Social Security 

Amendments, changed retirement coverage.

2. Checklist History

Type of 

Action

Appointment Coverage Effective Dates Follows a 

Break in 

Service?

Eligible to 

Elect 

FERS?

From To

First Hired Career 

Cond. 

CSRS (1) 8/1/1983 11/30/1988 NA 7/1/87-

12/31/87 

Reinstated Career ? 10/7/1990 ----- 365+ ? 

Total 

Service

5 years 4 months 

3. Coverage Determination Table

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

1 Does employee qualify as a senior official? (See 

section 10A1.3-6C) 

See Chapter 101 Go to Step 2 

2 Did employee previously have FERS (i.e. 

FERS/FERS-RAE/FERS-FRAE) coverage? 

Go to Step 10 Go to Step 3 

3 Was employee first hired after December 31, 

1983? 

Go to Step 9 Go to Step 4 

4 Is current appointment temporary NTE 1 year or 

intermittent and not career or careerconditional? 

Coverage under FICA 

only 

Go to Step 5 

5 Is employee's current appointment excluded 

from CSRS by law or regulation? (See section 

10A1.3-3) 

Go to Step 6 Go to Step 7 

6 Does employee meet 5-year test? (See section 

10A1.1-2I) 

FICA only with option 

to elect FERS 

Go to Step 19

7 Is current appointment now subject to FICA? 

(See section 10A1.3-6) 

Go to Step 8 Coverage under CSRS 

with option to elect FERS 

8 Does employee meet the 5-year test? (See 

section 10A1.1-2I) 

Coverage under CSRS 

Offset with option to 

elect FERS 

Go to Step 19

9 Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 Coverage under FICA Go to Step 19
Chapter 10. Coverage 10-71

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

year or intermittent and not career or career 

conditional (that is, excluded from FERS)? 

only 

10 Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 

year or intermittent and not career or career 

conditional (that is, excluded from FERS)?

Coverage under FICA

only

Go to Step 11

11 Is current appointment effective before January 

1, 2013?

Coverage under FERS Go to Step 12

12 Was employee covered under FERS on 

December 31, 2012?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 13

13 Was employee on December 31, 2012, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 14

14 Does employee as of December 31, 2012, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 15

15 Is current appointment effective on or after 

January 1, 2013, and before January 1, 2014?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 16

16. Was employee covered under FERS-RAE on 

December 31, 2013?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 17

17. Was employee on December 31, 2013, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 18

18. Does employee as of December 31, 2013, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Employee is covered 

under FERS-FRAE

19. Is current appointment effective before January 

1, 2013?

Coverage under FERS Go to Step 20

20 Was employee on December 31, 2012, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 21

21. Does employee as of December 31, 2012, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 22
10-72 Chapter 10. Coverage

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

22 Is current appointment effective on or after 

January 1, 2013, and before January 1, 2014?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 23

23 Was employee on December 31, 2013, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 24

24 Does employee as of December 31, 2013, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Employee is covered 

under FERS-FRAE

4. Conclusion

Employee is covered by CSRS Offset. Employee has 6-month opportunity to elect FERS. 

Example 2: No Social Security or Coverage Change

1. Description

This example illustrates the effect of a break in service of less than 365 days on the employee's 

retirement status upon return to service.

2. Checklist History

Type of 

Action

Appointment Coverage Effective Dates Follows a 

Break in 

Service?

Eligible to 

Elect 

FERS?

From To

First Hired Career 

Cond. 

CSRS (1) 12/15/1983 12/14/1987 NA 7/1/1987-

12/14/1987 

Reinstated Career ? 5/1/1988 ----- YES ? 

Total 

Service

4 years

3. Coverage Determination Table

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

1 Does employee qualify as a senior official? (See 

section 10A1.3-6C) 

See Chapter 101 Go to Step 2 

2 Did employee previously have FERS (i.e. 

FERS/FERS-RAE/FERS-FRAE) coverage? 

Go to Step 10 Go to Step 3 

3 Was employee first hired after December 31, 

1983? 

Go to Step 9 Go to Step 4 

4 Is current appointment temporary NTE 1 year or 

intermittent and not career or careerconditional? 

Coverage under FICA 

only 

Go to Step 5 
Chapter 10. Coverage 10-73

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

5 Is employee's current appointment excluded 

from CSRS by law or regulation? (See section 

10A1.3-3) 

Go to Step 6 Go to Step 7 

6 Does employee meet 5-year test? (See section 

10A1.1-2I) 

FICA only with option 

to elect FERS 

Go to Step 19

7 Is current appointment now subject to FICA? 

(See section 10A1.3-6) 

Go to Step 8 Coverage under CSRS 

with option to elect FERS 

8 Does employee meet the 5-year test? (See 

section 10A1.1-2I) 

Coverage under CSRS 

Offset with option to 

elect FERS 

Go to Step 19

9 Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 

year or intermittent and not career or career 

conditional (that is, excluded from FERS)? 

Coverage under FICA 

only 

Go to Step 19

10 Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 

year or intermittent and not career or career 

conditional (that is, excluded from FERS)?

Coverage under FICA

only

Go to Step 11

11 Is current appointment effective before January 

1, 2013?

Coverage under FERS Go to Step 12

12 Was employee covered under FERS on 

December 31, 2012?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 13

13 Was employee on December 31, 2012, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 14

14 Does employee as of December 31, 2012, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 15

15 Is current appointment effective on or after 

January 1, 2013, and before January 1, 2014?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 16

16. Was employee covered under FERS-RAE on 

December 31, 2013?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 17

17. Was employee on December 31, 2013, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 18

18. Does employee as of December 31, 2013, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Employee is covered 

under FERS-FRAE

19. Is current appointment effective before January Coverage under FERS Go to Step 20
10-74 Chapter 10. Coverage

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

1, 2013?

20 Was employee on December 31, 2012, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 21

21. Does employee as of December 31, 2012, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 22

22 Is current appointment effective on or after 

January 1, 2013, and before January 1, 2014?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 23

23 Was employee on December 31, 2013, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 24

24 Does employee as of December 31, 2013, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Employee is covered 

under FERS-FRAE

4. Conclusion

Employee is still exempt from OASDI due to the fact that the break in Federal CSRS only 

coverage is less than 365 days, and, therefore, correctly remains under CSRS at the full 7 percent 

deduction rate. Employee has a 6-month opportunity to elect FERS. 

Example 3: Automatic Conversion to FERS 

1. Description

This example illustrates retirement status when a rehired employee's previous service was less 

than 5 years. 

2. Checklist History

Type of 

Action

Appointment Coverage Effective Dates Follows a 

Break in 

Service?

Eligible 

to Elect 

FERS?

From To

First Hired Temporary FICA 

only (2) 

12/27/1983 5/30/1984 NA NA

Conversion Career Cond. CSRS 

Interim 

6/1/1984 12/31/1986 NA NA
Chapter 10. Coverage 10-75

(C) 

Reinstatement Career Cond. ? 4/1/1988 ----- 365+ ? 

Total Service 3 years

3. Coverage Determination Table

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

1 Does employee qualify as a senior official? (See 

section 10A1.3-6C) 

See Chapter 101 Go to Step 2 

2 Did employee previously have FERS (i.e. 

FERS/FERS-RAE/FERS-FRAE) coverage? 

