Click here to skip navigation
This website uses features which update page content based on user actions. If you are using assistive technology to view web content, please ensure your settings allow for the page content to update after initial load (this is sometimes called "forms mode"). Additionally, if you are using assistive technology and would like to be notified of items via alert boxes, please follow this link to enable alert boxes for your session profile.
Change Search Collection
Select a Search Collection:
An official website of the United States Government.

Retirement FAQs Post-Retirement

New Retirees

  • How much of my retirement benefit is taxable? View more
    Use our calculator to figure the tax-free portion of your annuity payment. Use our calculator to figure the amount of your monthly federal income tax withholding. Then, use Services Online to change the federal tax withheld from your annuity payment.
    How well did this answer your question? Submit
    Submitting rating...
    Thank you for your feedback!
    [x] Close
    An error occurred while trying to submit your feedback.
    Please try again later.
    [x] Close
  • What is withheld from my interim pay? View more
    We only withhold Federal income tax. You may find that the Federal income taxes withheld from your first interim payment will be higher than the Federal tax withholdings from your subsequent interim payments and regular annuity. We will make any necessary tax withholding adjustment when we finish processing your application. Your health and life insurance coverage will continue while you are receiving interim pay. We will begin withholding health and life insurance premiums retroactive to the commencing date of your annuity, when we finish processing your application.
    How well did this answer your question? Submit
    Submitting rating...
    Thank you for your feedback!
    [x] Close
    An error occurred while trying to submit your feedback.
    Please try again later.
    [x] Close
  • 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.
    How well did this answer your question? Submit
    Submitting rating...
    Thank you for your feedback!
    [x] Close
    An error occurred while trying to submit your feedback.
    Please try again later.
    [x] Close
  • 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.
    How well did this answer your question? Submit
    Submitting rating...
    Thank you for your feedback!
    [x] Close
    An error occurred while trying to submit your feedback.
    Please try again later.
    [x] Close
  • What information will I get about my benefits when the Office of Personnel Management finishes processing my application? View more
    We will send you a personalized statement titled "Your Federal Retirement Benefits". It details, among other things, how much your monthly payment will be. It also confirms such things as health and life insurance coverage, and provides information you will need to prepare your tax returns.
    How well did this answer your question? Submit
    Submitting rating...
    Thank you for your feedback!
    [x] Close
    An error occurred while trying to submit your feedback.
    Please try again later.
    [x] Close
  • I previously made retirement redeposit payments. Where can I get a statement of how much I paid and how much I still owe? View more
    Send your request by e-mail to screceipts@opm.gov and a response will be returned by e-mail.  Be sure to include your name, date of birth and CSD Claim Number.
    How well did this answer your question? Submit
    Submitting rating...
    Thank you for your feedback!
    [x] Close
    An error occurred while trying to submit your feedback.
    Please try again later.
    [x] Close
  • Can I change my life insurance coverage? View more
    You can cancel or decrease your coverage at any time. You cannot increase your coverage.
    How well did this answer your question? Submit
    Submitting rating...
    Thank you for your feedback!
    [x] Close
    An error occurred while trying to submit your feedback.
    Please try again later.
    [x] Close
  • Will I be able to pay to get credit for Federal civilian service if I made no contributions? View more
    Under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), you will be given the opportunity to pay for temporary service prior to January 1, 1989. Under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), if you had service on/after October 1, 1982, for which no contributions were made, we will give you the opportunity to pay the contributions, and will tell you what difference it makes to your monthly benefit. If you had unpaid service prior to October 1, 1982, we do not notify you before we finish processing your application because it generally is not to your advantage to make the payment.
    How well did this answer your question? Submit
    Submitting rating...
    Thank you for your feedback!
    [x] Close
    An error occurred while trying to submit your feedback.
    Please try again later.
    [x] Close
  • I retired in the last year. Will I get a cost of living increase? View more
    Yes, but you will receive only a portion of the first increase payable. We will prorate the first increase based on how long you were retired before it is given. At that time, we will send you a notice explaining the increase. Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) cost of living increases are not provided until age 62, except for disability and survivor benefits. Read about this year's cost-of-living adjustment for those who receive benefits under the Civil Service Retirement System and the Federal Employees Retirement System.
    How well did this answer your question? Submit
    Submitting rating...
    Thank you for your feedback!
    [x] Close
    An error occurred while trying to submit your feedback.
    Please try again later.
    [x] Close
  • Can I change my health insurance coverage? View more
    Yes. After you retire, you will still have the opportunity to change your enrollment from one plan to another during an annual open season. You cannot change to another plan simply because you retired.
    How well did this answer your question? Submit
    Submitting rating...
    Thank you for your feedback!
    [x] Close
    An error occurred while trying to submit your feedback.
    Please try again later.
    [x] Close
  • I’m in interim pay. What can I do on Services Online? View more
    Services Online is our online tool for annuitants.  You will need your CSA or CSF number and a password.  If this is your first time using Services Online, you will need to setup your personal security questions.  Using Services Online, you can:
    • View and print your annuity statement
    • Start or change direct deposit and/or change financial institutions
    • Start or change Federal Income Tax withholding
    • Update your mailing address
    • Update your email address
    How well did this answer your question? Submit
    Submitting rating...
    Thank you for your feedback!
    [x] Close
    An error occurred while trying to submit your feedback.
    Please try again later.
    [x] Close
  • How does the Direct Express® card work? View more
    When a benefit recipient signs up to receive Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, VA  or other federal benefits via the Direct Express® card, their payment will be automatically deposited to their Direct Express® card account on payment date. The card can be used to make purchases at stores that accept Debit MasterCard®, pay bills, purchase money orders for the U.S. Post Office, and get cash from an ATM or financial institution that displays the MasterCard® acceptance mark.   For instance, if the recipient’s benefit payment is $500 monthly:
    • On payment date, $500 is deposited directly to the card. There is nothing for the recipient to do. There are no fees for depositing the full amount to the card.
    • On that same day, if the recipient spends $100 at the grocery store using the Direct Express® card, $100 is automatically deducted from their balance. They now have $400 left on the card. There is no fee charged for using the card to make purchases. Throughout the month, as purchases are made, each purchase amount is deducted from the card account’s current balance (in this instance, $400).
    • If the card balance gets down to $0, the card will be denied for all future purchases until it is reloaded with next month’s benefit payment.
    • If the recipient only spends $250 in this month, the remaining $250 will be added to the next month’s $500 benefit payment. The recipient now has $750 on the card the next month.
      (Visit www.GoDirect.org for more information about fees and the surcharge-free network.)
    How well did this answer your question? Submit
    Submitting rating...
    Thank you for your feedback!
    [x] Close
    An error occurred while trying to submit your feedback.
    Please try again later.
    [x] Close
  • How do people sign up for or switch to electronic payments of their federal benefits? View more
    People who will be applying for benefits on or after May 1, 2011, should be ready to sign up for direct deposit when they apply for federal benefits and understand what information they should have on-hand to sign up. This will ensure they get their benefit payments in the safest, most reliable way possible.  
    • To get benefit payments by direct deposit into an existing financial institution account, people should be prepared with the following information for a smooth enrollment:
      • Account type: checking or savings
      • Account number
      • Financial institution’s routing number
     
