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Frequently Asked Questions Retirement

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Post-Retirement

  • What will the Federal income tax withholding changes impact? View more
    The withholding changes affect the February 1, 2011 payment and subsequent annuity payments.
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  • How do I comply with a court-ordered survivor benefit for my former husband or wife? View more
    A divorce, legal separation, or annulment court order may require that an employee or a retiree provide a survivor annuity for a former spouse. We will pay based on the court order after a death-in-service or after the death of an annuitant. If the benefit will be based on a court order, employees and retirees [or their former spouses] need to send us a court-certified copy of the court order. Send this to:
    U. S. Office of Personnel Management Retirement Services Program Court-Order Benefits Branch Post Office Box 17 Washington, DC 20044-0017
      If you are still working for the Federal Government, you should also provide a copy of the court order to your personnel or human resources office. All court orders involving garnishments or allotments of your payments from us must be sent to the address given above.
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  • When and how can I change my health benefits enrollment? View more
    There are many reasons for changing your health benefits enrollment. If you are changing your coverage because of one of the reasons listed below, we can make the change based on your telephone call. When calling you must have your claim number and social security number, as well as the enrollment number and name for your new plan. Changes we can make by phone include:
    • You are changing to self-only coverage from family coverage;
    • You are changing plans because you have moved out of the service area of your Health Maintenance Organization (HMO);
    • You turned 65 and are changing to a lower cost plan option because you are eligible for Medicare;
    • You are changing your enrollment during the annual Health Benefits Open Season, which usually runs from mid-November to early December; or
    • You are changing to family coverage because you marry, or have or adopt a child. (This option is not available to survivors.)
    You should contact us within the period beginning 31 days before up to 60 days after the date of the event. You may change the plan in which you are enrolled or from high to low option coverage during the annual Open Season for electing coverage. If you need assistance with your health benefits enrollment, call 1 (888) 767-6738 , to change your enrollment or if you need to speak with a Customer Service Specialist. Or, see our web pages at http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/index.asp to obtain information about health insurance benefits online. If you are eligible for TRICARE or TRICARE-For-Life benefits, you may suspend your FEHB coverage and premium payments. You are able to reenroll in the FEHB Program during the Open Season, or immediately if you are involuntarily disenrolled from the TRICARE program. Select this link to find answers to frequently asked questions on this topic.
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  • 1099R Taxable amount is listed as 'Unknown'. What does that mean? View more
     If your 1099R Statement Box 2.a for the Taxable Amount is marked as 'Unknown'; this means that OPM did not calculate the tax-free portion of your annuity.   Some of the most common reasons for not calculating the tax-free portion of your annuity: 
    • Your case is a Disability Retirement
    • You retired prior to November 19, 1996
    • You have Voluntary Contributions
    • Apportionment was paid to your former spouse(s)
    • Your case has not been finalized and you are in Interim pay status
    • You have Survivor benefits payable and/or
    • Your case is an Office of Workers Compensation case
    OPM CAN NOT provide tax advice.  Please contact the Internal Revenue Service toll free at 1-800-829-1040 to speak with an agent who will provide free tax advice. 
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  • How do I get my annuitant payments sent to a different bank or different bank account? View more
    You can use Retirement Services Online.  You will need your claim number and Personal Identification Number (PIN) to use the self-service website. You will be asked whether your account is a savings or checking account and to provide your account number and the routing number for your financial institution (found next to your account number on the bottom of your check). You should contact your financial institution for assistance in getting the routing number if you are not sure. When you make a change, we will mail you confirmation of the change. You can also call us or write us to sign up for direct deposit or change your account or bank. If you write, your letter should include your claim number. You can also use this form to sign up for direct deposit. Or, you can submit a Standard Form 1199A, "Direct Deposit Sign Up Form," which is available at your bank.   When you change the account you use for direct deposit, keep the old account open until a payment is posted to the new account. This will prevent having the payment returned if there is a problem with the new account. If you forgot your PIN, you can request a new one by mail here: https://www.servicesonline.opm.gov/RequestPassword.aspx.  Alternatively, you can call the Retirement Operations Center at 1-888-767-6738 and request a new PIN.  The phone lines are open from 7:30 am to 7:45 pm (Eastern Standard Time). It is a busy phone number so we encourage you to call early in the morning or after 5:00 pm when the phone lines are less busy.
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  • Who is responsible for the changes to the Federal income tax withholding tables? View more
    The IRS is responsible for the changes to the Federal income tax withholding tables. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has no control over the Federal income tax withholding tables. OPM used the tables provided by the IRS, which are set in law by the United States Congress.
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  • I am receiving Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) offset benefits. What will happen to my benefit when I become eligible for Social Security? View more
    If at age 62 you are eligible for Social Security, we will recompute your retirement benefit to "offset" any part of your Social Security benefit that is based on your years of Federal service under the offset plan.
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  • I applied to buy back my military leave, but my annuity hasn’t changed. Where can I find the status of my application? View more
    If you are a federal retiree, contact OPM’s Retirement Office at 1-888-767-6738 or retire@opm.gov to check the status of your request.  The phone lines are open from 7:30 am to 7:45 pm (Eastern Standard Time). It is a busy phone number so we encourage you to call early in the morning or after 5:00 pm when the phone lines are less busy.
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  • How can I get a password for Services Online? View more
    Services Online is our online tool for annuitants.  You will need your CSA or CSF number and a password.  If you misplaced or forgot your password, there are three ways you can request a new one.    Remember to include your CSA/CSF number, your SSN and your name and date of birth on all correspondence with us. 
    • Online:  Go to https://www.servicesonline.opm.gov and request a password by email or by mail.   Scroll down the page and select the forgot password link (located in the gray sign on box).  Follow the directions on the Online Password Request page.
     If you select to receive your password by email, you’ll receive your temporary password to the email address we have on file for you within 2 days.      REMEMBER:  To request a password by email, you MUST have already established your security questions on Services Online.  If you select to receive your password by postal mail, you’ll receive your temporary password within 5 to 7 days by postal mail to the mailing address we have on file for you. 
    • By email:  Request a new password by sending an email to retire@opm.gov.  Please be sure to include your name, claim number and mailing address.  Your temporary password will be mailed to your address on file.  You will receive your temporary password by postal mail within 5 to 7 days. 
    •  By telephone:  Request a new password by calling us at 1 (888) 767-6738 between the hours of 7:15 am to 7:45 pm EST.  We will need your name, claim number and mailing address
    • By mail:  Request a new password by sending us a letter at Office of Personnel Management, PO Box 45, Boyers, PA 16017.  Be sure and tell us you want a new password.  Include your CSA or CSF number, your full name and your mailing address.  You temporary password will be mailed to your address on file.  You will receive your temporary password within 5 to 7 days.
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  • Has my retirement form/application been received and processed? What’s the status of my application? View more
    When we receive your retirement application, we will notify you and will provide a civil service claim identification number (a seven-digit number preceded by "CSA"). You must use that identification number whenever you contact OPM about your annuity. To check the status of your form or application, you may contact the Retirement Office at (888) 767-6738 or retire@opm.gov.  The phone lines are open from 7:30 am to 7:45 pm (Eastern Standard Time). It is a busy phone number so we encourage you to call early in the morning or after 5:00 pm when the phone lines are less busy.
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