FERS Retirement Calculator: Estimate Your Federal Pension
Calculate your Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) pension. Understand the formula, creditable service, and high-3 salary calculation.
Key Takeaways
- 1FERS pension is one of three components (with Social Security and TSP)
- 2Basic formula: 1% × high-3 salary × years of service
- 31.1% multiplier if retiring at 62 with 20+ years
- 4High-3 is your highest average salary over 3 consecutive years
- 5FERS provides a COLA after age 62
- 6MRA+10 allows retirement with reduced benefits
- 7TSP is the 401(k)-style component you can roll over
Understanding FERS
The Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) is a three-tier retirement plan covering most federal civilian employees hired after 1984.
- **FERS Basic Benefit**: The pension component (this calculator)
- **Social Security**: Federal employees pay into and receive SS
- **TSP**: Thrift Savings Plan - the 401(k)-style component
- FERS replaced CSRS for employees hired after January 1, 1984
- Over 2 million federal employees covered by FERS
Three-Part System
Your total federal retirement income comes from three sources: FERS annuity, Social Security, and TSP. This calculator focuses on the FERS annuity portion.
FERS Annuity Formula
The FERS basic annuity is calculated using a straightforward formula based on your service and salary.
- **Standard formula**: 1% × High-3 × Years of creditable service
- **Age 62+ with 20 years**: 1.1% × High-3 × Years of service
- **Example**: 25 years × 1% × $100,000 = $25,000 annual pension
- **Enhanced**: 25 years × 1.1% × $100,000 = $27,500 at age 62+
FERS Calculation Example
Federal employee with 30 years of service, $95,000 high-3, retiring at 62: 30 × 1.1% × $95,000 = $31,350 annual FERS pension.
High-3 Salary Calculation
Your "high-3" is the average of your highest-paid 36 consecutive months of service.
- Usually your final 3 years before retirement
- Includes basic pay, locality pay, and shift differentials
- Does NOT include overtime, bonuses, or premium pay
- Part-time service prorated based on scheduled hours
- Highest 3 consecutive years at any point in career
Maximize Your High-3
If planning retirement, ensure your last 3 years include your highest salary. A promotion or locality pay increase before retirement directly increases your pension.
Exploring your retirement options?
Our 60-second quiz matches you with the right account type
FERS Retirement Eligibility
When you can retire depends on your age and years of service.
| Type | Age | Service | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Immediate | 62 | 5 years | Full annuity (1.1% if 20+ years) |
| Immediate | 60 | 20 years | Full annuity |
| Immediate | MRA | 30 years | Full annuity |
| MRA+10 | MRA | 10 years | Reduced 5% per year before 62 |
| Deferred | Any | 5 years | Payable at 62 |
Minimum Retirement Age (MRA)
Your MRA depends on birth year: 55 (born before 1948) to 57 (born 1970+). Most current employees have MRA of 57.
How to Calculate Your FERS Pension
Use these steps to estimate your FERS basic annuity.
- 1Determine your creditable service (years and months)
- 2Calculate your high-3 average salary
- 3Apply the formula: 1% (or 1.1%) × high-3 × years
- 4If MRA+10, apply 5% reduction per year before 62
- 5Add FERS Supplement if retiring before 62 (MRA+30 or 60+20)
- 6Factor in sick leave credit if applicable
- 7Check for special provisions (LEO, firefighter, ATC)
- 8Request official estimate from your HR or OPM
FERS Cost-of-Living Adjustments
FERS provides annual COLAs after age 62, but they're limited compared to CSRS.
| CPI Increase | FERS COLA |
|---|---|
| 0-2% | Full CPI |
| 2-3% | 2% |
| Over 3% | CPI minus 1% |
COLA Limitation
FERS COLAs are capped and begin only after age 62. If you retire early, your pension doesn't increase until you turn 62.
Maximizing Your Federal Retirement
Your FERS pension is guaranteed income, but it's just one part of your retirement. The TSP and additional savings provide flexibility and inflation protection.
- FERS COLA is limited - doesn't keep pace with inflation
- TSP can be rolled to IRA for more investment options
- Gold IRA provides inflation protection FERS lacks
- Federal employees often have substantial TSP balances
- Diversify beyond TSP's limited fund options
- Augusta Precious Metals specializes in TSP-to-Gold rollovers
Frequently Asked Questions
1Does unused sick leave count toward FERS?
Yes! Unused sick leave is converted to additional service credit at retirement. 2,087 hours of sick leave equals one year of service credit.
2Can I retire early and get the FERS Supplement?
Yes, if you retire with 30 years at your MRA or 20 years at 60. The FERS Supplement bridges the gap until Social Security eligibility at 62.
3What happens to my TSP when I retire?
You can leave it in TSP, withdraw it, take annuity payments, or roll it to an IRA. Rolling to an IRA gives you more investment choices including Gold IRAs.
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