Go to Step 10 Go to Step 3 

3 Was employee first hired after December 31, 

1983? 

Go to Step 9 Go to Step 4 

4 Is current appointment temporary NTE 1 year or 

intermittent and not career or careerconditional? 

Coverage under FICA 

only 

Go to Step 5 

5 Is employee's current appointment excluded 

from CSRS by law or regulation? (See section 

10A1.3-3) 

Go to Step 6 Go to Step 7 

6 Does employee meet 5-year test? (See section 

10A1.1-2I) 

FICA only with option 

to elect FERS 

Go to Step 19

7 Is current appointment now subject to FICA? 

(See section 10A1.3-6) 

Go to Step 8 Coverage under CSRS 

with option to elect FERS 

8 Does employee meet the 5-year test? (See 

section 10A1.1-2I) 

Coverage under CSRS 

Offset with option to 

elect FERS 

Go to Step 19

9 Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 

year or intermittent and not career or career 

conditional (that is, excluded from FERS)? 

Coverage under FICA 

only 

Go to Step 19

10 Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 

year or intermittent and not career or career 

conditional (that is, excluded from FERS)?

Coverage under FICA

only

Go to Step 11

11 Is current appointment effective before January 

1, 2013?

Coverage under FERS Go to Step 12

12 Was employee covered under FERS on 

December 31, 2012?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 13

13 Was employee on December 31, 2012, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 14

14 Does employee as of December 31, 2012, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 15
10-76 Chapter 10. Coverage

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

15 Is current appointment effective on or after 

January 1, 2013, and before January 1, 2014?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 16

16. Was employee covered under FERS-RAE on 

December 31, 2013?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 17

17. Was employee on December 31, 2013, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 18

18. Does employee as of December 31, 2013, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Employee is covered 

under FERS-FRAE

19. Is current appointment effective before January 

1, 2013?

Coverage under FERS Go to Step 20

20 Was employee on December 31, 2012, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 21

21. Does employee as of December 31, 2012, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 22

22 Is current appointment effective on or after 

January 1, 2013, and before January 1, 2014?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 23

23 Was employee on December 31, 2013, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 24

24 Does employee as of December 31, 2013, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Employee is covered 

under FERS-FRAE

4. Conclusion

Employee had less than 5 years of creditable service, so was therefore automatically covered by 

FERS when he or she was rehired.
Chapter 10. Coverage 10-77

Example 4: Period of Noncovered Service 

1. Description

This example illustrates a case where the employee has previous covered service followed by a 

period of noncovered service. 

2. Checklist History

Type of 

Action

Appointment Coverage Effective Dates Follows a 

Break in 

Service?

Eligible 

to Elect 

FERS?

From To

First Hired Temporary CSRS (1) 5/1/1971 4/30/1977 NA NA

Rehire Temporary 

(C) 

FICA only 

(2) 

7/1/1987 12/30/1987 365+ NO

Reinstatement Career ? 8/8/1988 ----- 3+ ? 

Total Service 6 years 6 months 

3. Coverage Determination Table

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

1 Does employee qualify as a senior official? (See 

section 10A1.3-6C) 

See Chapter 101 Go to Step 2 

2 Did employee previously have FERS (i.e. 

FERS/FERS-RAE/FERS-FRAE) coverage? 

Go to Step 10 Go to Step 3 

3 Was employee first hired after December 31, 

1983? 

Go to Step 9 Go to Step 4 

4 Is current appointment temporary NTE 1 year or 

intermittent and not career or careerconditional? 

Coverage under FICA 

only 

Go to Step 5 

5 Is employee's current appointment excluded 

from CSRS by law or regulation? (See section 

10A1.3-3) 

Go to Step 6 Go to Step 7 

6 Does employee meet 5-year test? (See section 

10A1.1-2I) 

FICA only with option 

to elect FERS 

Go to Step 19

7 Is current appointment now subject to FICA? 

(See section 10A1.3-6) 

Go to Step 8 Coverage under CSRS 

with option to elect FERS 

8 Does employee meet the 5-year test? (See 

section 10A1.1-2I) 

Coverage under CSRS 

Offset with option to 

elect FERS 

Go to Step 19

9 Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 

year or intermittent and not career or career 

conditional (that is, excluded from FERS)? 

Coverage under FICA 

only 

Go to Step 19

10 Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 

year or intermittent and not career or career 

conditional (that is, excluded from FERS)?

Coverage under FICA

only

Go to Step 11

11 Is current appointment effective before January 

1, 2013?

Coverage under FERS Go to Step 12
10-78 Chapter 10. Coverage

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

12 Was employee covered under FERS on 

December 31, 2012?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 13

13 Was employee on December 31, 2012, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 14

14 Does employee as of December 31, 2012, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 15

15 Is current appointment effective on or after 

January 1, 2013, and before January 1, 2014?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 16

16. Was employee covered under FERS-RAE on 

December 31, 2013?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 17

17. Was employee on December 31, 2013, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 18

18. Does employee as of December 31, 2013, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Employee is covered 

under FERS-FRAE

19. Is current appointment effective before January 

1, 2013?

Coverage under FERS Go to Step 20

20 Was employee on December 31, 2012, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 21

21. Does employee as of December 31, 2012, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 22

22 Is current appointment effective on or after 

January 1, 2013, and before January 1, 2014?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 23
Chapter 10. Coverage 10-79

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

23 Was employee on December 31, 2013, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 24

24 Does employee as of December 31, 2013, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Employee is covered 

under FERS-FRAE

4. Conclusion

Employee is covered by CSRS Offset because he or she met the 5-year test and had a break in 

CSRS coverage that exceeds 365 days. The employee now has a 6-month opportunity to elect 

FERS.

Example 5: Previous FERS Service 

1. Description

This example illustrates an employee first hired after December 31, 1983, who has previous 

FERS coverage.

2. Checklist History

Type of 

Action

Appointment Coverage Effective Dates Follows 

a Break 

in 

Service?

Eligible 

to Elect 

FERS?

From To

First Hired Career Cond. CSRS Interim 

(C) 

11/22/1984 12/31/1986 NA NA

Change in 

Retirement 

Plan

(No Change) FERS (K) 1/1/1987 12/21/1987 NA NA

Reinstatement Career ? 7/3/1988 ----- 4+ ? 

Total Service 3 years 1 month 

3. Coverage Determination Table

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

1 Does employee qualify as a senior official? (See 

section 10A1.3-6C) 

See Chapter 101 Go to Step 2 

2 Did employee previously have FERS (i.e. 

FERS/FERS-RAE/FERS-FRAE) coverage? 

Go to Step 10 Go to Step 3 

3 Was employee first hired after December 31, 

1983? 

Go to Step 9 Go to Step 4 

4 Is current appointment temporary NTE 1 year or 

intermittent and not career or careerCoverage under FICA only 

Go to Step 5 
10-80 Chapter 10. Coverage

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

conditional? 

