Retirement Plans

Your appointment type determines your eligibility for retirement coverage similar to the eligibility requirements for enrollment in the insurance programs.  If your appointment confers eligibility you will automatically be enroll in the applicable retirement plan which is determined by your date of hire.  Your servicing HR office is responsible for determining the applicable retirement plan for you.

There are various retirement plans and types the most common plans are:Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS)

Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS Offset)
Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS)
Federal Employee Retirement System Revised Annuity Employees (FERS RAE)
Federal Employee Retirement System Further Revised Annuity Employees (FERS FRAE)

For additional information visit CSRS. 

All of the FERS retirement plans (FERS, FERS RAE, FERS FRAE) are three-tiered which are:

Social Security Benefits:  You pay a percentage of Social Security wage taxes designated determined by Social Security each calendar year (CY)

Basic Benefit Plan:  You pay the designated amount based on your retirement plan

Thrift Savings Plan: Allows you to make tax-deferred contributions by choosing one of the many investment options or choose a Roth option which is after tax.  The Internal Revenue Code determines the elective deferral limit that employees can contribute in a calendar year

Employees covered under FERS will receive the Agency Automatic (1%) and matching Contributions (of your own TSP contributions).  The Agency Automatic (1%) Contributions equal to 1% of your basic pay.


For additional information visit: TSPFERS, Social Security

Planning Resources