You must certify (under penalty of law) that all the statements made in this application are true to the best of your knowledge and belief. Image: JARIRIYAWAT/Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffWhether you are preparing long in advance for putting in your retirement application or do it on shorter notice, you want to make sure you do it right. Errors or omissions in an application are one of the factors leading to delays in processing, which means delays in receiving your full benefits.
There are two application forms for immediate retirement. You’ll find the one for CSRS employees at www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf2801.pdf and the one for FERS employees at www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf3107.pdf. While the explanations and directions for the CSRS form takes up 11 pages, the one for FERS takes only four.
With slight variations, these elements are common to both the CSRS and FERS forms, although not presented in the same order. Here are key things to note, in the order they are listed on the FERS version.
Section A – Identifying Information
In these boxes you’ll need to put your full name (and any other name you’ve gone by), date of birth, Social Security number, home address, phone number, and email address. You’ll also have to indicate if you are a U.S. citizen and if you are filing for disability retirement.
Section B – Federal Service
Here you’ll have to put down the department or agency you are retiring from, the title of your position, your pay plan and occupational series, and the date you want to retire. You’ll also have to say whether you were honorably discharged from the armed forces and if you are receiving or entitled to military retired pay. Note: If you are receiving or entitled to reserve retired pay, check the No box.
Section C – Martial Information (FERS)
Section E – Marital Information (CSRS)
If you aren’t married, check No. If you are, check Yes and provide your spouse’s name, date of birth, Social Security number, etc. If you are divorced and any benefits are due to your former spouse, you’ll have to check the Yes box and provide a copy of the court order(s) and any amendments.
Section D – Annuity Election (FERS)
Section F – Annuity Election (CSRS)
Here you need to initial the box beside the annuity you want to receive. You can choose a reduced annuity with a maximum survivor annuity (55 percent for CSRS, 50 percent for FERS), a reduced annuity with a partial survivor annuity (any amount from $1 up for CSRS, 25 percent for FERS). You can also elect an annuity that is only payable during your lifetime or, as with your FEGLI benefit, is payable to a former spouse or someone who has an insurable interest in you (but only with your spouse’s written consent, if you are married).
Section E – Insurance Information (FERS)
Section D – Insurance Information (CSRS)
If you are eligible to continue your health insurance coverage. To be eligible to do that, you must have been enrolled in the program for the 5 consecutive years before you retire (or from your first opportunity to enroll in the program). If you meet that requirement, check Yes. Then check Yes or No to the question asking if a court order requires you to provide health benefits coverage to any children.
Next answer Yes of No to your eligibility to continue your FEGLI coverage. To be eligible, you meet the same length of coverage requirement as the one mentioned above for health insurance. Next you need to initial the box that matches your decision about what you want to happen with your FEGLI benefit. While you have some say over what happens, the law doesn’t permit you to exclude your spouse from receiving it if you die. Note: If you aren’t married, you have the option of having your FEGLI benefit go to either a former spouse or someone who has an insurable interest in you.
Section F – Other Claims Information (FERS)
Section C – Other Claims Information (CSRS)
This section only applies to someone who is receiving or has applied for workers’ compensation from the Department of Labor because of a job-related illness or injury. If this applies to you, fill it out; if it doesn’t, skip it.
Section G – Information About Your Unmarried Dependent Children (CSRS & FERS)
Providing the names, dates of birth, and disability (if any) of your children is optional but would be useful for OPM to have on hand in the event of your death.
Section I – Applicant’s Certification (CSRS & FERS)
Here’s where you certify (under penalty of law) that all the statements made in this application are true to the best of your knowledge and belief. Following that is a list of items related to military service, survivor election, life insurance, OWCP, federal tax, and court or administrative order to which you need to answer Yes, No, or Not Applicable.
In effect, it’s a way of leading you back through the rest of the application to make sure that you haven’t missed anything.
While the sections above are a lot to deal with, there are three schedules to deal with before you are done. They seek to find out – Yes or No – whether you served in the armed forces, are or will receive military retired pay, or if you are or will receive workers’ compensation benefits.
It takes time to fill out these forms, in part because you’ll have to dig into your files (or your memory) to answer some of the questions. That’s one of the reasons that it’s a good idea to get started well in advance of the day you plan to retire.
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See also,
Legal: How to Challenge a Federal Reduction in Force (RIF) in 2025
The Best Ages for Federal Employees to Retire
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Primer: Early out, buyout, reduction in force (RIF)
Retention Standing, ‘Bump and Retreat’ and More: Report Outlines RIF Process
