What is FERS?
The Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS) is a retirement plan that started on January 1, 1987. It has three parts: Social Security, a basic retirement benefit from FERS, and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). If you leave your federal job before you retire, you can take Social Security and your TSP savings with you to your next job.
You are covered by FERS if:
• You were first hired on or after January 1, 1984; or,
• You were rehired after a break in service of more than one year but with less than five years of creditable CSRS civilian service; or,
• You elected to transfer to FERS; or,
• You were rehired in a covered position after a separation from a FERS position.
Refer to OPM’s FERS page for more information on the Federal Employees’ Retirement System (FERS), including retirement eligibility.
FERS Separation (Non-Retirement)
If you separated from the Federal government and were not eligible for retirement benefits, refer to the NIH Former Employee’s webpage.
Applying for FERS Retirement
If you are within one year of retirement, you should request a retirement estimate through the WiTS portal.
If you plan to retire in the next 3-4 months and you've asked for a retirement estimate already, you should fill out your retirement forms using the Checklist – FERS-CSRS Optional Retirement as a guide and submit them to your retirement specialist. You can sign these forms digitally with your government PIV card, or you can print them out, sign them by hand, scan them, and email them.
Forms or actions by you include:
| Form/Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Employee Checklist |
Required.
|
| Routing and Transmittal Slip |
Required.
|
| SF-3107 |
Required
|
|
Required if you have prior military service or Workers’ Comp claim.
|
|
Required.
|
|
Required if you are married and the maximum survivor benefit is not elected.
|
| SF-2818 |
Required if you have life insurance at retirement.
|
| Beneficiary Forms |
Optional.
|
| W-4P | Federal Tax Withholding Form |
| DD 214 or Equivalent | If you have prior military service, include all DD 214(s), member 4s or equivalent. |
| Marriage Certificate (Copy) |
Required if you are currently married.
|
| Divorce Decree (Certified Copy) |
Required if you are divorced and your former spouse is entitled to part of your annuity.
|
| Digital Signatures | Use this Job Aid to help you sign your retirement papers digitally. |
| Other Reminders |
|
You may also wish to review the OPM Retirement Quick Guide for additional information regarding your upcoming retirement.
When completing your retirement forms, be mindful of common mistakes that can cause delays.
- Provide all required signatures and double-check the completeness of forms prior to submission.
- Use your personal contact information on the paperwork, not your work contact. This is how OPM will contact you after retirement.
- If you make a mistake completing the form, complete a new one. Identified corrective actions can cause delays.
Refer to OPM's application tips page for more common application errors.
Disability Applicants
In addition to the above forms, also complete:
- SF-3112 - Application for Disability Retirement
- SF 3112A - Applicant Statement of Disability
- SF 3112B - Supervisor's Statement - Provide this form along with the SF-3112A to your immediate supervisor.
- SF 3112C - Physician's Statement - You and/or your physician will need to provide a signed copy of the SF-3112C and medical documentation to support your request for disability retirement. Be sure to make a copy of this information for your records before sending it to the Benefits Office.
- SF 3112D - Agency Certification of Reassignment and Accommodation Efforts - Provide the SF-3112D along with a copy of the SF-3112A and SF-3112B and any other relevant documentation to a reasonable accommodation consultant. Submit your reasonable accommodation request here or email the team at [email protected].
- Social Security Disability Application Confirmation
Postponed Retirements
If you were eligible for MRA+10 upon your separation and chose to postpone your retirement annuity to reduce or eliminate the age reduction, you should send the postponed retirement application (RI 92-19) and other applicable forms to OPM 60 days prior to turning age 62.
What happens if I miss the filing date?
You will be able to choose one of the following options:
- A retroactive age reduced annuity effective the month after your separation date. You will be entitled to continue FEHB and FEGLI as long as you were eligible when you separated. Your unused sick leave balance will also be credited in your retirement annuity.
- An unreduced annuity to be effective the first of the month after you turned age 62. You will NOT be eligible for FEHB or FEGLI. Your unused sick leave balance will be forfeited.
New Retirees
OPM Resources
As a new retiree, you may have some questions or need to contact OPM directly. OPM’s Information for FERS Annuitants booklet (RI 90-8) can provide additional information about FERS retirement. If you need to contact OPM, refer to OPM’s contact page. Other retirement FAQs can be found on OPM’s Retirement FAQs page.
Thrift Savings Plan
Withdrawals are filed directly with the TSP Service Office after retirement. You must take your first Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) by April 1st of the year following either the year you reach your RMD age or the year you retire (whichever is later).
- Submit a Withdrawal Request - Log into Your TSP Account
- Tax Information
- Withdrawal Options
Access to NIH Campus After Retirement
Other Retirement Resources
- Applying for Immediate Retirement Under FERS
- OPM Retirement Facts Brochure
- Federal Health Benefits and Medicare
- FERS Transfer Handbook
- FERS Retirement Helpful Links
- Information About Disability Retirement (FERS)
- Discontinued Service Retirement Fact Sheet
- Voluntary Early Retirement Fact Sheet
- What to Expect After Retirement