Important Information and Updates as of 1/28/2026
As of today, January 28th, 99% of DRP retiring employees have had their SF-50s processed and retirement packages submitted to DFAS. The remaining 1% are awaiting retiree signatures or have special circumstances that we are working through with the retiree.
All DRP retirees have been contacted by a Benefits Specialist. If the Specialist received all required documentation/information during the consultation, the application was prepared for the retiree’s signature and submitted to DFAS.
If you are a DRP retiree and have questions, please contact your Benefits Specialist or your servicing HR Office.
- Naval Reactors: jessica.wasko@unnpp.gov
- National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA): NNSAHRBenefits@nnsa.doe.gov
- Power Marketing Administrations: benefits@wapa.gov
- SES & Experts/Consultants: jessica.jennings@hq.doe.gov
- All Other Employees: hrhelpcenter@hq.doe.gov
DRP retirees should also review their MyPay account for LES and tax information.
As soon as you receive your final paperwork, please download it to your personal computer as you will lose access to FedHR Navigator on February 14th, and OPM Online Retirement Application (ORA) shortly thereafter.
- Applications submitted prior to September 24th, were ‘paper' processed. Retirees will receive a copy of all their documentation within FedHR Navigator.
- Applications submitted on or after September 24th were fully processed in OPM's Online Retirement Application (ORA). The retiree can follow the status of their application from DFAS to OPM in ORA.
DRP Participants Retiring on 12/31/2025: As you approach your retirement, the DOE is dedicated to ensuring a smooth and accurate transition. The process involves coordination between your DOE Retirement Specialist, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), and OPM for final annuity processing and payments.
While you have access, you may continue to submit questions and documentation within your existing Retirement Case in FedHR Navigator; please do not open a new case. Your Retirement Specialist will also process any Open Season changes to your health plan for 2026.
Your application will be certified and transmitted to DFAS within 30 days of your retirement date. It is recommended for retirees in December 2025 to have personal funds in place to cover their expenses through at least June 2026 before receiving any payment from OPM. We appreciate your patience as OPM works to finalize your annuity.
Your final DOE paycheck paid out on January 22nd, 2026, for the three days of administrative leave for December 29th, 30th, and 31st. Most of you received your lump sum, unused annual leave payment on this date. The rest of you will be paid your lump sum, unused annual leave payment NLT February 5th, 2026.
For DRP retirees, it is essential to update any change of address via myPay after retirement.
VERA Retirees: If you were covered by FEHB when you opted for the DRP, have been covered continuously since, and you retired on 12/31, the 5-year FEHB requirement is automatically waived by OPM and you will be able to continue FEHB into retirement. For more information on this, please visit OPM’s page on the Voluntary Early Retirement Authority. Your eligibility for FEHB will be discussed in more detail during your telephone consultation with a Benefits Specialist.
Employees with Dental/Vision (FEDVIP): Your FEDVIP election continues into retirement. BENEFEDS will send you direct bills for your premiums while your annuity is being processed. After BENEFEDS receives notice of your retirement from the payroll office, they will work to set up premium deductions from your annuity. You are responsible for making your premium payments until your retirement annuity is finalized. Once your annuity is finalized, BENEFEDS will begin premium deductions from your annuity payments. For more information on this, please visit Retirement | BENEFEDS.
Employees with Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS): Your health care flexible spending account (HCFSA) or limited expense health care flexible spending account (LEX HCFSA) will terminate as of your retirement date. There are no extensions. Any eligible health care expenses incurred before this date will be reimbursed, but those incurred after the separation date are not reimbursable, even if you accelerated your allotments. If you used your entire elected amount before FSAFEDS has deducted it from your pay, you will not be responsible for the remaining allotments. Your dependent care flexible spending account (DCFSA) remaining balance can be used to pay for eligible expenses until your balance is depleted or until the end of the plan year, whichever comes first. For more information on this, please visit Retirement | BENEFEDS.
Employees with Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP): Your FLTCIP coverage will not be impacted. Your coverage will continue as long as you pay your premiums (and have not used all your benefits). BENEFEDS will send direct bills to you to collect your premiums while your annuity is processing. BENEFEDS will work with OPM to transition your deductions to your annuity. You do not need to do anything. This process will happen automatically, but not while you're receiving interim payments. Your premium deductions will resume once your annuity is finalized, assuming your annuity is sufficient to cover your premiums. For more information on this, please visit Retirement | BENEFEDS.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we complete these final steps, and we are here to support you throughout this significant life event.
Retirement Application Timeline and Information
- Once a Retirement Specialist is assigned to process your case, you will be given directions between the use of FedHR Navigator/GRB or OPM’s Online Retirement Application (ORA) system.
- If you have not already signed up for Login.gov, you will need to create an account. Please visit Create an account | Login.gov.