5 Is employee's current appointment excluded 

from CSRS by law or regulation? (See section 

10A1.3-3) 

Go to Step 6 Go to Step 7 

6 Does employee meet 5-year test? (See section 

10A1.1-2I) 

FICA only with option 

to elect FERS 

Go to Step 19

7 Is current appointment now subject to FICA? 

(See section 10A1.3-6) 

Go to Step 8 Coverage under CSRS 

with option to elect FERS 

8 Does employee meet the 5-year test? (See 

section 10A1.1-2I) 

Coverage under CSRS 

Offset with option to 

elect FERS 

Go to Step 19

9 Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 

year or intermittent and not career or career 

conditional (that is, excluded from FERS)? 

Coverage under FICA 

only 

Go to Step 19

10 Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 

year or intermittent and not career or career 

conditional (that is, excluded from FERS)?

Coverage under FICA

only

Go to Step 11

11 Is current appointment effective before January 

1, 2013?

Coverage under FERS Go to Step 12

12 Was employee covered under FERS on 

December 31, 2012?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 13

13 Was employee on December 31, 2012, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 14

14 Does employee as of December 31, 2012, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 15

15 Is current appointment effective on or after 

January 1, 2013, and before January 1, 2014?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 16

16. Was employee covered under FERS-RAE on 

December 31, 2013?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 17

17. Was employee on December 31, 2013, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 18

18. Does employee as of December 31, 2013, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Employee is covered 

under FERS-FRAE

19. Is current appointment effective before January Coverage under FERS Go to Step 20
Chapter 10. Coverage 10-81

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

1, 2013?

20 Was employee on December 31, 2012, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 21

21. Does employee as of December 31, 2012, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 22

22 Is current appointment effective on or after 

January 1, 2013, and before January 1, 2014?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 23

23 Was employee on December 31, 2013, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 24

24 Does employee as of December 31, 2013, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Employee is covered 

under FERS-FRAE

4. Conclusion

Employee remains in FERS.

Example 6: Position Excluded from CSRS Coverage 

1. Description

This example illustrates a case where the employee is rehired under an appointment excluded by 

regulation from CSRS, but not from FERS. 

2. Checklist History

Type of 

Action

Appointment Coverage Effective Dates Follows a 

Break in 

Service?

Eligible 

to Elect 

FERS?

From To

First Hired Career Cond. CSRS (1) 8/1/1967 1/1/1978 NA NA

Rehire TAPER 

Appointment 

? 1/2/1989 ----- 365+ ? 

Total Service 10 years 5 months 
10-82 Chapter 10. Coverage

3. Coverage Determination Table

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

1 Does employee qualify as a senior official? (See 

section 10A1.3-6C) 

See Chapter 101 Go to Step 2 

2 Did employee previously have FERS (i.e. 

FERS/FERS-RAE/FERS-FRAE) coverage? 

Go to Step 10 Go to Step 3 

3 Was employee first hired after December 31, 

1983? 

Go to Step 9 Go to Step 4 

4 Is current appointment temporary NTE 1 year or 

intermittent and not career or careerconditional? 

Coverage under FICA 

only 

Go to Step 5 

5 Is employee's current appointment excluded 

from CSRS by law or regulation? (See section 

10A1.3-3) 

Go to Step 6 Go to Step 7 

6 Does employee meet 5-year test? (See section 

10A1.1-2I) 

FICA only with option 

to elect FERS 

Go to Step 19

7 Is current appointment now subject to FICA? 

(See section 10A1.3-6) 

Go to Step 8 Coverage under CSRS 

with option to elect FERS 

8 Does employee meet the 5-year test? (See 

section 10A1.1-2I) 

Coverage under CSRS 

Offset with option to 

elect FERS 

Go to Step 19

9 Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 

year or intermittent and not career or career 

conditional (that is, excluded from FERS)? 

Coverage under FICA 

only 

Go to Step 19

10 Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 

year or intermittent and not career or career 

conditional (that is, excluded from FERS)?

Coverage under FICA

only

Go to Step 11

11 Is current appointment effective before January 

1, 2013?

Coverage under FERS Go to Step 12

12 Was employee covered under FERS on 

December 31, 2012?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 13

13 Was employee on December 31, 2012, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 14

14 Does employee as of December 31, 2012, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 15

15 Is current appointment effective on or after 

January 1, 2013, and before January 1, 2014?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 16

16. Was employee covered under FERS-RAE on 

December 31, 2013?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 17

17. Was employee on December 31, 2013, Employee is covered Go to Step 18
Chapter 10. Coverage 10-83

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

under FERS-RAE

18. Does employee as of December 31, 2013, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Employee is covered 

under FERS-FRAE

19. Is current appointment effective before January 

1, 2013?

Coverage under FERS Go to Step 20

20 Was employee on December 31, 2012, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 21

21. Does employee as of December 31, 2012, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 22

22 Is current appointment effective on or after 

January 1, 2013, and before January 1, 2014?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 23

23 Was employee on December 31, 2013, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 24

24 Does employee as of December 31, 2013, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Employee is covered 

under FERS-FRAE

4. Conclusion

Although the employee had 5 years of creditable service as of 12/31/86, the new appointment is 

excluded from CSRS. Therefore, the employee is covered by FICA only, and the employee has a 6-

month opportunity to elect FERS. 

Example 7: Effect of FICA Rules on Non-Federal Service Under CSRS

1. Description

This example illustrates the effect of non-Federal service, which does not exclude an employee 

from FICA coverage.
10-84 Chapter 10. Coverage

2. Checklist History

Type of 

Action

Appointment Coverage Effective Dates Follows a 

Break in 

Service?

Eligible 

to Elect 

FERS?

From To

First Hired Career Cond. FICA (2) 6/1/1978 4/29/1979 NA NA

DC Govt. Career Cond. CSRS (1) 4/30/1979 1/4/1988 NO NO

Rehire Career ? 1/5/1988 ----- 365+ ? 

Total Service 9 years 7 months 

3. Coverage Determination Table

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

1 Does employee qualify as a senior official? (See 

section 10A1.3-6C) 

See Chapter 101 Go to Step 2 

2 Did employee previously have FERS (i.e. 

FERS/FERS-RAE/FERS-FRAE) coverage? 

Go to Step 10 Go to Step 3 

3 Was employee first hired after December 31, 

1983? 

Go to Step 9 Go to Step 4 

4 Is current appointment temporary NTE 1 year or 

intermittent and not career or careerconditional? 

Coverage under FICA 

only 

Go to Step 5 

5 Is employee's current appointment excluded 

from CSRS by law or regulation? (See section 

10A1.3-3) 

Go to Step 6 Go to Step 7 

6 Does employee meet 5-year test? (See section 

10A1.1-2I) 

FICA only with option 

to elect FERS 

Go to Step 19

7 Is current appointment now subject to FICA? 

(See section 10A1.3-6) 

Go to Step 8 Coverage under CSRS 

with option to elect FERS 

8 Does employee meet the 5-year test? (See 

section 10A1.1-2I) 

Coverage under CSRS 

Offset with option to 

elect FERS 

Go to Step 19

9 Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 

year or intermittent and not career or career 

conditional (that is, excluded from FERS)? 

Coverage under FICA 

only 

Go to Step 19

10 Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 

year or intermittent and not career or career 

conditional (that is, excluded from FERS)?

Coverage under FICA

only

Go to Step 11

11 Is current appointment effective before January 

1, 2013?

