FERS Supplement Calculator: Estimate Your Early Retirement Bridge
Calculate your FERS Special Retirement Supplement - the Social Security bridge for federal employees retiring before 62.
Key Takeaways
- 1FERS Supplement bridges gap between retirement and Social Security at 62
- 2Only for immediate retirees (MRA+30 or 60+20)
- 3Approximates Social Security benefit earned during federal service
- 4Ends at age 62 whether or not you claim SS
- 5Subject to Social Security earnings test if you work
- 6Not available to MRA+10 retirees or disability retirees
- 7Calculate: Estimated SS benefit × (FERS years ÷ 40)
What Is the FERS Supplement?
The FERS Special Retirement Supplement (SRS) is a bridge payment for federal employees who retire before age 62 - before they can collect Social Security.
- Paid monthly with your FERS annuity
- Approximates Social Security benefit you've earned
- Only covers federal service portion of SS
- Stops at age 62 (your "minimum retirement age" for SS)
- Provides income bridge until SS kicks in
Why It Exists
FERS was designed as a three-legged stool: pension, SS, and TSP. The Supplement ensures retirees have all three legs even if they retire before 62.
Who Qualifies for FERS Supplement?
Not all FERS retirees receive the supplement. Eligibility depends on how you retire.
| Retirement Type | Supplement Eligible? |
|---|---|
| MRA + 30 years | ✅ Yes |
| Age 60 + 20 years | ✅ Yes |
| Age 62 + 5 years | ❌ No (already SS eligible) |
| MRA + 10 years | ❌ No |
| Disability retirement | ❌ No |
| Deferred retirement | ❌ No |
| VERA (early out) | ✅ Yes (with 20+ years) |
MRA+10 Not Eligible
If you retire under MRA+10 (age 57+ with 10-29 years), you do NOT receive the FERS Supplement. Only MRA+30 or 60+20 retirees qualify.
FERS Supplement Formula
The supplement approximates the Social Security benefit you earned during federal service.
- **Formula**: SS benefit at 62 × (FERS years ÷ 40)
- SS benefit estimated as if you claimed at exactly age 62
- Only federal service counts in the calculation
- Assumes 40 years is a "full career" for SS purposes
Calculation Example
If your estimated SS at 62 is $2,000/month and you have 30 years FERS service: $2,000 × (30÷40) = $1,500/month FERS Supplement until age 62.
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How to Estimate Your FERS Supplement
Follow these steps to estimate your supplement.
- 1Get your Social Security estimate at ssa.gov (benefit at 62)
- 2Count your creditable FERS service years
- 3Apply formula: SS at 62 × (FERS years ÷ 40)
- 4Result is your approximate monthly supplement
- 5Remember: supplement ends at 62, then claim SS
- 6Request official estimate from your HR/OPM
FERS Supplement Earnings Test
If you work after retiring, your supplement may be reduced.
- Same earnings test as Social Security
- 2024 limit: $22,320/year exempt
- Supplement reduced $1 for every $2 over limit
- Only earned income counts (not pensions, investments)
- Test applies in calendar year before turning 62
Working Can Reduce Supplement
If you earn more than the annual limit, your supplement is reduced. Plan accordingly if you intend to work in retirement.
Planning Beyond the Supplement
The FERS Supplement provides income until 62, but it's temporary. Ensure you have resources beyond this bridge payment.
- Supplement ends at 62 - plan for transition to SS
- TSP provides additional income and flexibility
- Can roll TSP to IRA for more investment options
- Gold IRA provides inflation protection
- Diversify beyond federal retirement benefits
- Augusta Precious Metals helps with TSP-to-Gold rollovers
Frequently Asked Questions
1Does the FERS Supplement receive COLA?
No, the FERS Supplement does not receive cost-of-living adjustments. It remains the same amount until it ends at age 62.
2What happens at age 62?
The FERS Supplement automatically ends at 62. You then need to claim Social Security (at 62 or later) to replace that income.
3Can I get FERS Supplement if I have non-federal work history?
The supplement only covers your federal service. Your SS estimate includes all work, but only FERS years count in the supplement formula.
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