OPM Retirement Quick Guide

A Reference for Voluntary Retirement

Timelines in this document are current estimates as of 

Mar 2024. View the most current version of this 

document at opm.gov/retirement-center/quick-guide.

Four Things to Do Before You Retire

1. Sign all forms. Missing signatures are one of the most 

common reasons for processing delays.

2. Download your personnel records if your agency

uses eOPF and you want your own copies. You will lose 

access to eOPF once you retire.

3. Complete payments for any open service credit

accounts1 for FERS and CSRS eligible deposit or 

service redeposit. Honorable post-1956 Military

Service deposits must be paid in full before you retire. 

4. Check Supplemental Documents. Include all

documentation required for your retirement

application such as marriage certificate, military

service records, court orders, etc.

Understand Your Benefits Choices

Make sure to understand your elections for the categories 

below. Your choices can significantly impact your annuity 

amount. There are limitations on when you can make 

changes after your retirement is complete.

• Health Benefit2

• Life Insurance3

• Survivor Benefits4

• Designation of Beneficiary5

Factors That Might Delay Your 

Retirement Processing

While most retirement cases will be straightforward, 

certain circumstances can significantly delay the 

process, including:

• Court orders6 such as a divorce decree or property

settlement. These require an additional step and are

sent to the Court Order Benefits Branch for review.

• Experience as a Law Enforcement Officer, Firefighter,

Air Traffic Controller, Capitol Police, Supreme Court

Police, or Nuclear Materials Courier, as these cases use 

a special annuity computation.

• Past or active workers’ compensation claims7.

• Experience as a part-time or intermittent federal

employee.

• Federal service at multiple federal agencies.

• Missing documents and forms, or incomplete or

incorrect information in your retirement application.

• Moving without updating your address with OPM.

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3–5 

Months 

Total

Retirement Date

Often referred to as your date of 

separation for retirement.

Agency and Payroll Processing

Your agency prepares your 

retirement package. 

30–45 days

OPM Intake

Setting you up in the system, 

including interim payments.

10–15 days

OPM Processing

Reviewing and calculating 

your benefits.

25–90 days

Retirement Finalized

Deposit of your first regular 

monthly payment.

Congratulations on your 

upcoming retirement! 

This guide will walk you through what to expect as your 

retirement application is processed and your benefits are 

determined. Most retirees will receive their first full annuity 

check within 3-5 months of retiring. 

During processing, you will receive:

• Interim payments, typically 60–80% of your estimated

net annuity to help cover your expenses.

• Any health insurance coverage you elected to take into

retirement.

• Access to Services Online, a website to track your retirement.

Process at a Glance

Below are current estimates as of March 2024.
Steps you can take

 Record your claim number:

 Note interim payment amount 

and date of first payment:

 Create your Services Online 

account.

 Notify OPM if your address or direct 

deposit information changes.

Date of Retirement

Processing your annuity cannot begin until after your date of separation for 

retirement from your agency. The entire process typically takes 3-5 months 

from this date. Timelines are estimates as of Mar 2024. View the most 

current version of this document at opm.gov/retirement-center/quick-guide.

Track Your Progress Here

Your date of separation for retirement:

OPM Intake (10–15 days)

What’s happening with your case

• OPM receives your retirement information

from your agency payroll office.

• OPM assigns you a Retirement Claim number, 

also known as a CSA number.

• OPM issues your first interim payment,

if eligible.

• OPM sends you information to access

Services Online.

What you’ll receive from OPM

• Claim number with

welcome letter

• First interim payment

• Password to access 

Services Online

Where to get help

opm.gov/support/retirement

Retirement Finalized

The wait is over! 

• OPM issues any adjustment payment, if needed.

• OPM sends your first full annuity payment.

• OPM creates and sends you a personalized 

retirement booklet.

What you’ll receive from OPM

• Adjustment payment, if required

• First regular monthly 

annuity payment

• Personalized retirement booklet

Where to get help

servicesonline.opm.gov

Retirement Information Office:

888-767-6738 | opm.gov/

support/retirement

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Steps you can take

 Review your booklet for accuracy.

Confirm deductions for your health,

dental, vision, long-term care, and 

life insurance.

 Log in to Services Online to see 

annuity information and resources.

 Note adjustment payment amount 

and date received:

Tracking Your Retirement Use this worksheet to keep track of where 

you are in the retirement process and to 

understand what happens during each phase. 