Coverage under FERS Go to Step 12

12 Was employee covered under FERS on 

December 31, 2012?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 13

13 Was employee on December 31, 2012, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 14
Chapter 10. Coverage 10-85

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

14 Does employee as of December 31, 2012, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 15

15 Is current appointment effective on or after 

January 1, 2013, and before January 1, 2014?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 16

16. Was employee covered under FERS-RAE on 

December 31, 2013?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 17

17. Was employee on December 31, 2013, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 18

18. Does employee as of December 31, 2013, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Employee is covered 

under FERS-FRAE

19. Is current appointment effective before January 

1, 2013?

Coverage under FERS Go to Step 20

20 Was employee on December 31, 2012, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 21

21. Does employee as of December 31, 2012, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 22

22 Is current appointment effective on or after 

January 1, 2013, and before January 1, 2014?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 23

23 Was employee on December 31, 2013, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 24

24 Does employee as of December 31, 2013, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Employee is covered 

under FERS-FRAE
10-86 Chapter 10. Coverage

4. Conclusion

Employee is covered by CSRS Offset and has 6 months in which he or she may elect FERS. The 

employee is subject to FICA coverage even though the employee moved from CSRS coverage with 

the DC Government due to the fact that the first Federal appointment was effective after 12-31-1983 

(the 5 year test would include the DC Government time, however). 

NOTE: Employee was not eligible to elect FERS while with DC Government because DC 

Government employees are excluded from FERS. (See Chapter 12 for more on DC 

Government.) 

Example 8: Effect of FERS Rules on Term, Temp Appt-PER, or Appointment that is 

Indefinite

1. Description

This example illustrates the effect of the FERS rules, which do not exclude Terms, Temp ApptPER (TAPER), and appointments that are indefinite, on retirement coverage when the employee had 

5 years of creditable civilian service as of last separation, but did not have any prior CSRS-covered 

service.

2. Checklist History

Type of 

Action

Appointment Coverage Effective Dates Follows a 

Break in 

Service?

Eligible 

to Elect 

FERS?

From To

First Hired Temporary FICA (2) 6/1/1978 4/29/1979 NA NA

Conversion Term Appt. FICA (2) 4/30/1979 3/1/1982 NO NA

Rehire Temporary FICA (2) 4/30/1982 9/30/1982 4+ NA

Rehire Career Cond. FICA (2) 2/1/1987 1/30/1988 365+ NA

Rehire Excepted 

Appt. 

(Indefinite) 

? 3/1/1988 ----- 4+ ? 

Total Service 5 years 2 months 

3. Coverage Determination Table

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

1 Does employee qualify as a senior official? (See 

section 10A1.3-6C) 

See Chapter 101 Go to Step 2 

2 Did employee previously have FERS (i.e. 

FERS/FERS-RAE/FERS-FRAE) coverage? 

Go to Step 10 Go to Step 3 

3 Was employee first hired after December 31, 

1983? 

Go to Step 9 Go to Step 4 

4 Is current appointment temporary NTE 1 year or 

intermittent and not career or careerconditional? 

Coverage under FICA 

only 

Go to Step 5 

5 Is employee's current appointment excluded Go to Step 6 Go to Step 7 
Chapter 10. Coverage 10-87

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

from CSRS by law or regulation? (See section 

10A1.3-3) 

6 Does employee meet 5-year test? (See section 

10A1.1-2I) 

FICA only with option 

to elect FERS 

Go to Step 19

7 Is current appointment now subject to FICA? 

(See section 10A1.3-6) 

Go to Step 8 Coverage under CSRS 

with option to elect FERS 

8 Does employee meet the 5-year test? (See 

section 10A1.1-2I) 

Coverage under CSRS 

Offset with option to 

elect FERS 

Go to Step 19

9 Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 

year or intermittent and not career or career 

conditional (that is, excluded from FERS)? 

Coverage under FICA 

only 

Go to Step 19

10 Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 

year or intermittent and not career or career 

conditional (that is, excluded from FERS)?

Coverage under FICA

only

Go to Step 11

11 Is current appointment effective before January 

1, 2013?

Coverage under FERS Go to Step 12

12 Was employee covered under FERS on 

December 31, 2012?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 13

13 Was employee on December 31, 2012, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 14

14 Does employee as of December 31, 2012, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 15

15 Is current appointment effective on or after 

January 1, 2013, and before January 1, 2014?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 16

16. Was employee covered under FERS-RAE on 

December 31, 2013?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 17

17. Was employee on December 31, 2013, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 18

18. Does employee as of December 31, 2013, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Employee is covered 

under FERS-FRAE

19. Is current appointment effective before January 

1, 2013?

Coverage under FERS Go to Step 20
10-88 Chapter 10. Coverage

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

20 Was employee on December 31, 2012, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 21

21. Does employee as of December 31, 2012, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 22

22 Is current appointment effective on or after 

January 1, 2013, and before January 1, 2014?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 23

23 Was employee on December 31, 2013, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 24

24 Does employee as of December 31, 2013, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Employee is covered 

under FERS-FRAE

4. Conclusion

Employee is covered by FERS, because she did not have 5 years civilian service as of 12/31/86, 

and although she had 5 years civilian service as of the last separation, she did not have prior CSRS or 

Foreign Service Retirement System coverage.

Example 9: Restoration After Separation for Military Service

1. Description

This example illustrates the effect of military service, after which the employee exercises 

restoration rights, on retirement coverage.

2. Checklist History

Type of 

Action

Appointment Coverage Effective Dates Follows a 

Break in 

Service?

Eligible 

to Elect 

FERS?

From To

First Hired Career Cond. CSRS (1) 12/15/1979 12/14/1985 NA NA

Military NA NA 12/15/1985 12/14/1987 NA NA
Chapter 10. Coverage 10-89

Restoration 

after military 

service

Career ? 12/15/1987 ----- NO ? 

Total Service 8 years

3. Coverage Determination Table

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

1 Does employee qualify as a senior official? (See 

section 10A1.3-6C) 

See Chapter 101 Go to Step 2 

2 Did employee previously have FERS (i.e. 

FERS/FERS-RAE/FERS-FRAE) coverage? 

Go to Step 10 Go to Step 3 

3 Was employee first hired after December 31, 

1983? 

Go to Step 9 Go to Step 4 

4 Is current appointment temporary NTE 1 year or 

intermittent and not career or careerconditional? 

Coverage under FICA 

only 

Go to Step 5 

5 Is employee's current appointment excluded 

from CSRS by law or regulation? (See section 

10A1.3-3) 

Go to Step 6 Go to Step 7 

6 Does employee meet 5-year test? (See section 

10A1.1-2I) 

FICA only with option 

to elect FERS 

Go to Step 19

7 Is current appointment now subject to FICA? 

(See section 10A1.3-6) 

Go to Step 8 Coverage under CSRS 

with option to elect FERS 

8 Does employee meet the 5-year test? (See 

section 10A1.1-2I) 

Coverage under CSRS 

Offset with option to 

elect FERS 

Go to Step 19

9 Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 

year or intermittent and not career or career 

conditional (that is, excluded from FERS)? 

