Retirement
Retirement is one of the most important events in your life and takes careful planning.
New Employees
As a new federal employee, you are covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS)-Further Revised Annuity Employees (FRAE) plan. FERS-FRAE is a defined benefit plan that provides a future annuity based on your years of creditable service and highest three years of salary. Under this plan, you contribute 4.4% of your biweekly salary to FERS-FRAE.
Former Employees
It is possible that you are excluded from FERS-FRAE retirement coverage if you are being rehired into the Federal government. During your onboarding process, a Human Resources representative will review your service history to determine if you should be returned to the retirement coverage you had in your last Federal appointment or be placed under FERS-FRAE. Any additional information you can provide to the Benefits Service Center, such as copies of prior Standard Form 50s, are very helpful in making accurate retirement coverage decisions.
Retirement Enhancement Opportunities
Military Service:
If you performed military service before 1957, your active duty time is fully creditable for retirement purposes.
If you performed active duty military service after 12/31/1956, you should consider making a military deposit so this service is creditable toward your future retirement. Interest is charged on the deposit if you do not pay it in full within three years of the date you first become covered under the retirement system. You MUST pay your military deposit before you retire.
Non-Deduction / Refunded Service:
If you were previously employed in a position that was not covered by CSRS or FERS, you may be eligible to make a deposit, plus interest, into the retirement fund to receive service credit for this time period.
If you elected to take a refund of your retirement contributions for a previous period of employment, you should consider redepositing the amount of your refund, plus interest, in the retirement fund to receive service credit in your annuity computation.
Contact Us
Contact the Benefits, Compensation, and Staffing Branch at (304) 480 - 8998 or NARAHR@fiscal.treasury.gov if you have any questions about your retirement coverage or how to gain credit for military or non-deduction/refunded service.