United States 

Office of 

Personnel Management 

The Federal Government’s Human Resources Agency 

Benefits Administration Letter 

Number 13 - 102	 Date: June 4,2013 

Subject: Federal Employees Retirement System-Revised Annuity 

Employees (RAE)-Additional Guidance 

Purpose: The purpose of this Benefits Administration Letter (BAL) is to provide 

additional guidance concerning employees and Members of Congress who will be 

covered under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) as Revised Annuity 

Employees (RAE), FERS-RAE. 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. 

Background: Public Law 112-96, Section 5001, the “Middle Class Tax Relief and Job 

Creation !ct of 2012,” made two significant changes to the Federal Employees’ 

Retirement System (FERS). First beginning in 2013, new employees (as designated in 

the statute) must pay significantly higher employee contributions, an increase of 2.3 

percent of salary. Second, new Members of Congress and Congressional employees, in 

addition to paying higher retirement contributions, will accrue retirement benefits at 

the same rate as regular employees. Initial guidance was provided in BAL 12-104 dated 

October 3, 2012. 

Review of Coverage Determination: 

FERS-RAE coverage generally applies to any individual who receives an appointment not 

excluded from FERS coverage on or after January 1, 2013, and who would normally be 

placed in FERS. There are three exceptions to this general rule, however, and the date 

December 31, 2012, is a key date for each of those exceptions. An individual will be 

excluded from FERS-RAE 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 covered under another retirement system from which 

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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. 

FERS Military Deposits: 

The general rule for FERS military deposits is that the deposit equals 3% of military basic 

pay. That 3% deposit figure was not changed by the FERS-RAE legislation. The 

provisions for the military deposit can be found in 5 U.S.C 8422(e). 

For individuals who perform military service that interrupts civilian service, and then 

who qualify for reinstatement into the civilian position under USERRA, the deposit for 

the military service equals the lesser of: 

	 3% of the military basic pay, or 

	 The amount of civilian deductions that would have been withheld from the 

employee’s civilian basic pay had the employee not performed the period of 

military service 

The calculation of the deposit based on the civilian basic pay for FERS-RAE employees 

will be based on the higher deduction percentage that applies to the FERS-RAE 

employee. The agency must do the calculation to determine which is the lesser of the 

two for the military deposit. 

Member of Capitol Police: 

BAL 12-104 incorrectly included members of Capitol Police (sworn) with Law 

Enforcement Officers and fire-fighters for the purposes of FERS and FERS-RAE normal 

costs. The current normal costs for FERS and FERS-RAE members of the Capitol Police 

will remain 18%. The employee FERS-RAE contribution rate will be 3.6% and the agency 

contribution rate will be 14.4%. 

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Retirement Plan Codes: 

In support of Public Law 112-96, OPM will begin collecting data on new hire employees’ 

that are on boarded on/after January 1, 2013, under the FERS Revised Annuity 

Employee (RAE). The new two digit code will be used specifically for employees that fall 

into the new FERS-RAE retirement category. Agencies submitting data to OPM using the 

legacy single digit code (for example “K”)- will submit data into the new formatted twodigit field, ensuring all entries are left justified. The updated Retirement Plan Codes and 

definitions are attached. 

FERS-RAE Reporting: 

OPM Financial Services has been providing payroll and financial guidance through 

Financial Pay listserv, FINPAY@LISTSERV.OPM.GOV. They have advised that all payroll 

providers must be able to capture, segregate, and apply the applicable rates for FERSRAE employees and their associated payroll data, starting on January 1st, 2013 and going 

forward. 

They are working with Treasury FMS regarding necessary changes to the Retirement and 

Insurance Transfer System (RITS) Bulk File as required by the implementation of FERS 

RAE, to comply with the requirements of P.L. 112-96, Sec. 5001. 

Attached is the RITS Incoming Bulk File Layout dated January 15, 2013, version 0.2. The 

FERS RAE changes to be implemented may be found at Columns 128 – 320 on pages 10 

– 11 of the Bulk File Layout. 

Treasury FMS has advised that it plans to have several of the large RITS users test their 

bulk file submissions in their test environment, prior to the release, sometime in 

September, 2013. The specifics of Treasury’s testing efforts have not yet been identified, 

but Treasury will keep OPM updated as to its testing plans as soon as they have been 

defined. 

OPM will provide additional updates as further details become available, including Bulk 

File testing schedules. 

