Q. How do I apply for CSRS deferred retirement?
A. Go to www.opm.gov/forms and download a copy of OPM Form 1496A. Compete the form and send it to OPM no earlier than 60 days before you reach age 62.
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Reg Jones
Reg Jones was head of retirement and insurance policy at the Office of Personnel Management. Email your retirement-related questions to fedexperts@federaltimes.com.
3 Comments
If this person is still working for the Federal government as a CSRS employee, they should be eligible for immediate retirement and not need to apply for deferred retirement.
CSRS covered workers had to be working continuously for the Federal government prior to 1982.
That means they would have at least 34 years of service under their belt and unless they started right out of high school they should be eligible for immediate retirement at age 55. Those few who were still teenagers when they started only have to work for 1-2 years before they hit their CSRS MRA (55).
*Note that FERS became effective 1/1/1987, but CSRS covered employees with less than 5 years of civil service were automatically and involuntarily converted to FERS, so those still covered by CSRS had to be working permanently in the Federal Civil Service prior January 1, 1982.
They may not be a current Fed. They could have put in some years under CSRS (at least 5) and then left the Federal Government. They would be able to apply for Deferred Retirement at 60 (if they had 20 years in) or 62 (with at least 5 years).
Yes you are right. This person is likely a previously employed CSRS career employee who left some years ago and is now at or near social security age.
It would be hard to believe a continuously employed CSRS federal employee in this day and age would not know where they stand retirement wise. Considering they have had to be working for Fed Gov at least the last 35 years straight.