The retirement application and related forms have important information. Make sure you read this information carefully before filling out the forms. Retirement packages for CSRS/FERS employees who are filing applications for Optional/Voluntary Retirement should send their retirement packages no earlier than 4 to 6 weeks before the effective date of your retirement to your Benefits and Retirement Specialist.

Forms SF-2801-1 (CSRS) and SF-3107-1 (FERS) Certified Summary of Federal Service will be completed by your Benefits and Retirement Specialist. You will need to review and sign this form after it is completed. This will confirm that your work history is correct and that all service has been properly documented.

When the exact retirement date has been decided, your office should prepare an SF-52 Request for Personnel Action, have it signed by the appropriate authority, and send it to your Benefits and Retirement Specialist. You will need to complete a Memorandum for Lump Sum Annual Leave Income Tax Deduction. You must also request that your office complete a CD-126 Clearance Form, CD-527 Leave Audit and CD-529 Lump Sum Leave and Compensatory Time Payments Form before you retire. Your office should send these documents, along with the Memorandum for Lump Sum Annual Leave Income Tax Deduction, directly to your Human Resources Assistant. The assistant is responsible for processing your lump-sum annual leave payment.

Once the forms have been completed on-line, you must print, sign, date, and mail them to your Benefits and Retirement Specialist. It is important to make a copy of all forms for your records.

How does my retirement package get to OPM?

Once your Benefits and Retirement Specialist receives your retirement package, they will review the paperwork for completeness and contact you if there are discrepancies or problems with any of the paperwork. Your Specialist will also be available to provide guidance and assistance with answering your questions regarding the retirement process. Two weeks before your retirement date, the Specialist will forward your retirement package to the National Finance Center (NFC). NFC will certify and close out your Individual Retirement Record (IRR). The IRR reflects your retirement contributions for your current service, pay rates, unused sick leave credit for civil service requirement purposes, last day of pay and date and type of separation, and other data that is necessary for Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to determine retirement benefits.

How do I continue FEDVIP and/or LTC into Retirement?

You must contact BENEFEDS and/or LTC directly to set up premium payments until your annuity is adjudicated. If a payment is missed for your LTC insurance, it may be cancelled. Once OPM finalizes your retirement, BENEFEDS and/or LTC will work with you and OPM to establish deductions from your annuity.

When will I receive my first annuity payment?

When the actions described above are completed, NFC will forward the hard copy retirement package to OPM. Once OPM's Retirement Operations Center in Boyers, Pennsylvania, receives the retirement application from the agency, OPM will send an acknowledgment letter that provides you with a retirement claim number. When your entitlement to an annuity is clear, OPM will normally authorize recurring interim annuity payments to provide you with income until your claim is completed. Therefore, you should receive your first payment within 3 to 4 weeks after OPM has received the retirement package from NFC.

Retirement Packages

WFMO Benefits and Retirement Contact List

Page Last Updated: March 28, 2008