- The personal email address used to create the Login.gov account must be the same as the email address in FedHR Navigator and on the retirement application.
- The Retirement Specialist will contact you directly when it is time to review your service history, elections, and application. You will have an opportunity to ask questions and complete the required forms and provide any missing supporting documentation.
- You may continue to submit questions and documentation in FedHR Navigator while you are waiting for your counseling session with the Retirement Specialist and add requests to your existing Retirement Case. Please do not open a new case.
- Retirement application submissions may be delayed for missing services records, supporting documentation, pending service deposits, or if you fail to respond to requests.
- Once your application is complete and certified, the Retirement Specialist will transmit it to DFAS for Payroll Processing.
- Your final DOE pay will arrive as usual, on the applicable pay date following your retirement. Employees who retire December 31, 2025, will have a reduced final paycheck on January 22, 2026, as only three days of service will be included in the pay period.
- Lump-sum payments for unused annual leave will arrive 6 to 8 weeks after the retirement date.
- The Retirement Specialist will also process any Open Season changes to your health care in the allotted time for 2026.
- Your application will be certified and transmitted to DFAS within 30 days of your retirement date.
- Once Payroll Processing is complete, DFAS will transmit your application to OPM.
- An employee retiring under the DRP, who have a change of address, must change it via myPay https://mypay.dfas.mil/.
OPM Application and Interim Pay Processing:
Upon receipt and validation of your application, if eligible, OPM will initiate monthly interim payments within 30-60 days. Interim pay provides 60-80% of your estimated monthly payout and will include a deduction of federal tax.You will receive a welcome letter and Retirement Claim number (aka CSA#) from OPM Retirement Services. Follow OPM’s instructions to sign up for a Retirement Services Online account.
OPM will finalize your annuity, issue any adjustment payment, and send your first full annuity payment. Due to an unprecedented workload of retirement cases at OPM, final application processing may take 90 days or longer. It is recommended for retirees in December 2025 to have personal funds in place to cover their expenses through at least June 2026.
If you need assistance with FEHB coverage, lump-sum payments, or any other DOE-
related programs, please follow the instructions below.Within 30 days of retirement:
Before the 30 days is up, you can request assistance through FedHR Navigator (add the request to your current Retirement Case), or by contacting the Retirement Specialist assigned to your case directly. Please note, you will lose access to FedHR Navigator after 30 days of retirement.
After 30 days of retirement:
Please contact your servicing Retirement Specialist or contact your servicing HR Office.
Naval Reactors: jessica.wasko@unnpp.gov
National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA): NNSAHRBenefits@nnsa.doe.gov
Power Marketing Administrations: benefits@wapa.gov
SES & Experts/Consultants: jessica.jennings@hq.doe.gov
All Other Employees: hrhelpcenter@hq.doe.gov
Once you have received your CSA#, visit the OPM Retirement Information Office, sign into your Services Online account, or call 888-767-6738 for assistance with annuity payments. After your application is submitted to OPM, income tax withholdings, address, direct deposit changes, etc. must be submitted in Services Online once OPM grants you access.
If you do not receive a welcome letter from OPM’s Retirement Services with your CSA# after 65 days of your retirement date, please contact your servicing HR Office noted above.
- OPM Guide to Federal Retirement Processing (flyer)
- Quick Guide to the Federal Retirement Process (video)
- Getting started with OPM Retirement Services Online
- DFAS myPay | Online Account Management for DFAS Payroll Services
- Voluntary Early Retirement Authority
- Retirement | BENEFEDS
- Create an account | Login.gov
Why does the data in ORA seem inaccurate when I first log in?
As you know, we are working in the Online Retirement Application (ORA), a new retirement processing system. ORA automatically pulls data from multiple sources. While this automation helps us in many ways, the data you may currently see in the system is estimated and not final or verified. It is very common for preliminary data, such as service history, retirement pay, salary details, or leave balances to be incorrect or incomplete. Please do not panic if the data appears inaccurate. Your retirement case will be reviewed by an HR Specialist before it is finalized. You should still submit your application even with this incorrect/incomplete information. You must “Submit your application to HR” to proceed. This will prompt us to review your application.When entering information into ORA, you must ensure all sections have green check marks and then you must “Submit your application to HR” in the
“Finalize” section so we can review. Once we have reviewed your entire application and added documentation, we will send it back to you for verification.After your review, you may “Certify your application” in the “Finalize” section and your application will be on its way. Unless in “Applicant Process or review”, you should not move/touch/change your application unless directed by an HR Specialist. For more help with ORA, please visit the Online Retirement Application (ORA) Help page at https://retire.opm.gov/help, and watch the “Information for Applicants” video.
