Federal Benefits Resource Guide

Core Federal Benefits Portals

Official OPM

OPM Retirement Center

The main federal retirement hub. Use this for retirement planning, applying for retirement, survivor benefits, annuity services, and retiree account management.

Official OPM

OPM FERS Information

Official overview of the Federal Employees Retirement System. Understand eligibility, computation, creditable service, and survivor benefits.

Official OPM

OPM CSRS Information

Official section for employees and retirees covered by the Civil Service Retirement System. Useful for CSRS and CSRS Offset employees.

Official OPM

OPM Retirement FAQs

A practical Q&A library covering pre-retirement, post-retirement, leaving federal service, and annuity issues.

Official OPM

OPM Forms Library

Locate retirement, insurance, beneficiary, and personnel forms (FERS, CSRS, FEHB, FEGLI).

Official OPM

OPM Services Online

Self-service portal for annuitants to manage direct deposit, tax withholding, and 1099-R forms.

Official Portal

USA.gov

Official general portal for U.S. government information and services. Verify official sites and locate agency contact info.

Retirement Eligibility & Planning

Technical Reference

OPM CSRS/FERS Handbook

The definitive technical reference for federal retirement rules, covering eligibility, military deposits, and annuity computation.

Guide

OPM Retirement Quick Guide

Walks employees through the processing steps after retirement paperwork is submitted, including case tracking and interim payments.

Official OPM

OPM Retirement Processing Times

Track current retirement claim processing timelines and understand how long final adjudication may take.

Tool

Federal Ballpark E$timate

Estimate federal annuity and TSP benefits to see if your current savings support your retirement goals.

Retirement Law & Legal Framework

U.S. Code

Title 5: Insurance and Annuities

Statutory foundation for many federal retirement and insurance benefits (FERS, CSRS, FEHB, FEGLI).

Federal Regulation

5 CFR Part 842 — FERS Basic Annuity

Regulatory framework for FERS eligibility, computation, survivor benefits, and administration.

Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)

Official TSP

TSP.gov Main Portal

Account access, contribution rules, investment options, fund performance, and withdrawal guides.

Tax Guide

TSP Tax Rules Booklet

Official guide explaining withholding rules, taxable distributions, rollovers, and Roth vs. Traditional treatment.

Official TSP

TSP Beneficiary Resources

Understand how TSP beneficiary designations work, how death benefits are processed, and how to update records.

Health Benefits & Medicare

Official OPM

OPM FEHB Program Hub

Information on plan types, eligibility, enrollment, and health savings accounts (HSAs).

Official OPM

OPM — Which Insurance Pays First?

Guidance explaining whether Medicare, FEHB, or PSHB pays first depending on your employment status.

Official USPS

Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB)

Essential resource for USPS employees regarding the new health program starting in 2025.

Social Security

Official SSA

SSA Federal Employees Page

Explains how federal employment affects Social Security, including the latest on WEP and GPO.

Official SSA

Social Security Fairness Act Update

Official page on the repeal/changes to WEP and GPO affecting CSRS and CSRS Offset employees.

Military Service & Buyback

Technical Guide

Military Service Deposits (Handbook Ch. 23)

Essential for veterans determining whether making a deposit can increase FERS or CSRS retirement credit.

Official .mil

DFAS Retired Military Pay

Manage military retired pay, SBP, and tax withholding for veterans in federal service.

Pay, Leave & Work Schedules

Official OPM

OPM Pay and Leave Hub

Federal pay systems, GS locality tables, leave administration, and work schedule rules.

Separation

OPM VERA (Early Retirement)

Explains Voluntary Early Retirement Authority during agency restructuring or downsizing.

Agency Help & Contacts

Official OPM

Directory of Benefits Officers

Find the official benefits contact at your specific federal agency to confirm service records.

Data

OPM Retirement Statistics

Official data on retirement claim volume, processing context, and broader statistics.