Treasury FMS advised the planned release date for the FERS RAE enhancement is 

November, 2013. IPAC/RITS will be available to receive the new FERS RAE data from the 

inputting Agencies and display the results to OPM as approved. 

If you have any questions and/or concerns, please call the IPAC support line at 866-809-

5218 option 2, then option 2 again. 

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Attachments: 

Attachment 1 provides the updated Retirement Plan codes and definitions that include 

FERS-RAE 

Attachment 2 provides revisions to the retirement coverage determination tables from 

Chapter 10 of the CSRS and FERS Handbook for Personnel and Payroll Offices to 

incorporate FERS-RAE coverage to assist you in determining the correct coverage. 

Attachment 3 is the FERS and FERS-RAE contribution tables that provide the 

percentages for both the employee and agency contributions. 

Attachment 4 is the RITS Incoming Bulk File Layout 

If you have any questions concerning this BAL, you may contact Sharon Appel at 724-

794-2005 extension 3127 or Sharon.Appel@opm.gov. 

Kenneth J Zawodny Jr 

Associate Director 

Retirement Services 

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ATTACHMENT 1
 


RETIREMENT PLAN
 


Definition: The civilian retirement system(s) to which deductions from an employee's 

pay are credited. 

Responsible Organization: Office of Personnel Management, Employee Services. 

Applicability: Mandatory (Enterprise Human Resources Integration HR Status, and HR 

Dynamics data feeds, Personnel Actions Standard Form 50/52). 

Format: TEXT_F(2) 

0 Customs and Border Protection (Enhanced CSRS). Single System Deductions. 

1 Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). Single System Deductions. 

2 Social Security System (FICA). Single System Deductions. 

3 Foreign Service Retirement and Disability System (FSRDS). Single System 

Deductions. 

4 	 None. 

5 	 Other Retirement System. State government retirement systems for National 

Guard technicians, the Teachers Insurance Retirement Annuity Plan for professors 

at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, the District of 

Columbia Police and Firemen's Retirement Fund for law enforcement officers of 

the Park Police and Secret Service, the special withholding rate Civil Service 

Retirement System for Congressional Record indexers at the Government Printing 

Office, the special withholding rate Federal Employees' Retirement System for 

Congressional Record indexers at the Government Printing Office, the Financial 

Institutions Retirement Fund for employees who worked for the Federal Home 

Loan Bank Board, and Retained Coverage Under the Non-Appropriated Fund 

(NAF) Retirement System. Single System Deductions. 

6 	 Civil Service Retirement System--Special (CSRS--Special). For law enforcement 

officers and firefighters. Single System Deductions. 

7 	 For foreign national employees exempt from retirement and from Social Security 

and Medicare tax deductions. Code is not valid for submission to the Central 

Personnel Data File. Code may be used for other documentation purposes. Single 

System Deductions. 

5 
 

8 U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims without election of survivor annuity 

benefits. Code is for use by the judges of the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans 

Claims only. Code is not valid for submission to the Central Personnel Data File. 

Code may be used for other documentation purposes. Single System Deductions. 

9 U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims with election of survivor annuity 

benefits. Code is for use by the judges of the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans 

Claims only. Code is not valid for submission to the Central Personnel Data File. 

Code may be used for other documentation purposes. Single System Deductions. 

A Article III Judges and Justices. Code is not valid for submission to the Central 

Personnel Data File. Code may be used for other documentation purposes. Single 

System Deductions. 

B Bankruptcy Judges and Justices under the Judicial Retirement System. Code is not 

valid for submission to the Central Personnel Data File. Code may be used for 

other documentation purposes. Single System Deductions. 

C FICA and CSRS (Partial). COMBINATIONS OF FICA AND PARTIAL 

DEDUCTIONS: Full deductions are withheld for FICA, and partial deductions 

are withheld for another system. When the employee's basic pay exceeds the 

maximum FICA wage base and is no longer subject to FICA withholding, full 

deductions are withheld for CSRS, CSRS--Special, FSRDS, or Other Retirement 

System. 

D Foreign Service Pension System--Law Enforcement (FSPS--Law Enforcement). 

COMBINATIONS OF FICA AND PARTIAL DEDUCTIONS: Full deductions 

are withheld for FICA, and partial deductions are withheld for another system. 

When the employee's basic pay exceeds the maximum FICA wage base and is no 

longer subject to FICA withholding, full deductions are withheld for CSRS, 

CSRS--Special, FSRDS, or Other Retirement System. 

