Early Outs Not Limited in Number

The guidance adds that like buyouts, early outs may be used for downsizing or restructuring, and may be based on non-personal factors such as occupational grade or series, skills or knowledge related to a position and other organizational or geographic factors. Early outs allow retirement at age 50 with 20 years of service or at any age with 25, although with a penalty for those under the CSRS retirement system who are below age 55. In contrast to the buyout authority, there is no restriction on the number of early retirement offers DoD may make. DoD has used early outs extensively in recent years for downsizing; a major difference under the new authority is that the department no longer will have to seek Office of Personnel Management approval-which was routinely granted in any case-to make early retirement offers. Also, the document notes that having permanent authority will allow the department to plan multi-year use of early outs, in contrast to the year-to-year approach used up to now.