CSRS & FERS 20 Year Retirement Eligibility

A special 20-year retirement system was created for certain designated positions which require employees to meet vigorous physical demands. Because of the physical demands, this retirement system allows employees to retire sooner, with just 20 years of service. It also includes a mandatory retirement when the employee reaches a designated age or years of service.

 

Eligibility to retire under the special 20-year provision depends on the both the retirement system (CSRS or FERS) and the position.

Positions covered under the 20-year retirement system

• Law Enforcement Officers (LEO)
• Firefighters (FF)
• Air Traffic Controllers (ATC)
• Nuclear Weapons Couriers (NWC)

 

Unsure of your retirement coverage? 

Check Block 30 of your Notification of Personnel action, SF-50.  If you are covered under the special retirement system, the retirement code will be either:

• 6 – CSRS Special
• E – CSRS Offset Special
• M – FERS Special

 Eligibility Requirements Menu

• CSRS Eligibility (LEO, FF & NWC)
• FERS Eligibility (LEO, FF, & NWC)
• CSRS & FERS Eligibility (ATC)
• Annuity Computations (FERS & CSRS)
• Retirement Deductions (CSRS/FERS)
• Mandatory Separations
• Maximum Entry Age
• Primary/Secondary Positions
• General Considerations
  • Leaving Federal Service
    •  Consequences of leaving before you have 20 years service
  • Military Service Credit
  • TSP Issues
• What to do When You Retire Early
• Retirement cost analysis - Evaluate pre and post income and expenses
• Annuities - How much will you earn in retirement
  • Sick leave computations - CSRS and FERS
• Ask the Experts - Find answers to unusual situations
• Federal Employees Forum
• OPM Special Retirement Handbook and References

CSRS Eligibility (LEO, FF & NWC)

CSRS Retirement Eligibility
Law Enforcement Officers (LEO),  Firefighters (FF), and Nuclear Weapons Couriers (NWC)
	Years of Service
50	20
Note: You must have 3 years primary coverage first, followed by secondary coverage with no break.

 

Helpful Links:

• CSRS Annuity computation for Firefighters (OPM guidance)

FERS Eligibility (LEO, FF & NWC)

 

FERS Retirement Eligibility
Law Enforcement Officers (LEO),  Firefighters (FF), and Nuclear Weapons Couriers (NWC)
Age	Years of Service
50	20
Any Age	25 (at least 3 years primary)
Note: You must have 3 years primary coverage first, followed by secondary coverage with no break.

 

Helpful Links:

• FERS Annuity computation for Firefighters (OPM guidance)

CSRS & FERS Eligibility (ATC)

  

CSRS and FERS Eligibility
Air Traffic Controllers (ATC)
Age	Years of Service
50	20
Any Age	25

 

Annuity Computations (FERS & CSRS)

• CSRS Retirement Annuity Formula:
  2.5 percent X High-3 Average Salary X 20 Years of LEO Service plus 2 percent X High-3 Average Salary X Additional years of creditable service exceeding 20 years (LEO & non-LEO), including military deposit service.
• FERS Retirement Annuity Formula:
  1.7 percent X High-3 Average Salary X 20 Years of LEO Service plus 1 percent X High-3 Average Salary X Additional years of creditable service exceeding 20 years (LEO & non-LEO), including military deposit service. A retiree annuity supplement is payable before age 62 in addition to the basic annuity.

CSRS/FERS Retirement Deductions

Under both CSRS and FERS, the payroll deductions for CSRS/FERS are ½ percent more than for regular federal employees.  Under the special provisions for FERS, the payroll deduction is 1.3% and for CSRS, the payroll deduction is 7.5%.

Mandatory Separations

To meet the goal of maintaining a young and vigorous work force, a mandatory separation provision applies to these positions. Employees must be separated when they meet specific age and service requirements.  The law does allow departmental agency heads to waive mandatory retirement when it is in the public interest.

 

Mandatory Retirement
Group	Age	Years of Service
LEO/FF/NWC	57	20
ATC	56	20

 

Employees without 20 years of covered service at age 56 or 57, are separated at the end of the month in which they attain 20 years of covered service.  If an employee is no longer in a position under the special retirement provisions, the mandatory separation provisions do not apply.

Maximum Entry Age

The law also allows federal agencies to establish maximum entry age of 36 or 37, which allows the employee to attain the 20 years of service before the mandatory retirement age.

Primary/Secondary Positions