DR FSPS-Revised Annuity Employees (RAE)--Law Enforcement (FSPS-RAE--Law 

Enforcement). COMBINATIONS OF FICA AND PARTIAL DEDUCTIONS: 

Full deductions are withheld for FICA, and partial deductions are withheld for 

another system. When the employee's basic pay exceeds the maximum FICA 

wage base and is no longer subject to FICA withholding, full deductions are 

withheld for CSRS, CSRS--Special, FSRDS, or Other Retirement System. 

E FICA and CSRS--Special (Partial). For law enforcement officers and firefighters. 

COMBINATIONS OF FICA AND PARTIAL DEDUCTIONS: Full deductions 

are withheld for FICA, and partial deductions are withheld for another system. 

When the employee's basic pay exceeds the maximum FICA wage base and is no 

longer subject to FICA withholding, full deductions are withheld for CSRS, 

CSRS--Special, FSRDS, or Other Retirement System. 

6 
 

 

 

F Foreign Service Retirement and Disability System--Law Enforcement (FSRDS--

Law Enforcement). Single System Deductions. 

G FICA and FSRDS (Partial). COMBINATIONS OF FICA AND PARTIAL 

DEDUCTIONS: Full deductions are withheld for FICA, and partial deductions 

are withheld for another system. When the employee's basic pay exceeds the 

maximum FICA wage base and is no longer subject to FICA withholding, full 

deductions are withheld for CSRS, CSRS--Special, FSRDS, or Other Retirement 

System. 

H Foreign Service Retirement and Disability System--Law Enforcement Offset 

(FSRDS--Law Enforcement Offset). COMBINATIONS OF FICA AND 

PARTIAL DEDUCTIONS: Full deductions are withheld for FICA, and partial 

deductions are withheld for another system. When the employee's basic pay 

exceeds the maximum FICA wage base and is no longer subject to FICA 

withholding, full deductions are withheld for CSRS, CSRS--Special, FSRDS, or 

Other Retirement System. 

J FICA and Other Retirement System (Partial). COMBINATIONS OF FICA AND 

PARTIAL DEDUCTIONS: Full deductions are withheld for FICA, and partial 

deductions are withheld for another system. When the employee's basic pay 

exceeds the maximum FICA wage base and is no longer subject to FICA 

withholding, full deductions are withheld for CSRS, CSRS--Special, FSRDS, or 

Other Retirement System. 

K Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS) and FICA. COMBINATIONS OF 

FICA AND PARTIAL DEDUCTIONS: Full deductions are withheld for FICA, 

and partial deductions are withheld for another system. When the employee's 

basic pay exceeds the maximum FICA wage base and is no longer subject to 

FICA withholding, full deductions are withheld for CSRS, CSRS--Special, 

FSRDS, or Other Retirement System. 

KR Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS) Revised Annuity Employees 

(RAE) and FICA. COMBINATIONS OF FICA AND PARTIAL DEDUCTIONS: 

Full deductions are withheld for FICA, and partial deductions are withheld for 

another system. When the employee's basic pay exceeds the maximum FICA 

wage base and is no longer subject to FICA withholding, full deductions are 

withheld for CSRS, CSRS--Special, FSRDS, or Other Retirement System. 

7 

L FERS and FICA--Air Traffic Controllers. COMBINATIONS OF FICA AND 

PARTIAL DEDUCTIONS: Full deductions are withheld for FICA, and partial 

deductions are withheld for another system. When the employee's basic pay 

exceeds the maximum FICA wage base and is no longer subject to FICA 

withholding, full deductions are withheld for CSRS, CSRS--Special, FSRDS, or 

Other Retirement System. 
LR	 	 FERS, Revised Annuity Employees (RAE) and FICA--Air Traffic Controllers. 

COMBINATIONS OF FICA AND PARTIAL DEDUCTIONS: Full deductions 

are withheld for FICA, and partial deductions are withheld for another system. 

When the employee's basic pay exceeds the maximum FICA wage base and is no 

longer subject to FICA withholding, full deductions are withheld for CSRS, 

CSRS--Special, FSRDS, or Other Retirement System. 

M	 	 FERS and FICA--Special. COMBINATIONS OF FICA AND PARTIAL 

DEDUCTIONS: Full deductions are withheld for FICA, and partial deductions 

are withheld for another system. When the employee's basic pay exceeds the 

maximum FICA wage base and is no longer subject to FICA withholding, full 

deductions are withheld for CSRS, CSRS--Special, FSRDS, or Other Retirement 

System. 

