What Is the FERS Retirement Supplement?

The FERS Retirement Supplement is a key benefit for federal employees retiring under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) before they reach age 62. It acts as a “bridge” payment, replacing the portion of Social Security benefits you earned during federal service until you become eligible to claim Social Security at 62.

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Unlike your basic FERS annuity, which continues for life, the supplement stops at age 62, regardless of whether you file for Social Security at that time.

This benefit matters because the FERS system was designed as a three-part retirement package:

1. FERS basic pension
   
   
2. Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)
   
   
3. Social Security
   
   

Your FERS pension is smaller than pensions under the older Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) because FERS assumes you will also receive Social Security later. Without the supplement, you would face a significant income gap between your federal retirement date and when you first qualify for Social Security at age 62. But you should know that will FERS supplement be eliminated.

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Who Is Eligible to Receive the FERS Supplement?

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To qualify, you must retire on an immediate, unreduced annuity under one of these categories:

• Reached your Minimum Retirement Age (MRA) with 30 years of creditable service, or
  
  
• Retired at age 60 or 61 with at least 20 years of service.
  

You must meet these requirements under regular FERS rules not deferred or postponed retirements.

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Don’t Miss Out on the Full Value of Your FERS Retirement Supplement

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The FERS Supplement is one of the most misunderstood and underutilized benefits available to federal employees retiring before 62. Small changes in your retirement timing, income levels, or service years can significantly affect your monthly supplement and long-term financial security.

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Special Provisions Employees

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Certain federal positions have enhanced retirement rules and often qualify earlier. These include:

• Law enforcement officers
  
  
• Firefighters
  
  
• Air traffic controllers
  
  
• Customs and Border Protection officers
  
  
• Nuclear materials couriers
  
  
• Special agents of the Diplomatic Security Service
  
  
• Certain National Guard technicians
  
  

For these roles:

• You may retire at age 50 with 20 years of covered service, or
  
  
• At any age with 25 years of covered service.
  

The supplement is usually payable immediately upon retirement and continues until age 62.

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Also read - will fers supplement be eliminated

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Are Surviving Spouses Eligible?

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Yes, a spousal annuity supplement exists. A surviving spouse of a FERS retiree may receive this benefit if:

• They are entitled to a current spouse survivor annuity.
  
  
• They are under age 60.
  
  
• They will be entitled to Social Security survivor benefits at age 60.
  
  
• They are not already receiving Social Security mother, father, or disability benefits based on the deceased’s record.
  

The spousal annuity supplement ends at the beginning of the month in which the spouse turns 60.

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FERS Annuity Supplement Calculator

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Who Is NOT Eligible for the FERS Supplement?

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You will not receive the supplement if:

• You are already 62 when you retire.
  
  
• You left federal service early and will receive a deferred retirement.
  
  
• You retire under the MRA+10 provision (MRA and 10–29 years of service).
  
  
• You take a disability retirement. You also should know about the FERS contribution limits.
  
  

How Is the FERS Supplement Paid?

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There is no separate application. If you qualify, OPM automatically includes the supplement in your monthly FERS annuity.

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What Is the Earnings Test, and How Does It Work?

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Once you reach your MRA, your FERS supplement is subject to the same earnings test used for Social Security.

• For 2024, the exempt earnings limit is $22,320.
  
  
• For 2025, the limit increases to $23,400.
  
  

If your wages or self-employment income exceed this limit:

• OPM reduces your supplement by $1 for every $2 you earn above the threshold.
  
  
• This reduction applies annually.
  
  

Example 1: Standard Retiree

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Roger retired on August 31, 2023, at age 57 with 32 years of service. He earned $25,000 after retirement in 2024:

• 2024 earnings limit: $21,240
  
• Excess: $3,760
  
• Reduction: $3,760 ÷ 2 = $1,880/year (≈ $157/month reduction)
  

This reduction will start in July 2024 payments.

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Example 2: Law Enforcement Officer

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Josie, a federal law enforcement officer, retires at age 54 in December 2024 with 20 years of service.

• Her MRA is 57, which she reaches in November 2027.
  
  
• Until then, she can earn unlimited income without affecting her supplement.
  
  
• After reaching MRA, the earnings test applies.
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how long does it take to get fers supplement

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Do You Need to Report Your Earnings to OPM?

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Yes. OPM conducts an annual earnings survey for more than 77,000 supplement recipients:

• Surveys are sent in April and must be returned by early June.
  
  
• You must report only wages or self-employment income earned after retirement.

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FAQ's

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1. How much is the FERS Retirement Supplement?

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The FERS Retirement Supplement is designed to replace part of your Social Security benefit until you reach age 62. The amount you receive is roughly equivalent to what you'd get from Social Security at age 62, but only based on your FERS civilian service.

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It is not a dollar-for-dollar match with Social Security. The average supplement amount varies, but many retirees receive several hundred to over $1,000 per month, depending on years of service and income history.

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2. What is the formula for the FERS Retirement Supplement?

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Here’s the simplified formula:

Estimate your Social Security benefit at age 62

×

(Years of FERS service ÷ 40)

FERS Supplement

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Example:

If your estimated Social Security benefit at 62 is $1,600/month, and you have 30 years of FERS service:

$1,600 × (30 ÷ 40) = $1,200/month supplement

Note: This does not include military service unless it’s credited toward FERS.

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3. How long does it take to get the FERS Supplement?

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It typically takes several months to start receiving the FERS supplement after retirement. Here’s why:

You may begin receiving interim payments right after retirement.

The supplement is not included in interim pay it starts only after OPM finalizes your retirement case, which may take 3 to 6 months or more.

You will receive back pay for missed supplement months once your retirement is fully processed.

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4. Can I receive the FERS Supplement and Social Security Disability (SSDI)?

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No, you cannot receive both the FERS Supplement and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) at the same time.

If you are approved for SSDI:

• You are not eligible for the FERS supplement.
• Your SSDI benefit replaces it.

Why? Because the supplement is intended to act as a temporary Social Security bridge only for regular (non-disabled) retirees under age 62.

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