OPM.gov / Retirement / FERS Information / Eligibility

Skip to main content

### In this section

- My Annuity and Benefits Toggle submenu   - Services Online
  - Life Events
  - Annuity Payments
  - Healthcare & Insurance
  - Medicare
  - Thrift Savings Plan
  - Related Federal Benefits
  - Retirement Eligibility Surveys
  - Representative Payees
- CSRS Information Toggle submenu   - Eligibility
  - Computation
  - Creditable Service
  - Planning and Applying
  - Types of Retirement
  - Survivors
  - Military Retired Pay
  - Service Credit
  - Former Employees
- FERS Information Toggle submenu   - Eligibility
  - Computation
  - Creditable Service
  - Planning & Applying
  - Types of Retirement
  - Survivors
  - Military Retired Pay
  - Service Credit
  - Former Employees
- Phased Retirement
- Retirement Statistics
- Special Notices
- Federal Ball Park Estimator
- FEGLI Calculator
- Tax Information for Annuitants
- Publications & Forms Toggle submenu   - Pamphlets
  - Retirement & Insurance Forms
  - Benefits Administration Letters
  - Financial Management Letters
  - Payroll Office Letters
  - CSRS/FERS Handbook
- Benefits Officers Center Toggle submenu   - List of Benefits Officers
  - Tools
  - Aids
  - FERS Election Options
  - Training
  - Reference Materials
- Pre-Retirement
- Post-Retirement
- Leaving the Government
- Survivor Benefits
- How to Make a Payment
- Quick Guide
- Contact Retirement
- Retirement Information Center
- Application Tips

### Resources For

          - New / Prospective Employees
          - Federal Employees
          - Retirees or Family Members
          - Benefits Officers

# Eligibility

## On this page

There are four categories of benefits in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) Basic Benefit Plan:
                  - Immediate
                  - Early
                  - Deferred
                  - Disability

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

## Immediate Retirement

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

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

## Early Retirement

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

## Deferred Retirement

Refers to delayed payment of benefit until criteria are met, as follows:

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

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

## Disability Retirement

Disability Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) Annuity Requirements:

### Special Requirements

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

Back to Top