Coverage under FICA 

only 

Go to Step 19

10 Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 

year or intermittent and not career or career 

conditional (that is, excluded from FERS)?

Coverage under FICA

only

Go to Step 11

11 Is current appointment effective before January 

1, 2013?

Coverage under FERS Go to Step 12

12 Was employee covered under FERS on 

December 31, 2012?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 13

13 Was employee on December 31, 2012, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 14

14 Does employee as of December 31, 2012, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 15
10-90 Chapter 10. Coverage

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

15 Is current appointment effective on or after 

January 1, 2013, and before January 1, 2014?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 16

16. Was employee covered under FERS-RAE on 

December 31, 2013?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 17

17. Was employee on December 31, 2013, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 18

18. Does employee as of December 31, 2013, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Employee is covered 

under FERS-FRAE

19. Is current appointment effective before January 

1, 2013?

Coverage under FERS Go to Step 20

20 Was employee on December 31, 2012, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 21

21. Does employee as of December 31, 2012, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 22

22 Is current appointment effective on or after 

January 1, 2013, and before January 1, 2014?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 23

23 Was employee on December 31, 2013, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 24

24 Does employee as of December 31, 2013, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Employee is covered 

under FERS-FRAE
Chapter 10. Coverage 10-91

4. Conclusion

Employee remains in CSRS and has 6 months in which to elect FERS. 

Explanation: When an employee exercises restoration rights after military service, for FICA 

purposes, he or she is considered to have been an employee during the period of military service 

and previous retirement coverage continues. In this example, the person's military service also 

counts as civilian service because the employee was rehired under military restoration rules and 

he/she served for less than 5 consecutive years in the military service. (Generally, restoration 

rights do not apply if an employee serves for more than 5 continuous years in the military 

service.)

Example 10: Former CSRS Disability Retiree

1. Description

This example illustrates the effect of a break in service of more than 365 days on the employee's 

retirement coverage upon return to service after being a CSRS disability annuitant. Please note that 

the annuity terminated prior to the return to Federal service. 

2. Checklist History

Type of 

Action

Appointment Coverage Effective Dates Follows a 

Break in 

Service?

Eligible to 

Elect 

FERS?

From To

First Hired Career Cond. CSRS (1) 12/15/1983 12/14/1989 NA 7/1/1987-

12/31/1987 

Retired 

Disability

NA NA 12/15/1989 6/30/1995 NA NA

Reinstated Career ? 10/1/1995 ----- YES ? 

Total 

Service

6 years

3. Coverage Determination Table

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

1 Does employee qualify as a senior official? (See 

section 10A1.3-6C) 

See Chapter 101 Go to Step 2 

2 Did employee previously have FERS (i.e. 

FERS/FERS-RAE/FERS-FRAE) coverage? 

Go to Step 10 Go to Step 3 

3 Was employee first hired after December 31, 

1983? 

Go to Step 9 Go to Step 4 

4 Is current appointment temporary NTE 1 year or 

intermittent and not career or careerconditional? 

Coverage under FICA 

only 

Go to Step 5 

5 Is employee's current appointment excluded 

from CSRS by law or regulation? (See section 

10A1.3-3) 

Go to Step 6 Go to Step 7 

6 Does employee meet 5-year test? (See section 

10A1.1-2I) 

FICA only with option 

to elect FERS 

Go to Step 19
10-92 Chapter 10. Coverage

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

7 Is current appointment now subject to FICA? 

(See section 10A1.3-6) 

Go to Step 8 Coverage under CSRS 

with option to elect FERS 

8 Does employee meet the 5-year test? (See 

section 10A1.1-2I) 

Coverage under CSRS 

Offset with option to 

elect FERS 

Go to Step 19

9 Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 

year or intermittent and not career or career 

conditional (that is, excluded from FERS)? 

Coverage under FICA 

only 

Go to Step 19

10 Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 

year or intermittent and not career or career 

conditional (that is, excluded from FERS)?

Coverage under FICA

only

Go to Step 11

11 Is current appointment effective before January 

1, 2013?

Coverage under FERS Go to Step 12

12 Was employee covered under FERS on 

December 31, 2012?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 13

13 Was employee on December 31, 2012, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 14

14 Does employee as of December 31, 2012, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 15

15 Is current appointment effective on or after 

January 1, 2013, and before January 1, 2014?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 16

16. Was employee covered under FERS-RAE on 

December 31, 2013?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 17

17. Was employee on December 31, 2013, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 18

18. Does employee as of December 31, 2013, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Employee is covered 

under FERS-FRAE

19. Is current appointment effective before January 

1, 2013?

Coverage under FERS Go to Step 20
Chapter 10. Coverage 10-93

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

20 Was employee on December 31, 2012, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 21

21. Does employee as of December 31, 2012, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 22

22 Is current appointment effective on or after 

January 1, 2013, and before January 1, 2014?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 23

23 Was employee on December 31, 2013, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 24

24 Does employee as of December 31, 2013, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Employee is covered 

under FERS-FRAE

4. Conclusion

Employee is covered by CSRS Offset and subject to OASDI because he or she has been separated 

more than 365 days. Employee has a 6-month opportunity to elect FERS. 

Example 11: Effect of OWCP on Coverage 

1. Description

This example illustrates the effect of the exception to the 365 day break rule when an employee 

has been receiving OWCP benefits.

2. Checklist History

Type of 

Action

Appointment Coverage Effective Dates Follows a 

Break in 

Service?

Eligible to 

Elect 

FERS?

From To

First Hired Career Cond. CSRS (1) 11/1/1983 1/31/1988 NA 7/1/1987-

12/31/1987 

Separated Retired 

OWCP

NA 2/1/1988 9/30/1995 NA NA

Reinstated Career ? 10/1/1995 ----- ? ? 
10-94 Chapter 10. Coverage

Total Service 11 years 11 months 

3. Coverage Determination Table

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

1 Does employee qualify as a senior official? (See 

section 10A1.3-6C) 

See Chapter 101 Go to Step 2 

2 Did employee previously have FERS (i.e. 

FERS/FERS-RAE/FERS-FRAE) coverage? 

Go to Step 10 Go to Step 3 

3 Was employee first hired after December 31, 

1983? 

Go to Step 9 Go to Step 4 

4 Is current appointment temporary NTE 1 year or 

intermittent and not career or careerconditional? 

Coverage under FICA 

only 

Go to Step 5 

5 Is employee's current appointment excluded 

from CSRS by law or regulation? (See section 

10A1.3-3) 

Go to Step 6 Go to Step 7 

6 Does employee meet 5-year test? (See section 

10A1.1-2I) 

FICA only with option 

to elect FERS 

Go to Step 19

7 Is current appointment now subject to FICA? 

(See section 10A1.3-6) 

Go to Step 8 Coverage under CSRS 

with option to elect FERS 

8 Does employee meet the 5-year test? (See 

section 10A1.1-2I) 

Coverage under CSRS 

Offset with option to 

elect FERS 

Go to Step 19

9 Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 

year or intermittent and not career or career 

conditional (that is, excluded from FERS)? 

Coverage under FICA 

only 

Go to Step 19

10 Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 

year or intermittent and not career or career 

conditional (that is, excluded from FERS)?

