Since we sent our recent members-only email on VERAs and VSIPs (didn't get it? Join here), we've had some followup questions regarding retirement. Here is the retirement eligibility information from OPM for people subject to the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS):
“Eligibility is determined by your age and number of years of creditable service. In some cases, you must have reached the Minimum Retirement Age (MRA) to receive retirement benefits. Use the following chart to figure your Minimum Retirement Age.
Eligibility Information If you were born Your MRA is:
Before 1948 ─ 55 years of age
In 1948 ─ 55 and 2 months
In 1949 ─ 55 and 4 months
In 1950 ─ 55 and 6 months
In 1951 ─ 55 and 8 months
In 1952 ─ 55 and 10 months
In 1953-1964 ─ 56
In 1965 ─ 56 and 2 months
In 1966 ─ 56 and 4 months
In 1967 ─ 56 and 6 months
In 1968 ─ 56 and 8 months
In 1969 ─ 56 and 10 months
In 1970 and after ─ 57
Immediate Retirement
An immediate retirement benefit is one that starts within 30 days from the date you stop working. If you meet one of the following sets of age and service requirements, you are entitled to an immediate retirement benefit:
62 yrs old ─ 5 yrs of service
60 yrs old ─ 20 yrs of service
MRA ─ 30 yrs of service
MRA ─ 10 yrs of service
If you retire at the MRA with at least 10, but less than 30 years of service, your benefit will be reduced by 5 percent a year for each year you are under 62, unless you have 20 years of service and your benefit starts when you reach age 60 or later.
Early Retirement
The early retirement benefit is available in certain involuntary separation cases and in cases of voluntary separations during a major reorganization or reduction in force. To be eligible, you must meet the following requirements:
50 yrs old ─ 20 yrs of service
Any Age ─ 25 yrs of service
Deferred Retirement
Refers to delayed payment of benefit until criteria are met, as follows:
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 completed at least 5 years of creditable civilian service. You may receive benefits when you reach one of the following ages:
62 yrs old ─ 5 yrs of service
MRA ─ 30 yrs of service
MRA ─ 10 yrs of service
If you retire at the MRA with at least 10, but less than 30 years of service, your benefit will be reduced by 5 percent a year for each year you are under 62, unless you have 20 years of service and your benefit starts when you reach age 60 or later.
Disability Retirement
Disability Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) Annuity Requirements:
Any Age ─ 18 months of service
Special Requirements: You must have become disabled, while employed in a position subject to FERS, because of a disease or injury, for useful and efficient service in your current position. The disability must be expected to last at least one year. Your agency must certify that it is unable to accommodate your disabling medical condition in your present position and that it has considered you for any vacant position in the same agency at the same grade/pay level, within the same commuting area, for which you are qualified for reassignment.”