FERS Retirement Calculator

Quick Answer

Last updated: 10 November 2026 ·How we calculate this: the OPM FERS basic annuity formula

How This FERS Retirement Calculator Works

Enter your high-3 average salary, your years and months of creditable service, the age when your annuity will start, and whether you are under a special provision. The calculator applies the OPM formula: 1% per year of service, or 1.1% if you are 62 or older with at least 20 years. It applies the MRA+10 reduction if you retire early with fewer than 30 years, and the 1.7% rate for special provision employees.

How to Use the FERS Retirement Calculator

1. Enter your high-3 average salary.
2. Enter your years and extra months of creditable service.
3. Enter the age when your annuity will start.
4. Choose regular FERS or a special provision.
5. Press Calculate to see the yearly and monthly annuity.

FERS Annuity Formulas

• Under 62, or 62+ with fewer than 20 years: 1% × high-3 × years of service
• 62 or older with 20+ years: 1.1% × high-3 × years of service
• Special provision: 1.7% × high-3 × years up to 20, plus 1% × high-3 × years over 20
• MRA+10 reduction: 5% for each year under 62, unless you have 20 years and start at 60 or later
• Service: add all creditable service and drop any part of a month

Key Terms

• FERS: the Federal Employees Retirement System.
• High-3: your highest average basic pay over any 3 consecutive years of service.
• MRA: minimum retirement age, from 55 to 57 depending on birth year.
• Creditable service: federal service that counts toward your annuity.
• Basic annuity: the FERS pension, before the supplement and other benefits.

Worked Example

A federal employee retires at 57 (their MRA) with 15 years of service and a $100,000 high-3.

• Basic annuity = 1% × $100,000 × 15 = $15,000 a year
• Years under 62 = 5, so the MRA+10 reduction is 5 × 5% = 25%
• Reduced annuity = $15,000 × 0.75 = $11,250 a year ($938 a month)
• Postponing the start until 62 would avoid the reduction.

Real-Life Examples

• MRA with 30 years: $95,000 high-3, starting at 60, pays $28,500 a year.
• Age 62 with 25 years: the 1.1% rate on an $80,000 high-3 gives $22,000 a year.
• MRA+10: 15 years at 57 with a $100,000 high-3 gives $11,250 a year after a 25% reduction.
• Law enforcement: 25 years with a $110,000 high-3 gives $42,900 a year under the special provision.

FERS vs CSRS

• FERS: covers most federal employees hired since 1984. A smaller pension (1% to 1.1% a year) plus Social Security and the TSP.
• CSRS: the older system with a larger pension formula and no Social Security from federal work.
• This calculator covers FERS only.

FERS Annuity as a Share of High-3

Your High-3 and Creditable Service

OPM says your high-3 is the highest average basic pay you earned in any 3 consecutive years of service, usually your last three. Basic pay includes increases with retirement deductions, such as shift rates, but not overtime or bonuses. Creditable service includes your federal civilian service and may include military service if you made a deposit; unused sick leave can also add time to the computation.

To retire with an immediate annuity you must meet one of OPM’s age and service rules: 62 with 5 years, 60 with 20, MRA with 30, or MRA with 10 (reduced). Your MRA is between 55 and 57 depending on your birth year.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using the 1.1% rate too early. It needs age 62 and at least 20 years.
• Counting overtime and bonuses. The high-3 uses basic pay only.
• Forgetting the MRA+10 reduction. It cuts 5% a year under 62.
• Ignoring survivor benefits. Electing a survivor annuity reduces your annuity.
• Leaving out Social Security and the TSP. They are the other two parts of FERS retirement.

Frequently Asked Questions

References & Sources