Coverage under FICA

only

Go to Step 11

11 Is current appointment effective before January 

1, 2013?

Coverage under FERS Go to Step 12

12 Was employee covered under FERS on 

December 31, 2012?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 13

13 Was employee on December 31, 2012, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 14

14 Does employee as of December 31, 2012, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 15

15 Is current appointment effective on or after 

January 1, 2013, and before January 1, 2014?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 16

16. Was employee covered under FERS-RAE on Employee is covered Go to Step 17
Chapter 10. Coverage 10-95

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

December 31, 2013? under FERS-RAE

17. Was employee on December 31, 2013, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 18

18. Does employee as of December 31, 2013, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Employee is covered 

under FERS-FRAE

19. Is current appointment effective before January 

1, 2013?

Coverage under FERS Go to Step 20

20 Was employee on December 31, 2012, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 21

21. Does employee as of December 31, 2012, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 22

22 Is current appointment effective on or after 

January 1, 2013, and before January 1, 2014?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 23

23 Was employee on December 31, 2013, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 24

24 Does employee as of December 31, 2013, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Employee is covered 

under FERS-FRAE

4. Conclusion

Employee is still exempt from OASDI and, therefore, correctly remains under CSRS at the full 7 

percent deduction rate because he or she was receiving OWCP benefits during the separation. 

If, on his return, the employee receives a different type of appointment than the one he had (for 

example, temporary instead of career), the rehire table may not give him the correct retirement 

coverage. When the employee received OWCP benefits throughout the separation, use the transfer 

or conversion table to determine retirement coverage. Also, see Chapter 11 for an explanation of his 

FERS election option. 
10-96 Chapter 10. Coverage

Example 12: Rehire subject to FERS 

1. Description

Employee receives a FERS covered appointment effective January 2, 2014. Employee had one 

previous period of civilian service with the Federal Government covered under FERS from 

September 14, 2009, to December 29, 2013. 

2. Checklist History

Type of 

Action

Appointment Coverage Effective Dates Follows a 

Break in 

Service?

Eligible to 

Elect 

FERS?

From To

New Hire CCA FERS 9/14/2009 12/29/2013 YES NA

Rehire Career ? 1/2/2014 ----- ? ? 

3. Coverage Determination Table

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

1 Does employee qualify as a senior official? (See 

section 10A1.3-6C) 

See Chapter 101 Go to Step 2 

2 Did employee previously have FERS (i.e. 

FERS/FERS-RAE/FERS-FRAE) coverage? 

Go to Step 10 Go to Step 3 

3 Was employee first hired after December 31, 

1983? 

Go to Step 9 Go to Step 4 

4 Is current appointment temporary NTE 1 year or 

intermittent and not career or careerconditional? 

Coverage under FICA 

only 

Go to Step 5 

5 Is employee's current appointment excluded 

from CSRS by law or regulation? (See section 

10A1.3-3) 

Go to Step 6 Go to Step 7 

6 Does employee meet 5-year test? (See section 

10A1.1-2I) 

FICA only with option 

to elect FERS 

Go to Step 19

7 Is current appointment now subject to FICA? 

(See section 10A1.3-6) 

Go to Step 8 Coverage under CSRS 

with option to elect FERS 

8 Does employee meet the 5-year test? (See 

section 10A1.1-2I) 

Coverage under CSRS 

Offset with option to 

elect FERS 

Go to Step 19

9 Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 

year or intermittent and not career or career 

conditional (that is, excluded from FERS)? 

Coverage under FICA 

only 

Go to Step 19

10 Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 

year or intermittent and not career or career 

conditional (that is, excluded from FERS)?

Coverage under FICA

only

Go to Step 11

11 Is current appointment effective before January 

1, 2013?

Coverage under FERS Go to Step 12

12 Was employee covered under FERS on 

December 31, 2012?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 13
Chapter 10. Coverage 10-97

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

13 Was employee on December 31, 2012, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 14

14 Does employee as of December 31, 2012, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 15

15 Is current appointment effective on or after 

January 1, 2013, and before January 1, 2014?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 16

16. Was employee covered under FERS-RAE on 

December 31, 2013?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 17

17. Was employee on December 31, 2013, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 18

18. Does employee as of December 31, 2013, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Employee is covered 

under FERS-FRAE

19. Is current appointment effective before January 

1, 2013?

Coverage under FERS Go to Step 20

20 Was employee on December 31, 2012, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 21

21. Does employee as of December 31, 2012, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 22

22 Is current appointment effective on or after 

January 1, 2013, and before January 1, 2014?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 23

23 Was employee on December 31, 2013, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 24
10-98 Chapter 10. Coverage

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

24 Does employee as of December 31, 2013, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Employee is covered 

under FERS-FRAE

4. Conclusion

Employee is subject to FERS coverage. Employee was covered by FERS Regular on 

12/31/2012. 

Example 13: FERS FRAE 

1. Description

Employee received a FERS covered appointment effective June 16, 2014. Employee previously 

had performed Federal service under CSRS from June 13, 1977, through September 21, 1981. 

2. Checklist History

Type of 

Action

Appointment Coverage Effective Dates Follows a 

Break in 

Service?

Eligible to 

Elect 

FERS?

From To

New Hire CCA FERS 6/13/1977 9/21/1981 YES NA

Rehire Career ? 6/16/2014 ----- ----- -----

3. Coverage Determination Table

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

1 Does employee qualify as a senior official? (See 

section 10A1.3-6C) 

See Chapter 101 Go to Step 2 

2 Did employee previously have FERS (i.e. 

FERS/FERS-RAE/FERS-FRAE) coverage? 

Go to Step 10 Go to Step 3 

3 Was employee first hired after December 31, 

1983? 

Go to Step 9 Go to Step 4 

4 Is current appointment temporary NTE 1 year or 

intermittent and not career or careerconditional? 

Coverage under FICA 

only 

Go to Step 5 

5 Is employee's current appointment excluded 

from CSRS by law or regulation? (See section 

10A1.3-3) 

Go to Step 6 Go to Step 7 

6 Does employee meet 5-year test? (See section 

10A1.1-2I) 

FICA only with option 

to elect FERS 

Go to Step 19

7 Is current appointment now subject to FICA? 

(See section 10A1.3-6) 

Go to Step 8 Coverage under CSRS 

with option to elect FERS 

8 Does employee meet the 5-year test? (See 

section 10A1.1-2I) 

Coverage under CSRS 

Offset with option to 

elect FERS 

Go to Step 19

9 Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 Coverage under FICA Go to Step 19
Chapter 10. Coverage 10-99

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

year or intermittent and not career or career 

conditional (that is, excluded from FERS)? 

only 

10 Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 

year or intermittent and not career or career 

conditional (that is, excluded from FERS)?

Coverage under FICA

only

Go to Step 11

11 Is current appointment effective before January 

1, 2013?

Coverage under FERS Go to Step 12

12 Was employee covered under FERS on 

December 31, 2012?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 13

13 Was employee on December 31, 2012, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 14

14 Does employee as of December 31, 2012, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 15

15 Is current appointment effective on or after 

January 1, 2013, and before January 1, 2014?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 16

16. Was employee covered under FERS-RAE on 

December 31, 2013?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 17

17. Was employee on December 31, 2013, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 18

18. Does employee as of December 31, 2013, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Employee is covered 

under FERS-FRAE

19. Is current appointment effective before January 

1, 2013?

