🚨BREAKING NEWS: On October 28, 2025, U.S. District Court Judge Susan Illston (Northern District of California) granted a Preliminary Injunction (PI) in AFGE v. OMB, which continues halting all Federal Reduction-in-Force (RIF) actions initiated or approved by OMB during the current government shutdown. The ruling applies nationwide to any agencies--including CDC/HHS--with at least 1 AFGE Member or BUE that applied the new OMB RIF framework.🚨
Not Immediately Retiring
If you are not retiring immediately, there are steps you can take to protect your Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) pension and avoid losing money.
Think carefully before taking a 4% FERS refund
You may be able to apply to get 4% FERS refund if you have under 5 years of service, however it is critical to understand the consequences.
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If you leave government service and request a refund of your FERS contributions, you forfeit your right to a future FERS annuity based on that service.
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Only request the refund if you’re certain you won’t return to federal service or pursue deferred retirement later.
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⛔ Taking the refund = permanent loss of pension rights unless repaid upon rehire (with interest).
Check for Deferred Retirement Eligibility (see below)
Verify Your Service Record
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Check your Service Computation Date (SCD) for retirement and ensure all your federal time is correctly documented.
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Use tools like the new Fed HR Navigator or ask HR for your complete retirement history.
Click here for our instructions on how to register a new account for Fed HR Navigator so you can access it outside of the CDC network.
Retain copies of personnel records
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Your Official Personnel File (OPF) will move to the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC).
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Keep personal copies of your SF-50s, performance appraisals, pay records and service history to support future retirement claims.
Ensure Your TSP Remains Active
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Even if you leave federal service, your Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) funds stay in your account unless you roll them over or withdraw.
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You can continue managing your TSP at https://www.tsp.gov.
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If you have a TSP loan, you typically have to pay back the outstanding loan balance within 90 days after TSP notifies you of the loan balance.
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If you do not repay it, the unpaid balance will be declared a taxable distribution. This means it will be reported to the IRS as taxable income, and you may owe taxes on it.
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If you are under the age of 59 ½, you may also face a 10% penalty. If you meet the IRS definition of having a disability, you may be able to waive the penalty.
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Types of Retirement
For those of retirement age, there are several retirement options with different eligibilities. To maintain FEHB (health insurance) and FEGLI (life insurance) in retirement, you must generally:
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Retire on an immediate annuity, and
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Be enrolled for the 5 years before retirement (or entire service if less than 5 years).
This section provides an overview of common retirement options. It is not exhaustive, nor does it provide all necessary details. The intention is solely to provide a short explanation of options you may repeatedly hear during RIF discussions.
Retirement Programs
If you are not of retirement age, you may be eligible for programs that help with reemployment in the federal workforce. The most common programs are described below. Each requires substantiation of your eligibility (e.g., via RIF notice, SF-50, performance appraisal).
Vacancies with these programs will be posted on USAJOBS, and will include the following icon as an available hiring path:
Voluntary (regular retirement)
Retire right away with an annuity.
Eligibility
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Aged 62 with at least 5 years of service
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Aged 60 with at least 20 years of service
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Minimum Retirement Age with at least 30 years of service
MRA+10 (Minimum Retirement Age + 10 years)
Retire early but with a reduced annuity unless you postpone receipt.
Eligibility
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Minimum Retirement Age with at least 10 years of service
Discontinued Service Retirement (DSR)
Retire with immediate benefits (including FEHB and FEGLI if you meet eligibility rules), with no annuity reduction.
Eligibility
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You received a RIF notice
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Aged 50 with at least 20 years of service, or
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Any age with at least 25 years of service.
Deferred Retirement
A deferred retirement. Not eligible for immediate annuity, and no FEHB or FEGLI continuation
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Bookmark OPM’s deferred retirement application process for future use.
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Do not take a FERS refund if you want this option later!
Eligibility
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Deferred retirement at age 62 (with 5 years of service).