MR	 	 FERS, Revised Annuity Employees (RAE) and FICA--Special. 

COMBINATIONS OF FICA AND PARTIAL DEDUCTIONS: Full deductions 

are withheld for FICA, and partial deductions are withheld for another system. 

When the employee's basic pay exceeds the maximum FICA wage base and is no 

longer subject to FICA withholding, full deductions are withheld for CSRS, 

CSRS--Special, FSRDS, or Other Retirement System. 

N	 	 FERS and FICA--Reserve Technicians. COMBINATIONS OF FICA AND 

PARTIAL DEDUCTIONS: Full deductions are withheld for FICA, and partial 

deductions are withheld for another system. When the employee's basic pay 

exceeds the maximum FICA wage base and is no longer subject to FICA 

withholding, full deductions are withheld for CSRS, CSRS--Special, FSRDS, or 

Other Retirement System. 

NR	 	 FERS, Revised Annuity Employees (RAE) and FICA--Reserve Technicians. 

COMBINATIONS OF FICA AND PARTIAL DEDUCTIONS: Full deductions 

are withheld for FICA, and partial deductions are withheld for another system. 

When the employee's basic pay exceeds the maximum FICA wage base and is no 

longer subject to FICA withholding, full deductions are withheld for CSRS, 

CSRS--Special, FSRDS, or Other Retirement System. 

O	 	 FERS and FICA-- Customs and Border Protection Officers. COMBINATIONS 

OF FICA AND PARTIAL DEDUCTIONS: Full deductions are withheld for 

FICA, and partial deductions are withheld for another system. When the 

employee's basic pay exceeds the maximum FICA wage base and is no longer 

subject to FICA withholding, full deductions are withheld for CSRS, CSRS--

Special, FSRDS, or Other Retirement System. 

OR	 	 FERS, Revised Annuity Employees (RAE) and FICA-- Customs and Border 

Protection Officers. COMBINATIONS OF FICA AND PARTIAL 

DEDUCTIONS: Full deductions are withheld for FICA, and partial deductions 

are withheld for another system. When the employee's basic pay exceeds the 

8 
 

 

maximum FICA wage base and is no longer subject to FICA withholding, full 

deductions are withheld for CSRS, CSRS--Special, FSRDS, or Other Retirement 

System. 

P Foreign Service Pension System (FSPS) and FICA. COMBINATIONS OF FICA 

AND PARTIAL DEDUCTIONS: Full deductions are withheld for FICA, and 

partial deductions are withheld for another system. When the employee's basic 

pay exceeds the maximum FICA wage base and is no longer subject to FICA 

withholding, full deductions are withheld for CSRS, CSRS--Special, FSRDS, or 

Other Retirement System. 

PR FSPS-Revised Annuity Employees (RAE) and FICA. COMBINATIONS OF 

FICA AND PARTIAL DEDUCTIONS: Full deductions are withheld for FICA, 

and partial deductions are withheld for another system. When the employee's 

basic pay exceeds the maximum FICA wage base and is no longer subject to 

FICA withholding, full deductions are withheld for CSRS, CSRS--Special, 

FSRDS, or Other Retirement System. 

Q Customs and Border Protection (Enhanced CSRS Offset). COMBINATIONS OF 

FICA AND PARTIAL DEDUCTIONS: Full deductions are withheld for FICA, 

and partial deductions are withheld for another system. When the employee's 

basic pay exceeds the maximum FICA wage base and is no longer subject to 

FICA withholding, full deductions are withheld for CSRS, CSRS--Special, 

FSRDS, or Other Retirement System. 

R FICA and CSRS (Full). COMBINATIONS OF FICA AND FULL 

DEDUCTIONS: Full deductions are withheld for FICA, and full deductions are 

withheld for another system. 

S U.S. Claims Court Judges Retirement System. Code is for use by the judges of the 

U.S. Claims Court only. Code is not valid for submission to the Central Personnel 

Data File. Code may be used for other documentation purposes. Single System 

Deductions. 

T FICA and CSRS--Special (Full). For law enforcement officers and firefighters. 

COMBINATIONS OF FICA AND FULL DEDUCTIONS: Full deductions are 

withheld for FICA, and full deductions are withheld for another system. 

