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There are five categories of benefits under the Civil Service
Retirement System (CSRS). Eligibility is based on your age and the
number of years of creditable service and any other special
requirements. In addition, you must have served in a position subject to
CSRS coverage for one of the last two years before your retirement. If
you meet one of the following sets of requirements, you may be eligible
for an immediate retirement benefit. An immediate annuity is one that
begins within 30 days after your separation.
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CSRS
Eligibility Menu
Type of
Retirement |
Minimum
Age |
Minimum
Service
(Years) |
Special Requirements |
| Optional
|
62 |
5 |
None |
| 60 |
20 |
| 55 |
30 |
Special
Optional |
50 |
20 |
You must retire
under special provisions for air traffic controllers or law
enforcement and firefighter personnel. Air traffic controllers can
also retire at any age with 25 years of service as an air traffic
controller. |
Early
Optional |
Any Age |
25 |
Your agency must
be undergoing a major reorganization, reduction-in-force, or
transfer of function determined by the Office of Personnel
Management. Annuity is reduced if under 55. |
| 50 |
20 |
Discontinued
Service |
Any Age |
25 |
Your separation is
involuntary and not a removal for misconduct delinquency. |
| 50 |
20 |
| Disability |
Any Age |
5 |
You must be
disabled for useful and efficient service in your current position
and any other vacant position at the same grade or pay level within
your commuting area and current agency for which you are qualified.
Must be prior to retirement, or within one year of separation,
except in cases of mental incompetence.
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If you leave Federal service before you meet the age and service requirements
for an immediate retirement benefit, you may be eligible for
deferred retirement
benefits. To be eligible, you must have at least 5 years of creditable civilian
service and be age 62.
To collect your deferred annuity complete
OPM form 1496A
and send it to the address listed on the form.
Contact OPM directly
if you need assistance or to obtain a copy of this form with your service
dates. The first part of the form is compelted by OPM and includes a summary
of your federal service. To estimate the amount of the CSRS annuity and/or the amount of the refund of
the retirement contributions go to the CSRS annuity
page. There is no reason to delay applying for the annuity beyond age 62. If you withdraw the funds, consider placing the money in a Roth or Traditional IRA with potential
for growth. If you decide on the CSRS annuity - the
annuity will not increase by
waiting beyond the date you are first eligibility for the annuity.
Return to Eligibility
Go to Annuity
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