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An official website of the United States Government.

Retirement FAQs Post-Retirement

Benefit Adjustments

  • How do I report a missing annuity payment? View more
    Please report it here: https://apps.opm.gov/retire/payment/missing_pay.cfm.  If you are unable to use the website, you can report it by contacting OPM’s Retirement Office at 1-888-767-6738 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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  • 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.)  
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  • How is the amount of each Cost-of-Living Adjustment determined? View more
    The U.S. Department of Labor calculates the change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for urban wage earners and clerical workers from the third quarter average of the previous year to the third quarter average for the current year. For Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or Organization and Disability Retirement System (ORDS) benefits, the increase percentage is applied to your monthly benefit amount before any deductions, and is rounded down to the next whole dollar. For Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) or FERS Special benefits, if the increase in the CPI is 2 percent or less, the Cost-of-Living Adjustment is equal to the CPI increase. If the CPI increase is more than 2 percent but no more than 3 percent, the Cost-of-Living Adjustment is 2 percent. If the CPI increase is more than 3 percent, the adjustment is 1 percent less than the CPI increase. The new amount is rounded down to the next whole dollar.
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  • What is the Go Direct® campaign? View more
    The Go Direct campaign launched in 2005 as part of the U.S. Department of the Treasury's and the Federal Reserve Banks' effort to increase the use of electronic payments for federal benefits and to reduce the use of paper checks for federal benefit payments. With the help of organization partners, media and events, the campaign educates Americans by providing the tools and resources they need to enroll in, or transition to, electronic federal benefit payments.   (Visit www.GoDirect.org for more information about fees and the surcharge-free network.)
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  • How much does a benefit recipient have to pay for the Direct Express® card? View more
    Most services are free. There is no cost to sign up for the card and there are no monthly fees or overdraft fees. While there are fees for a limited number of optional transactions, it is possible to use the card for free.   Free services include:
    • Purchases at retail locations. 
    • Cash back with purchases.
    • Optional notification by phone, email or text message of deposits.
    • Optional low balance alert when account balance falls below a certain level.
    • Access to the website 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
    • Unlimited balance inquiries at ATMs, by phone or online.
    • Access to the toll-free customer service number 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
    • Cash withdrawals through bank or credit union tellers.
    • One free replacement card per year.
    • One free ATM cash withdrawal for each deposit posted to the card account each month, provided that one of the approximately 50,000 surcharge-free network ATMs is used.
      Optional services available for a fee include
    • More than one ATM withdrawal per deposit ($0.90 per withdrawal).
    • ATM owner fees called "surcharge fees" may apply if one of the approximately 50,000 surcharge-free network ATMs is not used.
    • Mailing a monthly paper statement ($0.75 per month).
    • Transfer of money from the card account to a personal United States bank account ($1.50).
    • Card replacement after one free replacement card per year ($4.00 per card). If you request expedited delivery, there is an additional charge of $13.50. There is no additional charge for standard delivery.
    • Purchases at merchant locations or ATM cash withdrawals outside of the United States.
    Visit www.GoDirect.org for more information on fees and the surcharge-free network.
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  • What happens if people do not sign up for an electronic payment option? View more
    People who do not choose an electronic payment option at the time they apply for federal benefits or by March 1, 2013, will receive their payments via the Direct Express® card so they will not experience any interruption in payment.   (Visit www.GoDirect.org for more information about fees and the surcharge-free network.)  
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  • Is there an option for federal benefit check recipients who don't have a bank account or prefer a prepaid debit card? View more
    Yes. The Direct Express® card is a safe, no- or low-cost electronic alternative. No bank or credit union account or credit check is required to enroll. Cardholders can make purchases, pay bills and get cash. This also is an option for those who prefer a prepaid debit card recommended by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Many card services are free, including:  
    • Purchases at retail locations
    • Cash back at retailers at the point of sale
    • Optional notification by phone, email or text message of deposits
    • Optional low-balance alert when account balance falls below a certain level
    • Balance inquiries at ATMs, by phone or online
    • Access to the toll-free customer service number or website 24 hours a day, seven days a week
    • One (1) ATM cash withdrawal in the United States for each deposit posted to the account. ATM owner surcharges may apply at ATMs outside the Direct Express® card surcharge free network.
      (Visit www.GoDirect.org for information about fees and the surcharge-free network.)
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  • My annuity payment or supplement was stopped in error. How can I get it resumed? View more
    Contact OPM’s Retirement Office at 1-888-767-6738 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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  • The recipient is already receiving federal benefit payments electronically to a prepaid debit card or bank account of his/her choice. With the new rule, what will happen to their payments? View more
    If the recipient is already receiving his/her federal benefit payments electronically, this change will not affect them.   (Visit www.GoDirect.org for more information about fees and the surcharge-free network.)  
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  • What are the benefits of the Direct Express® card? View more
    The Direct Express® card provides the advantages of direct deposit without requiring a bank account or credit check and is an option for those who prefer a prepaid debit card recommended by the Treasury Department:  
    • Fast and Easy –Federal benefit payments go straight into the Direct Express® card account on payment day each month. There’s no need to wait for the mail to arrive or to make a special trip to cash a check.
    • Safe – There’s no risk of lost or stolen checks, no need to carry large amounts of cash, and card account balances are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) up to the maximum allowed by law.
    • Convenient – Use the card to make everyday purchases everywhere Debit MasterCard® is accepted. Make purchases, pay bills, buy money orders and get cash at thousands of locations nationwide. Use the card 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
      (Visit www.GoDirect.org for more information about fees and the surcharge-free network.)  
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  • How does the Go Direct campaign participate in or support financial literacy efforts? View more
    The Go Direct campaign has been involved with many of the most significant financial literacy efforts currently in force across the country, including:
    • The Bank On Program
    • FDIC Alliance for Economic Inclusion
    • FDIC Money Smart Curriculum
    • Money Smart Week
      In addition, during the campaign’s long tenure it has developed relationships with local financial literacy coalition leaders, positioning the Go Direct campaign as a dependable community financial education resource in communities around the country.   (Visit www.GoDirect.org for more information about fees and the surcharge-free network.)  
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  • Why did the federal tax on my annuity change? View more
    Generally, your taxes change due to a change in the tax tables.  Tax tables are set into law by the United States Congress and administered by the IRS. Each year, the new tables are posted on the IRS website in IRS Publication 15 and Notice 1036.  OPM is required by law to update your Federal income tax withholding based on the new monthly periodic tax tables and formulas. OPM withholds the required federal taxes according to your marital status and exemptions (dependents) elected. You can change your tax withholding amount at any time. It is a good idea to check the amount of your Federal and State tax withholding each year.  
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  • Would a Joint Committee sequester stop my FERS or CSRS retirement annuity check? View more
    No, the Joint Committee sequestration will not stop delivery of FERS and CSRS annuity checks.  These monthly retirement benefits checks will continue to be issued. 
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Total Count: 28, Number of Pages: 2, Page: 2

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