Coverage under FERS Go to Step 20

20 Was employee on December 31, 2012, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 21

21. Does employee as of December 31, 2012, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 22
10-100 Chapter 10. Coverage

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

22 Is current appointment effective on or after 

January 1, 2013, and before January 1, 2014?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 23

23 Was employee on December 31, 2013, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 24

24 Does employee as of December 31, 2013, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Employee is covered 

under FERS-FRAE

4. Conclusion

Employee is subject to FERS-FRAE Coverage.

Employee was not an employee of the Federal government on December 31, 2012 and did not 

have 5 years of prior CSRS covered creditable service making him ineligible for FERS Regular 

coverage. The employee was not an employee on December 31, 2013 and did not have the 5 years of 

creditable service on that date making him ineligible for FERS-RAE coverage

Example 14: FERS FRAE

1. Description

Employee receives a FERS covered appointment effective January 2, 2014. Employee had one 

previous period of civilian service with the Federal Government covered under FERS from 

September 14, 2009, to December 29, 2012. 

2. Checklist History

Type of 

Action

Appointment Coverage Effective Dates Follows a 

Break in 

Service?

Eligible to 

Elect 

FERS?

From To

New Hire CCA FERS 9/14/2009 12/29/2012 YES NA

Rehire Career ? 1/2/2014 ----- ----- -----

3. Coverage Determination Table

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

1 Does employee qualify as a senior official? (See 

section 10A1.3-6C) 

See Chapter 101 Go to Step 2 

2 Did employee previously have FERS (i.e. 

FERS/FERS-RAE/FERS-FRAE) coverage? 

Go to Step 10 Go to Step 3 

3 Was employee first hired after December 31, 

1983? 

Go to Step 9 Go to Step 4 

4 Is current appointment temporary NTE 1 year or Coverage under FICA Go to Step 5 
Chapter 10. Coverage 10-101

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

intermittent and not career or careerconditional? only 

5 Is employee's current appointment excluded 

from CSRS by law or regulation? (See section 

10A1.3-3) 

Go to Step 6 Go to Step 7 

6 Does employee meet 5-year test? (See section 

10A1.1-2I) 

FICA only with option 

to elect FERS 

Go to Step 19

7 Is current appointment now subject to FICA? 

(See section 10A1.3-6) 

Go to Step 8 Coverage under CSRS 

with option to elect FERS 

8 Does employee meet the 5-year test? (See 

section 10A1.1-2I) 

Coverage under CSRS 

Offset with option to 

elect FERS 

Go to Step 19

9 Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 

year or intermittent and not career or career 

conditional (that is, excluded from FERS)? 

Coverage under FICA 

only 

Go to Step 19

10 Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 

year or intermittent and not career or career 

conditional (that is, excluded from FERS)?

Coverage under FICA

only

Go to Step 11

11 Is current appointment effective before January 

1, 2013?

Coverage under FERS Go to Step 12

12 Was employee covered under FERS on 

December 31, 2012?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 13

13 Was employee on December 31, 2012, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 14

14 Does employee as of December 31, 2012, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 15

15 Is current appointment effective on or after 

January 1, 2013, and before January 1, 2014?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 16

16. Was employee covered under FERS-RAE on 

December 31, 2013?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 17

17. Was employee on December 31, 2013, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 18

18. Does employee as of December 31, 2013, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Employee is covered 

under FERS-FRAE
10-102 Chapter 10. Coverage

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

creditable service under FERS?

19. Is current appointment effective before January 

1, 2013?

Coverage under FERS Go to Step 20

20 Was employee on December 31, 2012, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 21

21. Does employee as of December 31, 2012, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 22

22 Is current appointment effective on or after 

January 1, 2013, and before January 1, 2014?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 23

23 Was employee on December 31, 2013, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 24

24 Does employee as of December 31, 2013, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Employee is covered 

under FERS-FRAE

4. Conclusion

Employee is subject to FERS-FRAE coverage.

On December 31, 2012, the employee did not meet the requirements that would permit coverage 

under original FERS. The employee was not covered under FERS and was not performing civilian 

service that was creditable or potentially creditable under FERS on December 31, 2012, nor did the 

employee have at least 5 years of creditable or potentially creditable civilian service as of December 

31, 2012. Likewise, as of December 31, 2013, the employee did not meet the requirement that would 

permit coverage under FERS-RAE. The employee was not covered under FERS-RAE and was not 

performing civilian service that was creditable or potentially creditable under FERS on December 

31, 2013, nor did the employee have at least 5 years of creditable or potentially creditable civilian 

service as of December 31, 2013. 
Chapter 10. Coverage 10-103

Subchapter 10C Job Aids 

Subpart 10C.1 Job Aids 

Section 10C1.101 Copies of Job Aids 

A. Description

This subchapter contains copies of the following job aids that agencies may reproduce locally.

1. Coverage Determination Table for First Hire Coverage

2. Coverage Determination Table for Transfer or Conversion

3. Coverage Determination Table for Rehire Coverage

Where to Find Listing of Retirement Codes. 

B. Job Aids
10-104 Chapter 10. Coverage

Job Aid 1: Coverage Determination Table for First Hire

Name_________________________ Social Security Number ________________________ 

Date of Appointment_________________________ 

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

1 Does employee have prior non-Federal service that was 

covered by or creditable under CSRS? (See section 

10A1.3-3B) 

Go to Step 2 Go to Step 5 

2 Does employee meet 5 year test? (See section 10A1.1-

2I) 

Go to Step 3 Skip to Step 5

3 Is current appointment excluded from CSRS? (See 

section 10A1.3-3) 

Go to Step 4 Coverage under 

CSRS Offset 

with option to 

elect FERS 

4 Is current appointment excluded from FERS? (See 

section 10A1.3-5) Coverage under 

FICA only (unless 

not applicable) 

Covered by FICA 

with option to 

elect FERS 

5 Is appointment excluded from FERS by law or 

regulation? (See section 10A1.3-5) 

Coverage under 

FICA only (unless 

not applicable) 

Go to Step 6

6. Is appointment effective before January 1, 2013? Coverage Under 

FERS

Go to Step 7

7. Is appointment effective on or after January 1, 2013, 

and before January 1, 2014?

Coverage Under 

FERS-RAE

Coverage Under 

FERS-FRAE

Prepared by _________________________ Date_________________________ 

(Name)

REPRODUCE LOCALLY
Chapter 10. Coverage 10-105

Job Aid 2: Coverage Determination Table for Transfers and Conversions 

Name_________________________ Social Security Number ________________________ 

Date of Appointment_________________________ 

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

1 Does employee qualify as a senior official? (See section 

10A1.3-6C) 

See Chapter 101 Go to Step 2 

2 Was last employment under another Federal retirement 

system (for example, FSRS)? 

Go to Step 5 Go to Step 3 

3 

Was last appointment covered by OASDI (FICA) only? 