U Bankruptcy Judges (Full FICA/Partial CSRS). Code is not valid for submission to 

the Central Personnel Data File. Code may be used for other documentation 

purposes. COMBINATIONS OF FICA AND PARTIAL DEDUCTIONS: Full 

deductions are withheld for FICA, and partial deductions are withheld for another 

system. When the employee's basic pay exceeds the maximum FICA wage base 

and is no longer subject to FICA withholding, full deductions are withheld for 

CSRS, CSRS--Special, FSRDS, or Other Retirement System. 

9 
V Clerks/Magistrates (CSRS). Code is not valid for submission to the Central 

Personnel Data File. Code may be used for other documentation purposes. Single 

System Deductions. 

W FICA and FSRDS (Full). COMBINATIONS OF FICA AND FULL 

DEDUCTIONS: Full deductions are withheld for FICA, and full deductions are 

withheld for another system. 

X FICA and Other Retirement System (Full). COMBINATIONS OF FICA AND 

FULL DEDUCTIONS: Full deductions are withheld for FICA, and full 

deductions are withheld for another system. 

Y Bankruptcy Judges (Full FICA/Full CSRS). Code is not valid for submission to 

the Central Personnel Data File. Code may be used for other documentation 

purposes. COMBINATIONS OF FICA AND FULL DEDUCTIONS: Full 

deductions are withheld for FICA, and full deductions are withheld for another 

system. 

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ATTACHMENT 2 

REVISED RETIREMENT COVERAGE DETERMINATION TABLES FROM 

CHAPTER 10 OF THE CSRS AND FERS HANDBOOK FOR PERSONNEL AND 

PAYROLL OFFICES 

First 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 

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 on or after January 1, 2013 Coverage under 

FERS-RAE 

Coverage under 

FERS 

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Transfers/Conversions 

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)? 

Skip 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 coverage? Skip to Step 11 Go to Step 5 

5 Was employee first hired after December 31, 1983? Skip to Step 11 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 Skip 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 

Skip to Step 16 

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 

Skip to Step 16 

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 on or after 

January 1, 2013? 

Go to Step 13 Employee covered 

under FERS 

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. 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 

Employee covered 

under FERS-RAE 

16 Is current appointment effective on or after 

January 1, 2013? 

Go to Step 17 Employee covered 

under FERS 

17 Was employee on December 31, 2012, performing 

civilian service that was creditable or potentially 

creditable under FERS (e.g. 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 18 

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

least 5-years of creditable or potentially creditable 

service under FERS? 

Employee covered under 

FERS 

Employee covered 

under FERS-RAE 

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Rehires 

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 coverage? Skip to Step 10 Go to Step 3 

3 Was employee first hired after 

December 31, 1983? 

Skip 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 Skip to Step 7 

6 Does employee meet 5-year test? (See section 

10A1.1-2I) 

FICA only with option 

to elect FERS 

Skip to Step 13 

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 

Skip to Step 13 

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 

Skip to Step 13 

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 on or after 

January 1, 2013? 

Go to Step 12 Coverage under 

FERS 

12 Was employee covered under FERS on 

December 31, 2012? 

Coverage under FERS Skip to Step 14 

13 Is current appointment effective on or after 

January 1, 2013? 

Go to Step 14 Coverage under 

FERS 

14 Was employee on December 31, 2012, performing 

civilian service that was creditable or potentially 

creditable under FERS (e.g. 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 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 

Employee covered 

under FERS-RAE 

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Attachment 3 

Contribution Charts 

FERS Contribution Rates 

Category 

FERS Contribution Rates (%) 

Retirement 

Plan Code 

Normal Cost 

% 

Employee 

% 

Agency 

% 

Regular K 12.7 .8 11.9 

Law Enforcement Officer, 

Firefighter, Member of the 

Supreme Court Police 

M 27.6 1.3 26.3 

Air Traffic Controller L 27.3 1.3 26.0 

Military Reserve Tech N 15.7 .8 14.9 

Customs and Border 

Protection Officers 

O 27.6 1.3 26.3 

Employees under section 

303 of the CIA Act of 1964 

(when serving abroad) 

18.0 .8 17.2 

Member of Congress 19.6 1.3 18.3 

Member of Capitol Police 18.0 1.3 16.7 

Congressional Employee, 

Civilian Capitol Police 

Employee 

18.0 1.3 16.7 

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FERS RAE Contribution Rates
 


Category 

FERS RAE Contribution Rates (%) 