    • To sign up for the Direct Express® card, people should notify their federal benefit agency at the time they apply for benefits. Once approved for federal benefits, they will receive their Direct Express® card and an information packet in the mail.
    People who currently receive federal benefits by paper check, should make the switch today to get their money a safer, more reliable way immediately.   If the benefit recipient has a bank or credit union account, he/she should sign up for direct deposit at www.GoDirect.org, by calling (800) 333-1795, or by visiting their local bank/credit union branch or federal benefit agency office.   Those who prefer a prepaid debit card can sign up for the Direct Express® card by calling toll-free (800) 333-1795, signing up online at www.GoDirect.org, or by contacting their local federal benefit agency office. No bank account or credit check is required to sign up for the card.   (Visit www.GoDirect.org for more information about fees and the surcharge-free network.)  
    How well did this answer your question? Submit
    Submitting rating...
    Thank you for your feedback!
    [x] Close
    An error occurred while trying to submit your feedback.
    Please try again later.
    [x] Close
  • What are electronic payments? What is direct deposit? View more
    Electronic payments, which allow for the exchange of funds through paperless methods, are safer, easier and more reliable than paper checks. Direct deposit is the electronic transfer of a payment from a company or organization into an individual's checking or savings account. When a recipient gets their federal benefit payment electronically, the U.S. Department of the Treasury sends an electronic message to their bank or credit union account or to their Direct Express® card account crediting their account with the exact amount of their benefit. The difference is, a check isn’t printed or mailed. The government and businesses use direct deposit to transfer millions of dollars every day.   (Visit www.GoDirect.org for more information about fees and the surcharge-free network.)
    How well did this answer your question? Submit
    Submitting rating...
    Thank you for your feedback!
    [x] Close
    An error occurred while trying to submit your feedback.
    Please try again later.
    [x] Close
  • How is the Treasury Department spreading the word about the move to all-electronic benefit payments? View more
    The Treasury Department is fully committed to helping Americans be prepared for and make the transition to the electronic payment of federal benefits. The Treasury Department has launched the Go Direct public education campaign to communicate with Americans about the new electronic payments requirement. The campaign will do so with the help of nearly 1,800 national, local and regional partner organizations, as well as through events, media coverage, print materials and the Internet. Campaign materials and websites in English and Spanish also are available at www.GoDirect.org and www.DirectoASuCuenta.org.   (Visit www.GoDirect.org for more information about fees and the surcharge-free network.)  
    How well did this answer your question? Submit
    Submitting rating...
    Thank you for your feedback!
    [x] Close
    An error occurred while trying to submit your feedback.
    Please try again later.
    [x] Close


Total Count: 23, Number of Pages: 2, Page: 1

Related Categories