Go to Step 4 Employee 

retains previous 

coverage 

4 Did employee previously have FERS (i.e. FERS/FERSRAE/FERS-FRAE) coverage? Go to Step 11 Go to Step 5 

5 Was employee first hired after December 31, 1983? Go to Step 20 Go to Step 6 

6 Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 year or 

intermittent and not career or career conditional? 

Employee 

covered under 

FICA only 

Go to Step 7 

7 Is the current appointment excluded from CSRS by law 

or regulation? (See section 10A1.3-3) 

Go to Step 8 Go to Step 9 

8 Does employee meet the 5-year test? (See section 

10A1.1-2I) 

Employee 

covered under 

FICA only with 

option to elect 

FERS 

Go to Step 21

9 Is current appointment now subject to FICA? (See 

section 10A1.3-6) 

Go to Step 10 Employee 

covered under 

CSRS with 

option to elect 

FERS* 

10 Does employee meet the 5-year test? (See section 

10A1.1-2I) 

Employee 

covered under 

CSRS Offset with 

option to elect 

FERS 

Go to Step 21

11. Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 year or 

intermittent and not career or career conditional (that 

is, excluded from FERS)? 

Employee 

covered under 

FICA only 

Go to Step 12

12 Is current appointment effective before January 1, 

2013?

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 13

13 Was employee covered under FERS on December 31, Employee Go to Step 14
10-106 Chapter 10. Coverage

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

2012? covered under 

FERS

14 Was employee on December 31, 2012, performing 

civilian service that was creditable or potentially 

creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace Corp volunteer service 

or service covered under another retirement system for 

which credit may be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign 

Service, Federal Reserve, or CIARDS

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 15

15 Does employee as of December 31, 2012, have at least 

5-years of creditable or potentially creditable service 

under FERS?

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 16

16. Is current appointment effective on or after January 1, 

2013, and before January 1, 2014?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Go to Step 17

17. Was employee covered under FERS-RAE on December 

31, 2013?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Go to Step 18

18. Was employee on December 31, 2013, performing 

civilian service that was creditable or potentially 

creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace Corp volunteer service 

or service covered under another retirement system for 

which credit may be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign 

Service, Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Go to Step 19

19. Does employee as of December 31, 2013, have at least 

5-years of creditable or potentially creditable service 

under FERS?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-FRAE

20 Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 year or 

intermittent and not career or career conditional (that 

is, excluded from FERS)? 

Employee 

covered under 

FICA only 

Go to Step 21

21. Is current appointment effective before 

January 1, 2013?

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 22

22 Was employee on December 31, 2012, performing 

civilian service that was creditable or potentially 

creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace Corp volunteer service 

or service covered under another retirement system for 

which credit may be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign 

Service, Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 23

23 Does employee as of December 31, 2012, have at least 

5-years of creditable or potentially creditable service 

under FERS?

Employee 

covered under 

FERS

Go to Step 24

24 Is current appointment effective on or after January 1, 

2013, and before January 1, 2014?

Employee is 

covered under 

Go to Step 25
Chapter 10. Coverage 10-107

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

FERS-RAE

25 Was employee on December 31, 2013, performing 

civilian service that was creditable or potentially 

creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace Corp volunteer service 

or service covered under another retirement system for 

which credit may be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign 

Service, Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Go to Step 26

26 Does employee as of December 31, 2013, have at least 

5-years of creditable or potentially creditable service 

under FERS?

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-RAE

Employee is 

covered under 

FERS-FRAE

Prepared by _________________________ Date_________________________ 

(Name)

*An employee has only one opportunity to elect FERS during any period of continuous employment. 

REPRODUCE LOCALLY
10-108 Chapter 10. Coverage

Job Aid 3: Coverage Determination Table for Rehires 

Name_________________________ Social Security Number ________________________ 

Date of Appointment_________________________ 

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

1 Does employee qualify as a senior official? (See 

section 10A1.3-6C) 

See Chapter 101 Go to Step 2 

2 Did employee previously have FERS (i.e. 

FERS/FERS-RAE/FERS-FRAE) coverage? 

Go to Step 10 Go to Step 3 

3 Was employee first hired after December 31, 

1983? 

Go to Step 9 Go to Step 4 

4 Is current appointment temporary NTE 1 year or 

intermittent and not career or careerconditional? 

Coverage under FICA 

only 

Go to Step 5 

5 Is employee's current appointment excluded 

from CSRS by law or regulation? (See section 

10A1.3-3) 

Go to Step 6 Go to Step 7 

6 Does employee meet 5-year test? (See section 

10A1.1-2I) 

FICA only with option 

to elect FERS 

Go to Step 19

7 Is current appointment now subject to FICA? 

(See section 10A1.3-6) 

Go to Step 8 Coverage under CSRS 

with option to elect FERS 

8 Does employee meet the 5-year test? (See 

section 10A1.1-2I) 

Coverage under CSRS 

Offset with option to 

elect FERS 

Go to Step 19

9 Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 

year or intermittent and not career or career 

conditional (that is, excluded from FERS)? 

Coverage under FICA 

only 

Go to Step 19

10 Is the current appointment temporary NTE 1 

year or intermittent and not career or career 

conditional (that is, excluded from FERS)?

Coverage under FICA

only

Go to Step 11

11 Is current appointment effective before January 

1, 2013?

Coverage under FERS Go to Step 12

12 Was employee covered under FERS on 

December 31, 2012?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 13

13 Was employee on December 31, 2012, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 14

14 Does employee as of December 31, 2012, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 15
Chapter 10. Coverage 10-109

Step Decision Factor If Yes... If No...

15 Is current appointment effective on or after 

January 1, 2013, and before January 1, 2014?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 16

16. Was employee covered under FERS-RAE on 

December 31, 2013?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 17

17. Was employee on December 31, 2013, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 18

18. Does employee as of December 31, 2013, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Employee is covered 

under FERS-FRAE

19. Is current appointment effective before January 

1, 2013?

Coverage under FERS Go to Step 20

20 Was employee on December 31, 2012, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 21

21. Does employee as of December 31, 2012, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee covered 

under FERS

Go to Step 22

22 Is current appointment effective on or after 

January 1, 2013, and before January 1, 2014?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 23

23 Was employee on December 31, 2013, 

performing civilian service that was creditable or 

potentially creditable under FERS (e.g. Peace 

Corp volunteer service or service covered under 

another retirement system for which credit may 

be transferred to FERS, such as Foreign Service, 

Federal Reserve, or CIARDS)?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Go to Step 24

24 Does employee as of December 31, 2013, have 

at least 5-years of creditable or potentially 

creditable service under FERS?

Employee is covered 

under FERS-RAE

Employee is covered 

under FERS-FRAE

Prepared by _________________________ Date_________________________ 

(Name)

REPRODUCE LOCALLY
10-110 Chapter 10. Coverage

Section 10C1.1-2: Where to Find Listing of Retirement Codes 

A. Location of Retirement Codes List

The Guide to Personnel Data Standards (formerly FPM Supplement 292-1) contains Data 

Standards needed to satisfy Federal Civilian Workforce Reporting Requirements. 

The codes for the SF 50, Notification of Personnel Action, are listed in the Guide along with the 

definition and/or an explanation of the use of the codes. 

The Data Standards guide is available on OPM's Website 

http://www.opm.gov/feddata/guidance.htm