OPM Drafts Phased Retirement Forms

OPM has sent agencies drafts of the forms to be used in applications for phased retirement while reiterating that it won’t accept applications until November 6, when the forms will be posted on the OPM site. New form SF 3116 will apply for phased retirement under both CSRS and FERS; it runs 14 pages, although most of that involves description of eligibility rules, status of benefits and other similar matters. That form will be used along with the regular applications for immediate retirement, SF 2801 for CSRS and SF 3107 under FERS. The phased retirement election on the new form takes up only one page, half of that devoted to the agency’s approval of the election. Separate pages on the same form will be used for those wishing to move to another agency and/or to return to full-time work from phased retirement, again with approval necessary. There also will be separate instructional forms for each system for completing the initial application (SF 2825 for CSRS and SF 3117 for FERS), as well separate instructions for applying to leave phased retirement for full retirement (SF 2826 and SF 3118).