Retirement 

Plan Code 

Normal Cost 

% 

Employee 

% 

Agency 

% 

Regular KR 12.7 3.1 9.6 

Law Enforcement Officer, 

Firefighter, Member of the 

Supreme Court Police ** 

MR 27.6 3.6 24.0 

Air Traffic Controller LR 27.3 3.6 23.7 

Military Reserve Tech NR 15.7 3.1 12.6 

Customs and Border 

Protection Officers 

OR 27.6 3.6 24.0 

Employees under section 

303 of the CIA Act of 1964 

(when serving abroad) 

18.0 3.1 14.9 

Member of Congress 12.7 3.1 9.6 

Member of Capitol Police 18.0 3.6 14.4 

Congressional Employee, 

Civilian Capitol Police 

Employee 

12.7 3.1 9.6 

15 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED 2 

RITS Incoming Bulk File Layout 

Date Effective: November 2013 

RITS Incoming Bulk File layout
 

Format for Federal Program Agencies with FERS RAE
 

enhancement
 

Version 0.2
 

January 15, 2013 

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED 3 

RITS Incoming Bulk File Layout 

Date Effective: November 2013 

Revision History: 

Version Date Author Revision Notes 

0.1 1/8/13 Andrew Cason Initial 

0.2 1/15/13 Andrew Cason Retitled; File name change; Retirement total description 

change 

Contents 

Application Overview•••.••••.•••.••••..•..•••..••••••...••••••••.•••••....••••••...•••••••.•...••••••.•..•••••••..••••••.•..•...•4 

Bulk File Format Conventions 5 

SF 2812 Data 6 

SF 2812 File Identifier Record 7 

SF 2812 Data (Record 1 of 3) 8 

SF 2812 Data (Record 2 of 3) 9 

SF 2812 Data (Record 3 of 3) 10

SF 2812A Enrollment Code Record 12 

SF 2812A Totals Record 13 

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED
 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED 4 

RITS Incoming Bulk File Layout 

Date Effective: November 2013 

Application Overview 

The Retirement and Insurance Transfer System (RITS) application was jointly developed by the 

Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the Financial Management Service (FMS) to 

automate the transfer of Federal employee's health benefit, retirement and life insurance 

program information and payments. FMS partnered with the Federal Reserve Bank of 

Richmond to re-engineer the RITS application. The improved RITS application automates the 

submission of the "Report of Withholdings and Contributions for Health Benefits, Life Insurance 

and Retirement" (SF2812) and the "Report of Withholdings and Contributions for Health 

Benefits by Enrollment Code" (SF2812A) to OPM. 

RITS accumulates information from Federal Program Agencies (FPAs) about the total amount of 

withholdings and related agency contributions for retirement and insurance. Each user agency 

defines one or more payrolls, associated pay cycles and payroll start dates. From these 

parameters RITS creates and maintains an automated payroll/report schedule. This schedule 

gives the FPA and OPM the ability to calculate and track obligation due dates and payment 

timeliness. Agency submission performance is monitored on a regular basis by OPM. In the 

event that a payment is delinquent, OPM has the ability to create an estimated report on the 

agency's behalf. Estimated reports are based on the most recent payment made by the agency 

that best reflects the probable amount of the current obligation. Once an agency generates a 

RITS transaction for a delinquent obligation, the RITS application automatically reverses any 

estimated payment processed by the OPM administrator. 

On a daily basis, the OPM administrator initiates a process to collect all RITS transactions due 

and submitted for payment. This process extracts all health benefit, retirement and life 

insurance program information for transmission to OPM for further processing. At the same 

time; it generates formatted transactions to be submitted to IPAC to transfer funds to satisfy 

the obligations incurred by each report. 

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RITS Incoming Bulk File Layout 

Date Effective: November 2013 

Bulk File Format Conventions 

The following conventions were used in the bulk file formats for this document. 

• All required fields are indicated by a * 

• Values in the column "Type" 

A - Alphanumeric 

N - Numeric 

• Alphanumeric fields are left justified and padded with spaces. 

• Numeric fields are right justified and padded with zeros. 

• Numeric fields with an implied decimal are described in the "Length" column as two numbers 

separated by a decimal. The first number represents the total length of the field. The second 

number represents the implied decimal places within the field. 

-For example, a numeric field defined as 11.2 has a total of 11 bytes with 2 implied 

decimal places. 

• Standard or valid default value(s) of fields are denoted by quotes ("xxxxxx") around the value. 

NOTE: The last digit of the amount field is "signed" with an over-punch to indicate a positive or 

negative dollar amount. 