You will get ORA/OPM notifications via email when your application moves to the next steps, or you need to act. You may use ORA to check the status of your application. After HR, your application will move to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), our payroll office, and they will review your application verifying salary and leave balance. Finally, OPM will verify all data regarding your retirement as the final authority on all things’ retirement. Again, please refer to the OPM Retirement Quick Guide at http://www.opm.gov/retirement-center/apply/quick-guide.
What does HR need to complete my retirement package?
Your retirement and service history is reviewed by a Retirement Specialist. We will not finalize any retirement using incorrect data. If we need additional information or clarification, we will reach out to you directly.We understand this is a big transition, and we are here to help you through it. We understand that retirement is a significant life event, and it is natural to want everything confirmed and settled as early as possible. We sincerely appreciate your patience and cooperation as we navigate a new software system and a surge in retirements.
What happens to my FEHB and FEGLI coverage?
If you are eligible to continue health and/or life insurance coverage into your retirement, the coverage will be active while your case is being processed. The premiums for coverage will not be withheld from your interim annuity payment but will be adjusted once your case is finalized and final annuity adjustments are made.What happens to my Dental and Vision coverage?
Your Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) coverage will continue into your retirement. Once BENEFEDS has been notified of your retirement from your payroll office, they will work with your annuity system to set up premium deductions from your annuity. Premium deductions will begin when your annuity is finalized, assuming your annuity is sufficient to cover the premiums. In most cases, changing from payroll deduction to annuity deduction is automatic. However, there are some cases that can take an extended period for your annuity to be finalized.BENEFEDS cannot deduct FEDVIP premiums from your annuity until the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) processes your retirement (OPM will provide a claim number). While you are receiving interim payments, BENEFEDS will send direct bills to you for payment of your premiums. You must pay any direct bills you receive to keep your coverage active. If you do not pay the direct bills, your coverage may be cancelled. You can find more information here: https://www.benefeds.gov/retirement
When will I receive TSP funds?
Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) will be notified of your retirement approximately 45 days after your retirement SF-50 is processed, which is required to access funds. Additional information can be found here: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/voluntary-early-retirement-authority/
Helpful tips for DRP retirees:
- Only submit one case in FedHR Navigator. Multiple questions can be asked, just keep them contained in one case. Employees who create multiple cases for retirement related actions, only cause a further delay in processing as all cases will need to be consolidated into one case.
- It is recommended for retirees in December 2025 to have personal funds in place to cover their expenses for January 2026 through at least June 2026 before receiving any payment from OPM.
The last DOE pay will be January 22, 2026, for three days of pay and may include the lump sum annual leave payment. Because OPM will be experiencing the largest retirement wave in decades, there may be processing delays. - DRP participants will not receive a FY25 performance rating or a FY25 performance award.
Information for DRP Participants
If Your Address Has Changed
It is critical that employees departing under the DRP have accurate mailing (home) address in the system. This is essential for the timely and correct delivery of benefits information and other vital documents. Failure to update the address as specified below may lead to delays in receiving important resignation or retirement information. Locality pay changes will not be processed.
DRP Resigning Employees: An employee resigning under the DRP that has a change in address must change it via myPay at https://mypay.dfas.mil/ and contact the HR Hotline immediately after updating to inform us of the change. This allows us to make the necessary adjustments to their resignation package that will be mailed to their home address via UPS. The HR Hotline can be reached by phone at (301) 903-2500 option 2, or via email at HRHotline@hc.doe.gov.
DRP Retiring Employees: An employee retiring under the DRP must change their address via myPay, and on their retirement application in FedHR Navigator.
Separating employees will receive a packet via UPS to their mailing address after their separation date, containing information on leave, retirement and TSP, health, life, dental, vision, and flexible spending benefits, as applicable, along with a copy of their final SF-50, and a Certified Summary of Federal Service.
Your Unique Login to FedHR Navigator
Pay and Tax Information
- Create a login with username and password at https://mypay.dfas.mil.
- Make changes to address, direct/deposit, tax withholdings in myPay.
- Please review the FAQs on established TSP accounts, including ongoing contributions and outstanding loans.
- If after you begin administrative leave or leave federal service you wish to change your TSP allocations, you will need to obtain a username and password from TSP.gov.
It is recommended for retirees in December 2025 to have personal funds in place to cover their expenses for January 2026 through at least June 2026 before receiving any payment from OPM.
The last DOE pay will be January 22, 2026, for three days of pay and may include the lump sum annual leave payment. There may be processing delays as OPM will be experiencing the largest retirement wave in decades.
Stay Connected
Take Care of You
DOE employees may access confidential, no-cost services for you or your family. Call Federal Occupational Health (FOH) at 1-800-222-0364 (888-262-7848, hearing-impaired) for support.
- Visit WorkLife4You: Member Login (code USENERGY) for information, resources, presentations and searchable databases.
- Visit FOH4YOU for online access to EAP information and resources, self-help assessments, webinars, podcasts.