Agency & Payroll Processing (30–45 days)

What’s happening with your case

• Your agency completes your retirement package

and submits to the payroll office.

• Your payroll office issues your final paycheck and 

lump-sum payment for any unused annual leave.

• Your payroll office assembles your retirement

records and sends them to OPM.

What you’ll receive from your 

agency or payroll office

• Final paycheck

• Annual leave payment

Where to get help

Your agency HR office

Steps you can take

 Notify your agency if your address 

changes.

 Record HR Contact Information:

OPM Processing (25-90 days)

What’s happening with your case

• OPM issues monthly interim payments,

if eligible.

• OPM reviews your case and

calculates annuity.

What you’ll receive from OPM

• Monthly interim payments 

Where to get help

servicesonline.opm.gov

Retirement Information Office:

888-767-6738 | opm.gov/

support/retirement

Steps you can take

 Manage your dental, vision, 

and long-term care coverage 

through BENEFEDS.com.

 Log in to Services Online to 

confirm your case status.
Retirement Date

Date of Separation for Retirement 

Be sure to meet with your benefits office at least 60 days 

before your chosen date of separation for retirement. They 

can provide you with a calculation of your estimated annuity 

and any information you need to choose your benefits. Your 

agency and payroll office will start processing your case after 

your official date of separation for retirement.

Agency & Payroll Processing

Payroll Office

In addition to issuing your final paycheck and any payment 

for unused annual leave, your payroll office also plays 

an important role in assembling documentation for your 

retirement. Many payroll offices are external, which can 

increase the time needed to assemble and send your 

records to OPM for processing.

OPM Intake & Processing

Interim Pay 

Interim pay8 is a portion of your estimated annuity payment 

(approximately 60–80% of your finalized net payment for most 

people). It is intended to help cover expenses while OPM is 

processing your case. 

• Interim payments do not include deductions for health

benefits, life insurance, dental, vision, or long-term care.

• The only deduction taken from interim payments is for 

federal tax. State tax is not deducted from interim payments.

• You must manage your dental, vision, and long-term care

insurance through BENEFEDS while in interim pay.

• Your interim payment does not take into account any

annuity supplement you may be eligible to receive.

Health & Life Insurance

Any health or life insurance coverage you have elected to take 

into retirement will be active while your case is being processed. The premiums for this coverage will be withheld from 

your adjustment payment once your case is complete.

Services Online 

You can manage many aspects of your annuity account online 

using Services Online. You will receive more details about 

logging into Services Online as soon as your case is eligible, 

which is typically during the Intake phase.

You can access Services Online to see updates on your case 

when you are assigned to a specialist and when your case is 

completed. You can also make changes to your mailing and 

email addresses and direct deposit information.

Helpful Resources

OPM Retirement Support Center

opm.gov/support/retirement

Articles and information to help you prepare for retirement, 

including Frequently Asked Questions on a range of topics. If 

you require additional help, call the Retirement Information 

Office at 888-767-6738 and have your claim number ready.

Services Online

servicesonline.opm.gov

Check the status of your case or make changes to your

contact or payment information during OPM Processing. 

BENEFEDS

BENEFEDS.com

Manage your dental, vision, and long-term care coverage 

during processing.

CSRS and FERS Handbook

opm.gov/retirement-center/publications-forms/

csrsfers-handbook/

Advises Federal agencies about benefits administration.

URL Endnotes

1. opm.gov/retirement-center/how-to-make-a-payment

2. opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare

3. opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/life-insurance

4. opm.gov/retirement-center/survivor-benefits

5. opm.gov/retirement-center/my-annuity-and-benefits/

life-events/#url=Designating-Beneficiary

6. opm.gov/retirement-center/my-annuity-and-benefits/

life-events/#url=Court-Order

7. opm.gov/retirement-center/my-annuity-and-benefits/

related-federal-benefits/#url=Workers-Compensation

8. opm.gov/retirement-center/my-annuity-and-benefits/

annuity-payments/#url=New-Retiree

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Retirement Finalized

Adjustment Payment

OPM issues an adjustment payment to make up the 

difference between your interim and finalized annuity 

amount. Any premiums due for health and life insurance 

since you retired will also be deducted. Please note that your 

adjustment payment information is not currently available 

on Services Online.

Annuity Payment Date

The payment date for your annuity is always the first 

business day of the month and the payment is for the 

prior month. For example, annuitants will receive their May 

retirement payment on June 1.

Key Terms