OPM.gov / Retirement / faq / FERS Annuity Supplement Survey

# Learn more about the FERS Annuity Supplement Survey

FAQs and answers about the FERS Annuity Supplement Survey.

## Questions and answers

###                                             I have never received the FERS Annuity Supplement Survey before. What purpose does it serve?                                        

The annuity supplement portion of your monthly payment is subject to an annual earnings test. You have received the FERS Annuity Supplement Survey to determine if you earned more than then exempt amount ($19,560 for 2022) set by the Social Security Administration. If you earned more than the exempt amount, your supplement will be reduced $1 for every $2 you go over the limit.

Your annuity is not affected.

###                                             What is the FERS annuity supplement exempt amount for this year?                                        

The exempt amount for the FERS annuity supplement is $19,560 in 2022.

###                                             I worked in 2022, but I earned less than the exempt amount. Do I still need to return the FERS Annuity Supplement Survey form?                                        

You do not have to return the FERS Annuity Supplement Survey form if you earned less than the exempt amount, unless your supplement had been reduced in a previous year.

###                                             I am self-employed. What do I count as earnings?                                        

You should count your net earnings, e.g. your earnings after expenses.

###                                             What do I report as earnings?                                        

You should report any earned income in the prior year after retirement.

"Earned Income" means:
                      - Any salary or pay you received working for someone else (including overtime, vacation pay, bonuses, and severance pay, etc.);
                      - If you are self-employed, any self-employment net earnings made from working or managing your own business;
                      - Deferred income (income you earned but didn't receive during this calendar year); and
                      - If you are re-employed in Federal service, the gross income before your employing agency offsets your salary.

Generally, all income subject to Federal Employment taxes or self-employment net profit is considered earned income. Work wages are on any W-2 statement issued by an employer.

Do not include any income earned before retirement.

Income reported on IRS Form 1099 are not considered earned income and should not be reported, such as: Civil Service Retirement benefits, annuities, pensions, Social Security benefits, Veteran's benefits, and military retired pay, withdrawals from 401K plans, unemployment compensation, workers' compensation, interest and dividends from savings accounts, stocks, personal loans, or home mortgages held, insurance proceeds, gifts, inheritances, estates, trusts, endowments, prizes, awards, gambling or lottery winnings, alimony/child support, scholarships or fellowships, pay for jury duty, capital gains from the sale of personal property, amounts received in court actions, and rents or royalties unless received in the course of your trade or business.

###                                             I have just begun receiving Social Security disability benefits. Does this type of Social Security payment make me ineligible to continue receiving the FERS annuity supplement?                                        

No, the Social Security disability benefit does not cancel out the FERS annuity supplement.

###                                             I took some money out of my TSP account. Do I count that as earnings?                                        

No, TSP disbursements do not count as earnings.

###                                             I lost my FERS annuity supplement in a previous year.  How do I reinstate it?                                        

Are you under 62 for the tax year in question? If so, request reinstatement in writing, and list your claim number, phone number, and a return address on your signed request. Provide your 1040 tax returns for the year in question, associated W-2s (both you and spouse if filed jointly), and the Social Security Administration’s Summary of Earnings Report. Please fax this documentation to Retirement Surveys and Students at (202) 606-0022. This documentation may also be mailed to the following address:

###                                             I didn't have any earnings besides my annuity. Do I still need to return the FERS Annuity Supplement Survey form?                                        

You do not have to return the FERS Annuity Supplement Survey form, unless your supplement has been reduced in a previous year.

### Was this helpful?

##                                         A claim number is required to make a help submission.                                    

                                            If you are an annuitant, you can find your CSA or CSF claim number on your 1099-R, your annual COLA notice or your Benefits Booklet.                                        

                                            If you are unable to locate your CSA or CSF claim number, or you are not a retiree, former spouse of a retiree or a survivor of a retiree, or you are inquiring about the status of a refund application, please contact us on                                        

                                            1-888-767-6738 and one of our representatives will be able to assist you.                                        

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## Contact us for more support

### Report a Death

To report a death of a Retired Federal Employee or Current Federal Employee, please click the link below that applies:
              - Report Death of a Federal Retiree
              - Report Death of a Current Federal Employee

### **Submit a help request                                    

Submit your information below and one of our Customer Service Specialists will begin working on your request. All fields are required. We usually respond within 3 to 5 business days.

Please be advised that the information submitted must be entered by the annuitant or on behalf of the annuitant by the Representative Payee.
                                                    Formatting requirements**

Your claim number will start with "CSA" or "CSF". Enter A or F below, followed by your 7-digit claim number and your 1-character suffix (For Example: 0 or W)

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### **                                        Call us                                    

Call us if you can't find an answer to your question on OPM.gov or if you can't sign in to OPM Retirement Services Online to manage your annuity account. You may also need to call us for special or complex cases, or because we directed you to.

**Phone:**1-888-767-6738TTY: 711

**Hours:** Monday thru Friday, 7:40 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ETClosed on federal holidays

Our busiest time is between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. ET.

### **Write to us                                    

Please make sure your first and last name, phone number, email address, claim number, and signature are included in any inquiries or documents you mail to us. We usually respond within 1 to 3 weeks after we receive your mail.

**Retirement Operations Center**                                        U.S. Office of Personnel Management                                        Post Office Box 45                                        Boyers, PA 16017                                    

### **Visit us in person                                    

**Retirement Services Support Center**                                        U.S. Office of Personnel Management                                        1900 E. Street, NWRoom 1323                                        Washington, DC 20415Directions**

**Hours:** Monday thru Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to                                        4:00 p.m. ET                                        Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET                                        Closed on federal holidays                                    

### **Fax us documents                                    

OPM Retirement Services does not have a main fax number.

You should only fax us documents if an official OPM form or one of our Customer Service Specialists asks you to (the fax number will be provided on the form, or the Customer Service Specialist will provide you one.) Otherwise, you should mail us your documents.