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RITS Incoming Bulk File Layout 

Date Effective: November 2013 

SF 2812 Data 

Purpose: The data elements reflect a line-by-line listing of the data elements for the 

developmental Retirement and Insurance Transfer System (RITS). Each 2812 

and 2812A are viewed as one transaction containing multiple record types: 

the SF2812 Data will require three records, the number of records necessary 

for the SF 2812A Data will be determined by the number of Health Benefit 

codes reported, and one record will be required for the 2812A Total Record 

Data. 

Data Flow: Input from Federal Program Agencies to RITS 

Output from RITS to OPM 

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RITS Incoming Bulk File Layout 

Date Effective: November 2013 

SF 2812 File Identifier Record 

APPLICATION: RITS 

FILE: 2812 File 

FLOW: Input from Federal Program Agencies to RITS 

RECORD: File Identifier Record 

APPLICATION DATA
 

FIELD COLUMN LENGTH TYPE VALUE/DESCRIPTION 

File ID* 1-7 7 A "RITSBLK"- RITS Bulk File with 

FERS/ RAE enhancement 

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RITS Incoming Bulk File Layout 

Date Effective: November 2013 

SF 2812 Data (Record 1 of 3) 

APPliCATION: RITS 

FILE: 2812 File 

FLOW: Input from Federal Program Agencies to RITS 

RECORD: SF 2812 Data (Record 1 of 3) 

APPLICATION DATA
 

FIELD COLUMN LENGTH TYPE VALUE/DESCRIPTION 

2812 Data Record Type* 1-4 4 N "2812" 

Transaction Code* 5-6 2 N {fOi" 

Payroll Office Number* 7-14 8 N 

Pay Period Code* 15-17 3 A For example, WOl 

Original/Supplemental* 18 1 A (I) Original 2812, (S) Supplemental 

Date Paid* 19-24 6 N YYMMDD 

From Date* 25-30 6 N YYMMDD 

To Date* 31-36 6 N YYMMDD 

Basic Withholdings 37-47 11.2 N Ufe Insurance 

Basic Contributions 48-58 11.2 N Ufelnsurance 

Standard Withholding 59·69 11.2 N Ufe Insurance 

Additional Withholding 70-80 11.2 N Ufe Insurance 

Family Withholding 81-91 11.2 N Ufe Insurance 

Post-Ret. Withholding 92-102 11.2 N Ufe Insurance 

Total Ufe Withholding 103-113 11.2 N Ufe Insurance 

Total Ufe Contributions 114-124 11.2 N Ufe Insurance 

Total Ufe Insurance 125-135 11.2 N Ufe Insurance 

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RITS Incoming Bulk File Layout 

Date Effective: November 2013 

SF 2812 Data (Record 2 of 3) 

APPLICATION: RITS 

FILE: 2812 File 

flOW: Input from Federal Program Agencies to RITS 

RECORD: SF 2812 Data (Record 2 of 3) 

APPLICATION DATA
 

FIELD COLUMN LENGTH TYPE VALUE/DESCRIPTION 

2812 Data Record Type* 1-4 4 N "2812" 

Transaction Code* 5-6 2 N "02" 

Regular Withholding 7-17 11.2 N Health Benefits 

Regular Contribution 18-28 11.2 N Health Benefits 

TCC Withholding 29-39 11.2 N Health Benefits 

TCC Contributions 40-50 11.2 N Health Benefits 

Total HB Withholding 51-61 11.2 N Health Benefits 

Total HB Contributions 62-72 11.2 N Health Benefits 

Total Health Benefits 73-83 11.2 N Health Benefits 

All Category Withholding 84-94 11.2 N Retirement - CSRS 

All Category Contributions 95-105 11.2 N Retirement" CSRS 

Salary Offset Contributions 106-116 11.2 N Retirement - CSRS 

Mil/Civ Dep. Withholding 117-127 11.2 N Retirement - CSRS 

Total CSRS Withholding 128-138 11.2 N Retirement - CSRS 

Total CSRS Contributions 139-149 11.2 N Retirement - CSRS 

Total CSRS 150-160 11.2 N Retirement - CSRS 

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RITS Incoming Bulk File Layout 

Date Effective: November 2013 

SF 2812 Data (Record 3 of 3) 

APPLICATION: RITS 

FILE: 2812 File 

FLOW: Input from Federal Program Agencies to RITS 

RECORD: SF 2812 Data (Record 3 of 3) 

