10 Numbers Federal Employees Should Know

1.1%

The maximum multiplier most employees may receive on the FERS basic annuity is 1.1%. You must retire on an immediate annuity having reached age 62 (or older) with 20 or more years of service. This is a 10% raise above the most common 1% multiplier. *Of course, Special Category Employers carry their own rules and multiplier. 

Minimum Retirement Age

Eligibility for retirement benefits is determined by your age and creditable service. In some instances, your retirement benefits are tied to MRA. FERS basic annuity, special retirement supplement. You’ll need to understand additional rules that apply. 

Do you know your MRA? It’s easy to find on OPM.gov.

62

Age 62 can be big for federal employees. Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs) start on the FERS basic annuity, Social Security eligibility begins, retirees may be eligible for the 1.1% FERS annuity multiplier, and the Special Retirement Supplement ends.

5

There are various 5-year rules to be aware of.  Including those related to FEGLI, FEHB, & Qualified Roth TSP distributions

To continue coverage into retirement FEGLI requires you to be insured for the 5 years of service immediately before the date your annuity starts, or the full period of service during which you were eligible to be insured. 

Similarly, FEHB requires you to have been continuously enrolled (or covered as a family member) for the five years of service immediately preceding retirement, or for all service since your first opportunity to enroll. 

Rule of 55

Employees leaving service in the year they turn 55 may access the traditional TSP without an early withdrawal penalty. If you leave service prior to the year you turn 55 early withdrawal penalties will apply until age 59.5.   

Survivor Benefit Protection (SBP) Premium

The option to protecting loved ones with a survivor benefit is powerful feature of the FERS basic annuity. SBP works like this: 

 50% survivor annuity is available for a 10% premium (reduction) of the basic annuity amount.

or

25% survivor annuity is available for a 5% premium (reduction) of the basic annuity amount.

➡️ 50% for 10% & 25% for 5% are your options. 

Retirement Service Computation Date

You would be surprised how often this information is incorrect. There can be discrepancy if there are breaks in service or other similar circumstances on your employee record. This date is very important as it is what OPM uses to calculate your pension benefit. You may find your RSCD from your Agency’s human resources department, the SCD information you’ll find on your summary of benefits relates to annual leave. 

Tax Allocation Summary

You knew I was going to bring financial planning into this list at some point. Your tax allocation summary is how are your various accounts currently setup and funded. How much do you have in taxable, pre-tax, and after-tax money? We want to know the numbers here for our retirement income plan.

Tax bracket

It’s always surprising how many people don’t know which tax bracket they are in. How is the last dollar you make taxed… we need to know for retirement and tax planning purposes.  

Savings Rate

How much are you saving as a % of gross income – and what does this equal as a dollar amount? How much is going to each of the tax allocation buckets we just referenced? 

BONUS: Take home retirement income estimate

How much income will you have in your pocket after deductions from retirement pay? Common deductions include:

1. Survivor Benefit Premiums
2. Federal & State Income Taxes
3. FEHB
4. FEGLI
5. Annuity reduction for early retirement

Be honest how many of these 11 numbers did you know? I’d love to hear the answer and any other key numbers you are using in your retirement plan. 

As always, I hope you’ve found this information useful, and I would encourage you to take the time to track down these numbers as they relate to your personal situation. 

I also publish a biweekly newsletter with insights into topics like this and more. If you’d like to join the list, please subscribe here. 

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. I’m here to help.

-Justin

*The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information.

This material was created for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as ERISA, tax, legal or investment advice. If you are seeking investment advice specific to your needs, such advice services must be obtained on your own separate from this educational material