Q. I am a federal firefighter working in a secondary position under FERS. I will reach the minimum retirement age (MRA) of 57 in three years. At that time, I will have 12 years of federal service as a firefighter in the secondary position. I have never worked in a primary position. Can I retire when I reach the MRA?
A. You will be able to retire under the MRA+10 provision (minimum retirement age plus at least 10 years of service). Your annuity will be calculated under the standard formula and be reduced by 5 percent for every year you are under age 62. You could lessen or eliminate the age penalty by retiring and postponing the receipt of your annuity to a later date.