APPLICATION DATA
 

FIELD COLUMN LENGTH TYPE VALUE/DESCRIPTION 

2812 Data Record Type' 1-4 4 N "2812" 

Transaction Code' 5-6 2 N "03" 

Regular Withholding 7-17 11.2 N Retirement - FERS 

Regular Contribution 18-28 11.2 N Retirement - FERS 

Rsve Tech Withholding 29-39 11.2 N Retirement - FERS 

Rsve Tech Contributions 40-50 11.2 N Retirement - FERS 

Special Withhoiding 51-61 11.2 N Retirement - FERS 

Special Contributions 62-72 11.2 N Retirement - FERS 

Salary Offset Contributions 73-83 11.2 N Retirement - FERS 

Military Dep. Withholding 84-94 11.2 N Retirement - FERS 

Total FERS Withholding 95-105 11.2 N Retirement - FERS 

Total FERS Contributions 106-116 11.2 N Retirement - FERS 

Total FERS 117-127 11.2 N Retirement - FERS 

FERS RAE Reg. Withholding 128-138 11.2 N Retirement - FERS RAE 

FERS RAE Reg. Contrib. 139-149 11.2 N Retirement - FERS RAE 

FR Rsve. Tech. Withholding 150-160 11.2 N Retirement - FERS RAE 

FR Rsve. Tech. Contrib. 161-171 11.2 N Retirement - FERS RAE 

FR Special Withholding 172-182 11.2 N Retirement - FERS RAE 

FR Special Contributions 183-193 11.2 N Retirement - FERS RAE 

FERS RAE Salary Offset 194-204 11.2 N Retirement - FERS RAE 

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RITS Incoming Bulk File Layout 

Date Effective: November 2013 

SF 2812 Data (Record 3 of 3) 

APPLICATION: RITS 

FILE: 2812 File 

FLOW: Input from Federal Program Agencies to RITS 

RECORD: SF 2812 Data (Record 3 of 3) 

APPLICATION DATA
 

FIELD COLUMN LENGTH TYPE VALUE/DESCRIPTION 

FR Military Dep. Withhold. 205-215 11.2 N Retirement - FERS RAE 

Total FERS RAE Withhold. 219-226 11.2 N Retirement - FERS RAE 

Total FERS RAE Contrib. 227-237 11.2 N Retirement - FERS RAE 

Total FERS RAE 238-248 11.2 N Retirement - FERS RAE 

Total Retirement W/hold 249-259 11.2 N Retirement 

Total Retirement Contrib. 260-270 11.2 N Retirement 

Total Retirement 271-281 11.2 N Retirement 

Grand Total Withholding 282-294 13.2 N Grand Totals 

Grand Total Contributions 295-307 13.2 N Grand Totals 

Grand Total 308-320 13.2 N Grand Totals 

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RITS Incoming Bulk File Layout 

Date Effective: November 2013 

SF 2812A - Enrollment Code Record 

APPLICATION: RITS 

FILE: 2812A File 

FLOW: Input from Federal Program Agencies to RITS 

RECORD: SF 2812A - Enrollment Code Record 

This record is optional and should be reported only if Health Benefit data is reported. 

APPLICATION DATA
 

FIElD COlUMN LENGTH TYPE VALUE/DESCRIPTION 

2812 Data Record Type* 1-5 5 N "2812A" 

Transaction Code* 6-7 2 N "01"

Enrollment Code #1 8-12 5 A For example, AA2 

HB Withholding & 

Contribution #1 

13-23 11.2 N 

Enrollment Code #2 24-28 5 A For example, BB2 

HB Withholding & 

Contribution #2 

Filler 

29-39 

40-199 

11.2 

160 

N 

A Spaces 

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RITS Incoming Bulk File Layout 

Date Effective: November 2013 

SF 28l2A - Totals Record
 

APPLICATION: RITS 

FILE: 2812A File 

FLOW: Input from Federal Program Agencies to RITS 

RECORD: SF 2812A - Totals Record 

This record is optional and should be reported only if Health Benefit data is reported. 

APPLICATION DATA
 

FIELD COLUMN LENGTH TYPE VALUE/DESCRIPTION 

2812 Data Record Type* 1-5 5 N "2812A" 

Transaction Code* 6-7 2 N "02"

Total Number of 

Enrollment Codes 

8-12 5 N For example, 99999 

Total HB Withholding & 

Contributions 

13-23 11.2 N 

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED