Questions and answers
Short, plain answers to the questions people ask most about retiring from a public job. Tap a question to open it. Each answer links to the full guide, where you'll find the official sources.
Most asked
How far ahead should I start planning to retire?
About three years out gives time to fix records, buy back service and compare dates. Even a few months ahead is enough to apply on time.
Can I get Social Security and a public pension at the same time?
Yes. Since the Social Security Fairness Act, a government pension doesn't reduce your Social Security or a spousal or survivor benefit.
Can I change my mind after I start Social Security?
The start age generally sets your benefit for life, so treat it as a lasting choice. Social Security can tell you about any options for withdrawing an application in your own situation.
What if I retire before 65?
You'll need health coverage until Medicare. Federal retirees can usually keep FEHB, and PERS retirees can buy a PERS retiree plan. Compare your choices.
Do I have to sign up for Medicare at 65 if I'm retired?
Not by law, but if you have retiree coverage instead of coverage from a current job, delaying Part B usually brings a lifetime penalty and may leave your retiree plan unwilling to pay.
Does my spouse automatically get my pension if I die?
No. In most public plans your spouse gets a monthly pension only if you chose a survivor option at retirement. With single life, payments stop at your death, though some plans refund any unpaid contributions.
How do I get an official pension estimate?
PERS members can use Online Member Services or ask PERS in writing. Federal employees ask their agency's benefits or HR office.
Do I need a financial adviser?
Not to get your official numbers: your retirement system and Social Security provide them for free. Some people also pay an adviser for help with savings and taxes.
Start here
Can I retire before I start Social Security?
Yes. Your pension and Social Security are separate. Many public employees retire first and start Social Security later.
Is there a quick way to see if I can afford to retire?
Our Can I retire? tool gives a quick answer with Social Security at 62, 67 and 70. The planner goes into more detail.
What is the Social Security COLA for 2027?
3.6%, starting with benefits paid in January 2027. SSI payments rise starting December 31, 2026.
What is the FERS COLA for 2027?
Applying OPM's formula to the 3.6% CPI-W increase gives 2.6% for FERS and 3.6% for CSRS. Regular FERS retirees must be 62 to get it.
What is the Social Security earnings limit for 2027?
$25,560 a year if you are under full retirement age all year, and $67,920 in the year you reach full retirement age.
What is the 2027 TSP contribution limit?
Not announced yet. The IRS usually publishes it in the fall. The 2026 limit is $24,500, plus $8,000 catch-up at 50 and older.
What is the 2027 Medicare Part B premium?
Not announced yet. CMS usually announces it in November. The 2026 standard premium is $202.90 a month.
What is the maximum Social Security benefit in 2027?
$4,188 a month for someone retiring at full retirement age in 2027. Waiting until 70 can pay more.
Oregon PERS
How is my Oregon PERS pension calculated?
Formula rate × years of service × final average salary. Tier One and Tier Two general service use 1.67%, OPSRP 1.5%. Tier One and Tier Two also get a Money Match calculation, and PERS pays the higher amount.
What is the IAP?
The Individual Account Program is a savings account built from 6% of your pay since 2004. It's paid separately from your pension when you retire.
How much is the PERS cost-of-living raise?
Up to 2% a year. Service after October 1, 2013 gets 1.25% on the first $60,000 of yearly pension and 0.15% above that.
Can I retire from PERS and keep working?
Yes. Most PERS limits on working for PERS employers are lifted through 2034. Early retirees need a six-month break first to work unlimited hours.
Does my PERS pension reduce my Social Security?
No. The Social Security Fairness Act ended those reductions for benefits from January 2024 on.
How long does it take to get my first PERS payment?
PERS says within 92 days of your retirement date, back-dated to that date. The IAP is normally paid within 120 days.
Who do I call at PERS?
Member Services at 888-320-7377, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays.
Can I retire from PERS at 55?
Yes, if you're vested, but unless you have 30 years (Tier One or Tier Two) the pension is cut for life. At 55, Tier One keeps 77.5%, Tier Two 65.7%, and OPSRP general service under 30 years 44.0%.
Can a Tier One or Tier Two member retire before 55 with 30 years?
Yes. PERS lists 30 years of service as a full-benefit point for Tier One and Tier Two general service at any age.
What is the full retirement age for OPSRP?
65 for general service, or 58 with 30 years. For police and fire it's 55, or 53 with 25 years.
Is the early retirement cut permanent?
Yes. The reduced amount is your pension for life. Yearly cost-of-living raises are added to the reduced amount.
Can I take my IAP early and keep working?
Generally no. Since 2011 you retire from your pension and your IAP at the same time.
When will I get my first PERS check?
PERS says within 92 days of your retirement date, with payments back-dated to that date.
How do I know if I'm Tier One, Tier Two or OPSRP?
It depends on when you first started a PERS job: before 1996 is Tier One, 1996 to August 28, 2003 is Tier Two, and August 29, 2003 or later is OPSRP. Your PERS annual statement shows it.
Is Tier One better than Tier Two?
Both use the same 1.67% formula. Tier One has an earlier full-benefit age (58 versus 60), a guaranteed rate on the member account, and for some, Formula Plus Annuity.
Do OPSRP members get Money Match?
No. OPSRP pensions use the formula only. OPSRP members have no member account; their contributions go to the IAP.
What is the Tier One assumed rate?
PERS credits Tier One regular member accounts with its assumed earnings rate, which PERS lists as 6.9%.
Does a lump-sum vacation payout raise my pension?
Only for Tier One. Tier Two and OPSRP final average salaries leave it out.
Is there a cap on the salary PERS counts?
Yes. For 2026 the limit is $245,724 a year, and it rises with inflation.
Can I take my IAP and keep my pension for later?
No. Since 2011, PERS requires you to retire from the IAP and the pension at the same time.
Can I change my IAP installment option later?
You can't switch to a different period or frequency, but you can ask for the remaining balance as a one-time lump sum at any time. That closes the account.
Is the IAP guaranteed?
No. PERS says IAP accounts have no guaranteed rate of return. The balance can go down as well as up, before and after you retire.
Can I roll my IAP into the Oregon Savings Growth Plan?
Yes, if you take a lump sum or 5-year installments. PERS transfers rollovers to OSGP automatically.
How long does PERS take to pay the IAP?
PERS says the IAP is normally paid within 120 days of your retirement date.
Do I pay the 10% penalty if I retire at 57?
The IRS exempts payments from a qualified plan if you leave your job in or after the year you turn 55, but the exemption doesn't carry over to money you roll into an IRA. Confirm your situation with a tax professional.
Who gets my IAP if I die?
The beneficiary you named for the IAP. If none is on file, PERS pays your surviving spouse, then your children in equal shares, then your estate.
What is the default PERS option if I'm married?
For Tier One/Tier Two it's Option 3, and for OPSRP it's Half Survivorship, both with your spouse as beneficiary. Your spouse must consent to anything else.
What happens to my pension if my beneficiary dies first?
Under Options 2 and 3 (or plain Full and Half Survivorship), nothing changes and payments stop at your death. Under 2A, 3A and the Increase options, you can ask to move up to the single life amount.
Can I name my children as survivor beneficiaries?
Yes, a survivor option can name one living person, but if that person isn't your spouse and is more than 10 years younger, the survivor amount may be limited by IRS rules.
Does OPSRP have a Refund Annuity?
No. OPSRP offers the Single Life Option and four survivorship options only.
Can I change my PERS option after I retire?
Tier One/Tier Two members can usually change within 60 days after the first payment. OPSRP members can't change after their effective retirement date.
Does my option choice affect my IAP?
No. The IAP has its own beneficiary designation and payout options.
Does unused sick leave add years of service in Oregon PERS?
No. PERS values half of your allowed hours in dollars and adds that to your final average salary, not to your service credit.
Do OPSRP members get credit for unused sick leave?
No. Unused sick leave isn't part of the OPSRP pension calculation.
How many sick leave hours can count?
Up to 8 hours for each month worked, or your employer's lowest accrual rate if lower, minus hours you used. PERS then uses half of that total.
Does sick leave help if I get a Money Match pension?
No. Money Match is based on your member account, not your salary, so sick leave doesn't change it.
Can I get paid for sick leave and still have it count?
No. Hours paid out in cash are treated as used and aren't reported as unused sick leave.
What if I worked for more than one PERS employer?
Hours transferred from a former PERS employer can count if your new employer accepts them, under its policies or union contract.
Is the PERS 1,039-hour limit still in effect in 2026?
Only for early retirees who return to a PERS employer without a six-month break. Most other retirees have no PERS hour limit through December 31, 2034.
When does the SB 1049 work-after-retirement exemption end?
HB 2296 extended it through December 31, 2034. The standard limits return January 1, 2035 unless the Legislature changes the law.
Do I earn more PERS benefits if I go back to work?
No. Retirees working under these rules don't accrue new benefits, and no IAP contributions are made for them.
Can I work for a private company and keep my full PERS pension?
Yes. PERS doesn't limit hours or earnings for work with a private or non-PERS employer.
What is the OPSRP hour limit for retirees?
600 hours a calendar year. PERS treats 599.99 hours as the most you can work without becoming an active member again.
Does my PERS pension count toward the Social Security earnings limit?
No. Social Security counts only wages and self-employment income, not pensions.
Do Oregon PERS retirees get free health insurance?
No. PHIP is optional and retirees pay the premiums. Eligible Tier One/Tier Two retirees get a subsidy (RHIA or RHIPA) that lowers the cost.
How much is the RHIA subsidy?
$60 a month toward a PHIP Medicare plan, for Tier One/Tier Two retirees with 8 or more years of service who have Medicare Parts A and B.
Do OPSRP retirees get RHIA?
No. OPSRP retirees can join PHIP but aren't eligible for the RHIA or RHIPA subsidies.
How long do I have to sign up for PHIP after retiring?
90 days from your PERS effective retirement date.
Can I join PHIP later if I said no at retirement?
Only at another enrollment opportunity, such as becoming eligible for Medicare, losing 24 months of group coverage, or the open enrollment running October 1 to November 15, 2026.
Can my spouse stay on PHIP after I die?
Surviving spouses and dependents are eligible for PHIP. A surviving spouse can enroll within 90 days of the death or at another enrollment opportunity, and may qualify for a subsidy in some cases.
What is the 457(b) limit for 2026?
$24,500, plus $8,000 if you're 50 or older, or $11,250 instead if you turn 60 to 63 in 2026.
What is the 457(b) limit for 2027?
The IRS hadn't published it as of October 18, 2026. Check the IRS limits page once it's announced.
Can I use the special 457 catch-up and the age 50 catch-up together?
No. You can use only one in a given year, whichever allows the larger contribution.
Is there a penalty for taking money out of OSGP before 59½?
Not on your own 457(b) deferrals. The 10% additional tax applies only to money rolled in from another type of plan or an IRA.
Can I contribute to OSGP and a 403(b) at the same time?
Yes, if you have access to both. The 457(b) limit is separate from the 403(b) limit.
Does OSGP have a Roth option?
Yes. You can choose pre-tax, Roth, or both.
Does Oregon PERS accept a QDRO?
PERS divides benefits under a court order that uses its own award forms as exhibits, under Oregon law. An order written for a private plan without those forms may not be administrable.
Can my ex-spouse get PERS benefits before I retire?
Under a Separate Account or Separate Benefit award, yes, once you reach earliest retirement eligibility. Under a Reduction or Deduction, payments start only when yours do.
Is my IAP divided automatically with my pension?
No. The IAP needs its own award form. If the order doesn't mention the IAP, PERS treats it as no award.
Can I remove my ex-spouse as my survivor beneficiary after I retire?
Only if you chose a pop-up option (2A, 3A or an OPSRP Increase option), or the order allows a beneficiary change and gives your former spouse an award.
Who pays tax on my ex-spouse's share?
With a Reduction, each person is taxed on what they receive. With a Deduction, the member is taxed on the full payment.
What happens if the order doesn't mention PERS?
PERS treats it as No Award with no restrictions.
Washington DRS
How do I know if I'm in Plan 2 or Plan 3?
Log in to your DRS online account or check your annual statement. If you were hired in PERS, TRS or SERS and never made a choice, you were placed in the default plan for that time.
Is a Washington DRS pension taxed?
Generally yes. DRS says pension payments are generally taxable as federal income when you receive them (DRS: TRS Plan 2). Ask a tax professional about your own situation.
What happens to my contributions if I die before retiring?
They go to your beneficiary with interest. If you had at least 10 years in Plan 1 or Plan 2, or were vested in Plan 3, your spouse or partner may be able to take a monthly pension instead (DRS: PERS Plan 2).
Can I combine service from two DRS systems?
Often yes. DRS lets "dual members" count service in one system toward eligibility in another, but each pension is figured from its own system's service and rules. Ask DRS about your case.
Does more than 30 years help in Plan 1?
Not for the basic pension. Plan 1 caps it at 60% of AFC, which you reach at 30 years.
Who gives an official estimate?
DRS. Ask through your online account or call 800-547-6657.
Can I switch from Plan 2 to Plan 3?
No. DRS says your plan choice is permanent.
Is Plan 3 better than Plan 2?
Neither is better for everyone. Plan 2 pays a bigger guaranteed pension; Plan 3 trades half of it for an account that depends on markets and your contribution rate.
Can I change my Plan 3 contribution rate?
Only when you change to a different Plan 3 employer. A move within the same employer doesn't count.
What is the "2008 ERF"?
It is the early retirement factor for Plan 2 and 3 members with 30 years who were hired before May 1, 2013: 20% off at 55, shrinking to none at 62.
Do I have to be vested to keep my Plan 3 account?
No. DRS says vesting does not apply to the investment part of Plan 3. The 10-year (or 5-year) vesting rule is only for the pension part.
Why is my Plan 3 pension half of Plan 2?
Plan 3 uses a 1% multiplier because your own contributions go to the investment account instead of the pension.
What is the earliest age I can retire from PERS 2?
Age 55, if you have at least 20 years of service. The pension is reduced unless you are 65, or 62 with 30 years and hired before May 1, 2013.
Can I retire at 62 with 30 years in Plan 2?
With a full pension, only if you were hired before May 1, 2013. Later hires with 30 years keep 85% at 62.
Do partial years count?
Yes. Service credit is counted by the month, and the 5% ERF is prorated by month. DRS's full factor tables also go month by month.
Does the early retirement cut end at 65?
No. The reduced pension is permanent. It does still get the yearly COLA in Plans 2 and 3.
I'm in Plan 3 with 8 years at 56. Can I retire?
Not on the pension yet: early retirement needs 10 years. If you are vested, you can start the full pension at 65. Your investment account is available after you leave your job.
Who confirms my exact date?
DRS. Call 800-547-6657 or use your online account.
Can I change my survivor option after I retire?
Generally no. DRS says the option becomes final once retirement begins. Exceptions include the pop-up if your survivor dies first and a one-time chance to add a new spouse after marriage.
What happens if I divorce after choosing a survivor?
A court order filed with DRS can affect the survivor benefit. Ask DRS and your attorney before and after a divorce; DRS's rules on property orders are in WAC 415-02-500.
Does my survivor get the COLA?
For Plan 1, DRS says a survivor who receives your benefit keeps the optional COLA if you chose it. For Plans 2 and 3, ask DRS to show the survivor amounts with COLAs in your estimate.
Which option costs the least?
Option 3 (50%) has the smallest cut of the survivor options, and Option 2 (100%) the largest.
Is the Plan 3 investment account covered by these options?
No. The options apply to the Plan 3 pension. The investment account is separate, and DRS can explain how its beneficiary works.
Where can I see the exact factors?
On the DRS administrative factors page, or in your official estimate. Call DRS at 800-547-6657 with questions.
Federal FERS
How is the FERS annuity calculated?
High-3 × years of service × 1%, or 1.1% if you retire at 62 or older with at least 20 years. Special provisions employees get 1.7% for the first 20 years.
From FERS explained
What is the FERS COLA for 2027?
With Social Security's 3.6% raise, the FERS formula gives 2.6% for eligible FERS retirees. Most regular FERS retirees don't get raises until 62.
From FERS explained
Do I get the FERS supplement if I retire at 57 with 30 years?
Yes, if 57 is your MRA. The supplement runs until 62 and can be cut if you earn more than Social Security's limit.
From FERS explained
Can I keep FEHB in retirement?
Yes, if you retire on an immediate annuity and were enrolled for the 5 years before it starts, or since your first chance if that's shorter.
From FERS explained
How much does a survivor annuity cost?
A full one costs 10% of your annuity and pays your spouse 50% of the unreduced amount. A partial one costs 5% and pays 25%.
From FERS explained
How much do FERS employees pay toward the pension?
0.8% of pay if hired before 2013, 3.1% if hired in 2013, and 4.4% if hired in 2014 or later. The annuity formula is the same.
From FERS explained
Does my FERS pension reduce my Social Security?
No. FERS jobs pay Social Security tax, and the old reductions for public pensions have been repealed. Read more.
From FERS explained
What is the earliest I can retire under FERS?
For most employees, your Minimum Retirement Age (55 to 57) with at least 10 years. With fewer than 30 years, that annuity is reduced unless you wait to start it.
Can I retire at 57 with 20 years?
Yes, if 57 is your MRA, under MRA+10. Your annuity is cut 5% for each year under 62, but if you postpone the start to 60, the cut goes away because you have 20 years.
Do I get the FERS supplement under MRA+10?
No. The supplement only goes with unreduced retirements before 62: MRA with 30 years, 60 with 20 years, and special provisions.
Does unused sick leave help me reach 30 years?
No. Sick leave adds to the service used in the annuity formula, but it doesn't count toward the years you need to be eligible.
Is it worth working until 62?
With 20 or more years, retiring at 62 or later raises your multiplier from 1% to 1.1%, a 10% bigger annuity for life. Whether that beats two extra years of payments depends on your health, savings and plans.
Do I lose FEHB if I postpone my MRA+10 annuity?
Your enrollment stops when you leave, but you can get it back when your annuity starts if you had FEHB for the 5 years before you left.
Is the FERS military buyback worth it?
For most people the deposit is small next to the extra annuity it buys, because each year adds 1% of your high-3 every year for life. It can be less clear if you must waive a military pension to get the credit.
Can I pay the military deposit after I retire?
No. Under FERS the military deposit must be paid in full to your agency before you separate. Unpaid post-1956 military service gives no FERS credit.
When does interest start on a FERS military deposit?
For people first hired under FERS on or after January 1, 1987, interest starts two years after your first FERS employment date. After that, a variable rate is charged and compounded each year (4.25% for 2026).
Does buying back military time change my MRA?
No, your MRA depends only on your birth year. The extra years can let you retire unreduced at your MRA with 30 years, or at 60 with 20, instead of taking a reduced MRA+10 annuity.
Do I need to waive military retired pay?
Usually, if you want the same years counted for FERS. Exceptions include combat-related disability retired pay and reserve retired pay under Chapter 1223 of Title 10.
What forms do I need for the military deposit?
Your DD 214, form RI 20-97 to get your military earnings, and SF 3108 (or your agency's version) to apply. Your agency computes the bill on OPM Form 1514.
Does military service count for the FERS supplement?
Paid-up military years can help you reach an MRA+30 or 60+20 retirement, which qualifies you for the supplement. Ask your benefits office whether the military years also change the supplement amount, which is figured from your federal earnings.
Does FERS pay out unused sick leave?
No. There is no cash payment. It is added to your service when OPM computes your annuity, at 100% for retirements on or after January 1, 2014.
How many sick leave hours equal a month of FERS service?
About 174 hours. OPM uses a 2,087-hour year, so 2,087 hours is one full year of credit.
Can sick leave help me reach 30 years for an MRA+30 retirement?
No. Sick leave is not used to establish eligibility to retire. It only increases the annuity once you qualify.
Does sick leave count for a deferred FERS annuity?
The credit applies to people who separate with title to an immediate annuity or die in service, so a deferred annuity generally gets no sick leave credit.
Does sick leave raise my high-3?
No. Your high-3 is based on basic pay actually received. Sick leave only adds to the service years in the formula.
What happens to leftover days?
After sick leave is added to your service, any days that don't make a full month are dropped from the annuity computation.
Can I get a FERS pension if I leave before retirement?
Yes, with at least 5 years of creditable civilian service. The annuity starts later, at 62 with 5 years, 60 with 20, your MRA with 30, or a reduced amount at your MRA with 10.
What is the difference between deferred and postponed FERS retirement?
Both pay a delayed annuity. A postponed MRA+10 annuity, available with 10 or more years, lets you reenroll in FEHB and FEGLI when it starts if you met the five-year rule. A deferred annuity does not.
Do I keep FEHB if I leave federal service before retirement?
Not while you're gone. You can buy up to 18 months of Temporary Continuation of Coverage at full cost plus 2%. You may reenroll when a postponed MRA+10 annuity begins, if you qualify.
Should I take a refund of my FERS contributions?
It depends on your years and plans. A refund returns only your own contributions and ends your annuity rights for that service unless you return and repay it.
Does a deferred FERS annuity get the supplement or COLAs?
It gets no FERS supplement. Like other regular FERS annuities, COLAs don't apply before age 62.
How is part-time service counted for FERS?
It counts fully toward eligibility. The annuity is computed at full-time pay and then multiplied by the share of full-time hours you actually worked.
What is the FERS COLA for 2027?
Social Security announced a 3.6% COLA for January 2027. Under the FERS formula, inflation above 3% is reduced by one point, which gives 2.6%. OPM posts the official figure.
What was the FERS COLA for 2026?
2.0%, paid starting January 2026. CSRS retirees received 2.8%.
Why don't I get a COLA before 62?
The law limits FERS COLAs for regular retirees to those 62 or older on December 1. Special provision, disability and survivor annuities are exceptions.
Does the FERS supplement get a COLA?
No. The retiree annuity supplement is never increased by COLAs.
Why is my first COLA smaller?
The first COLA is usually prorated by the number of months you were retired before December 1. People who retired at least a year before 62 get a full first COLA after they turn 62.
Do survivors get FERS COLAs?
Yes. Spouse, former spouse and insurable interest survivor annuities get COLAs regardless of the survivor's age.
What is the FERS supplement earnings limit for 2027?
$25,560, Social Security's annual exempt amount for 2027. For 2026 it is $24,480. Each $2 earned above the limit reduces the supplement by $1.
Does the FERS supplement stop at 62?
Yes. It ends at the end of the month you turn 62, whether or not you start Social Security.
Does TSP or pension income count against the supplement?
No. Only wages and net self-employment earnings count. Your FERS annuity, TSP withdrawals and investment income don't.
Do I get the supplement with an MRA+10 retirement?
No. MRA+10, deferred and disability retirements don't include the supplement.
Does the FERS supplement get a COLA?
No. It stays at its starting amount until it ends.
Are law enforcement officers exempt from the earnings test?
Special provision retirees are exempt until they reach their MRA. After that, the normal earnings test applies until 62.
How do I report earnings for the FERS supplement?
OPM mails form RI 92-22, the Annuity Supplement Earnings Report, each year once you've reached your MRA. Return it with your prior-year earnings.
What is the five-year rule for FEHB in retirement?
You must be covered continuously for the five years right before you retire, or for all your service since your first chance to enroll, and retire on an immediate annuity.
Do federal retirees pay more for FEHB?
No. Retirees pay the same premium share as active employees for the same plan. It is taken from the annuity.
Do I need Medicare Part B if I have FEHB?
It's optional for FEHB retirees. Medicare pays first once you have it, and many plans waive costs for members with Part A and B, but you pay the Part B premium.
Do postal retirees have to enroll in Medicare Part B?
Postal annuitants who retired after January 1, 2025, generally must enroll in Part B to keep PSHB when Medicare-eligible. Those 64 or older on January 1, 2025, and some others are exempt.
What is the cheapest FEGLI option in retirement?
The 75% reduction. You pay the Basic premium until 65, then coverage is free and shrinks to 25% of its starting amount.
Can I enroll in FEDVIP after I retire?
Yes. FEDVIP has no five-year rule, and annuitants can enroll for the first time after retiring.
Can I get FEHB back if I cancel it in retirement?
Treat canceling as permanent and talk to OPM first. Suspending FEHB to join certain other coverage, such as Medicare Advantage, is a different process from canceling.
Can I leave my money in the TSP after I retire?
Yes, as long as your vested balance is at least $200. You don't have to withdraw anything until required minimum distributions begin.
What is the TSP age 55 rule?
If you leave federal service in or after the year you turn 55, TSP payments aren't hit with the 10% early withdrawal penalty. For public safety employees the age is 50, or any age with 25 years of service.
When do TSP required minimum distributions start?
At 73 if you were born before 1960, and at 75 if you were born in 1960 or later, once you've left federal service. Roth TSP money is not included.
How much tax does the TSP withhold?
20% on partial withdrawals and installments under 10 years, wage-style withholding on longer installments, and a 10% default on RMDs. The TSP doesn't withhold state tax.
Does my spouse have to sign for a TSP withdrawal?
If you're married under FERS and your balance is over $3,500, yes, unless you take the default joint annuity with a 50% survivor benefit.
Can I take money from only my Roth TSP?
Yes. You can choose traditional only, Roth only, or pro rata for withdrawals, and choose which source installments draw from first.
Can I change my TSP installments?
Yes, you can stop or change them at any time. Some changes require stopping the current installments and starting new ones.
Can federal law enforcement retire at 50?
Yes, with 20 years of covered service. With 25 years of covered service, they can retire at any age.
From FERS special retirement for police, firefighters and ATCs
What is the mandatory retirement age for federal law enforcement?
57, or when you complete 20 years if you're older than 57 by then. The agency head can extend it to 60 in the public interest. Air traffic controllers must leave at 56.
From FERS special retirement for police, firefighters and ATCs
How is the FERS special provision annuity calculated?
1.7% of high-3 times years of service up to 20, plus 1% of high-3 for each year over 20.
From FERS special retirement for police, firefighters and ATCs
Do special provision retirees get COLAs before 62?
Yes. Their annuities get FERS COLAs at any age.
From FERS special retirement for police, firefighters and ATCs
Is the FERS supplement subject to the earnings test for law enforcement?
Not until you reach your MRA. From the MRA to 62, the normal earnings test applies.
From FERS special retirement for police, firefighters and ATCs
How much more do special provision employees contribute?
Half a percentage point more than regular employees: 1.3%, 3.6% or 4.9% of pay depending on when you were first covered.
From FERS special retirement for police, firefighters and ATCs
How much does the FERS survivor benefit cost?
The full benefit costs 10% of your annuity and pays your spouse 50% of your unreduced annuity. The partial benefit costs 5% and pays 25%.
Does my spouse lose FEHB if I don't elect a survivor annuity?
Yes. Your spouse can keep FEHB after your death only if a monthly survivor annuity is payable and your enrollment covered your spouse.
Does my spouse have to agree if I choose no survivor benefit?
Yes. Your spouse must sign SF 3107-2 before a notary or authorized official, and the consent can't be taken back.
Can I add a survivor benefit after I retire?
You can increase it within 18 months of your annuity starting. If you marry after retiring, you have 2 years from the marriage to elect one.
What happens if my spouse dies first?
The survivor reduction ends and your full annuity is restored. Notify OPM.
Does a FERS survivor annuity end if my spouse remarries?
Only if they remarry before 55, and not if you were married at least 30 years.
What is the FERS basic employee death benefit?
For an employee who dies in service with 18 months of service, the spouse gets 50% of final salary (or high-3 if higher) plus $43,800.53 for deaths on or after December 1, 2025.
California CalPERS and CalSTRS
What is the earliest I can retire from CalPERS?
Age 50 for classic and safety members, and 52 for PEPRA miscellaneous members, with at least 5 years of service.
From CalPERS explained
Is final compensation 12 months or 36 months?
PEPRA members use at least 36 consecutive months. Classic members use 12 or 36 months depending on membership date and, for public agencies, the employer's contract.
From CalPERS explained
How much is the CalPERS COLA?
Up to 2% a year, compounded, for state First Tier and school members, starting in the second calendar year after retirement. Public agency contracts can allow up to 3%, 4% or 5%, and the raise never exceeds inflation.
From CalPERS explained
Will my CalPERS pension reduce my Social Security?
Not anymore. The Social Security Fairness Act ended WEP and GPO for benefits payable from January 2024. Your Social Security is still based only on work where Social Security tax was paid.
From CalPERS explained
What is the earliest I can retire from CalSTRS?
Age 55 with at least five years of service credit. Members on 2% at 60 with at least 30 years of service can retire at 50.
From CalSTRS explained
Does CalSTRS have a cost-of-living adjustment?
Yes. A simple 2% of your starting benefit is added each September 1 after your first retirement anniversary. Separate SBMA payments protect 85% of your original buying power.
From CalSTRS explained
Will I get Social Security as a California teacher?
Not from teaching, because CalSTRS jobs don't pay Social Security tax. You may get it from other work or as a spouse, and since 2025 WEP and GPO no longer reduce it.
From CalSTRS explained
Does CalSTRS pay for my health insurance?
No. Any retiree health benefits come from your district. CalSTRS only pays Medicare Part A premiums for some members who retired before July 1, 2012.
From CalSTRS explained
What is the CalSTRS longevity bonus?
An extra $200 to $400 a month for members who earned at least 30 years of service credit by December 31, 2010.
From CalSTRS explained
Can I change my option after I retire?
Within 30 days of your first payment, yes. After that, generally only your beneficiary can be changed, and only after events like a death, divorce or marriage.
From CalSTRS explained
Idaho PERSI
What is the Rule of 90 in PERSI?
If you're a general member at least 55 and your age plus years of service equal 90 or more, you can retire with no reduction. Police and firefighters use the Rule of 80 from age 50.
How much is the PERSI early retirement reduction?
3% for each year early for the first five years, then 5.75% for each of the next five, based on the smaller of years to full age or points to the Rule of 90 or 80.
How is PERSI average monthly salary figured?
It is your highest average monthly pay over 42 consecutive months, for members whose last contribution was after October 1, 1994.
Does PERSI give a COLA every year?
A 1% raise is automatic each March when inflation is at least 1%. Anything more, up to 6% total, needs a Board recommendation and passes unless the Legislature acts.
Can I use sick leave to pay health insurance after I retire?
State and school retirees can convert up to half of their unused sick leave into an account that pays certain insurance premiums. Ask your HR office what plans qualify.
Can I change my PERSI option after retiring?
Only within five business days after your first payment, or in a few cases involving marriage after retirement.
Medicare and health care
Can I keep my federal health insurance if I retire at 57?
Yes, if you retire on an immediate annuity and had FEHB for the 5 years before it starts. If you postpone an MRA+10 annuity, coverage pauses until the annuity begins.
Can PERS retirees under 65 get PERS health insurance?
Yes. PHIP has plans for retirees not yet on Medicare from Kaiser Permanente and UnitedHealthcare.
How long does COBRA last?
Usually up to 18 months after you leave your job, and you may pay the full cost plus 2%.
Does COBRA count as job coverage for delaying Medicare?
No. Medicare says COBRA isn't group health coverage from current work, so it doesn't protect you from the Part B penalty.
Can I buy a HealthCare.gov plan when I retire?
Yes. Losing job coverage lets you sign up from 60 days before it ends to 60 days after.
What if my spouse is younger than me?
Your spouse needs their own coverage until they turn 65. Under FEHB or PHIP, they can usually stay on your plan.
Is COBRA enough to delay Medicare?
No. COBRA is not coverage from current employment, and your 8-month special enrollment period starts when you stop working, even if you choose COBRA.
Am I automatically enrolled in Medicare?
Only if you are already getting Social Security (or Railroad Retirement) benefits when you turn 65. Otherwise, you need to apply.
How much is the Part B late penalty?
10% of the standard premium for each full 12 months you were eligible but not enrolled, usually for as long as you have Part B.
Do federal retirees with FEHB need Part B?
It isn't required, but if you skip it at 65 and want it later, you can only join in general enrollment and you pay the late penalty.
What is the Medicare Part B premium for 2027?
It hasn't been announced yet. CMS usually announces it in November. The 2026 standard premium is $202.90 a month.
What income is IRMAA based on?
Modified adjusted gross income, which is adjusted gross income plus tax-exempt interest, from the tax return two years earlier in most cases.
What are the 2026 IRMAA thresholds?
IRMAA starts above $109,000 for single filers and $218,000 for joint filers, based on 2024 income.
Does retiring count as a life-changing event for IRMAA?
Yes. Work stoppage is on Social Security's list, so you can file form SSA-44 to have your lower post-retirement income used.
Will a one-time TSP or IAP lump sum cause IRMAA?
It can, if it pushes your MAGI over a threshold. It affects the premiums two years later, for one year, and a voluntary one-time withdrawal is not a life-changing event.
Is IRMAA permanent?
No. Each year's amount depends on the income Social Security gets from the IRS for that year's lookback, so it can drop off once your income falls.
Do both spouses pay IRMAA?
If both are on Medicare and file jointly above the threshold, each pays the extra amount on their own premium.
Pension decisions
Can I name someone other than my spouse as survivor?
Often yes, but married members usually need the spouse's written consent, and plans may limit the choices when a non-spouse survivor is much younger than you.
What happens to the reduction if my survivor dies first?
It depends on the option. Pop-up options (Oregon PERS 2A and 3A, CalPERS 2 and 3, and DRS joint options) raise your payment back to the single-life amount. Options without a pop-up keep the reduced payment.
Is the FERS survivor benefit worth it?
There is no single answer. The FERS cost (10% for the maximum) does not change with your spouse's age, and it is required for your spouse to keep FEHB health coverage. Those two facts lead many federal retirees to keep at least the partial benefit.
Can I change my option after I retire?
Only in short windows or after specific life events. Oregon PERS allows a change within 60 days after the first payment; FERS has 30-day and 18-month windows; DRS and CalPERS allow changes mainly after marriage or a beneficiary's death.
Can I take my FERS pension as a lump sum?
No, not as a normal retiree. FERS offers a refund of contributions only if you leave before you can retire, which gives up the annuity, and a special alternative annuity for people with a critical medical condition.
Is the Oregon PERS IAP lump sum taxable?
Yes, unless you roll it directly into an IRA or another eligible plan. PERS withholds 20% federal tax on amounts paid to you, plus Oregon tax unless you file a W-4R.
How long do I have to roll over a lump sum?
60 days from the date you receive it. A direct rollover avoids the deadline and the 20% withholding.
Will I owe the 10% penalty if I retire at 56?
Not on payments from your employer plan if you left the job in or after the year you turned 55. The exception does not cover money you first roll into an IRA.
Can I split my IAP between cash and a rollover?
Yes. PERS lets you split a one-time lump sum between a direct payment and a rollover, with at least $500 going to the rollover.
Does Washington Plan 2 have a lump-sum option?
No. Plan 2 pays a monthly pension. Withdrawing your contributions is possible only when you leave covered work, and it forfeits the pension.
Money, taxes and savings
Can Oregon tax my PERS pension if I move to another state?
No. Federal law (4 U.S.C. 114) bars a state from taxing the retirement income of someone who is not a resident. You will need to file a W-4P with PERS to stop Oregon withholding.
Does Oregon tax Social Security?
No. Oregon doesn't tax Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits.
Do I lose the PERS tax remedy if I move out of Oregon?
Yes, if you no longer pay Oregon income tax. Senate Bill 822 (2013) ended the tax remedy for recipients who do not pay Oregon income tax because they live elsewhere.
Does Washington tax pensions?
Washington has no individual income tax today. A new 9.9% tax on income over $1 million is set to start January 1, 2028.
Does Idaho tax my Oregon PERS pension?
Yes, if you live in Idaho. Idaho's retirement benefits deduction covers only a few pension types, and Oregon PERS is not one of them. Idaho does not tax Social Security.
Does Arizona give a break on out-of-state public pensions?
No. Arizona's $2,500 pension subtraction is only for U.S. government and Arizona public pensions. Pensions from other states do not qualify.
How much less will my pension deposit be than the gross amount?
It depends on your tax withholding, state of residence and health premiums. Before Medicare, health premiums alone can take a large share. Ask your system for an estimate with deductions.
Is Social Security tax withheld automatically?
No. You must file Form W-4V and choose 7%, 10%, 12% or 22%.
What does Medicare Part B cost in 2026?
The standard premium is $202.90 a month, with a $283 yearly deductible. People with higher incomes pay more.
Do people spend less in retirement?
Some costs drop, such as commuting and retirement saving, but health care, travel and home costs often rise. Build your budget from your own records rather than a rule of thumb.
How big should my emergency fund be?
There is no official figure. Many planners suggest several months of essential spending, more if your house or cars are older or your income depends on investments.
Will my pension keep up with inflation?
Partly. Most public pensions have a capped COLA (up to 2% for Oregon PERS, up to 3% for DRS Plans 2 and 3), so buying power can slip when inflation runs higher.
Is my whole pension taxable?
Usually most of it is. Only the part that returns after-tax contributions is tax-free. If all your contributions were pre-tax, the whole payment is taxable.
Do I have to figure the Simplified Method myself?
OPM figures it for FERS and CSRS retirees and shows the taxable amount on Form CSA 1099-R. For other plans, check box 2a of your 1099-R; if it is blank, use the worksheet in Publication 575.
What happens if I don't file a W-4P?
Your plan withholds as if you were single with no adjustments. Married retirees often find that this is not the right amount for their situation.
How do federal retirees change tax withholding?
Through OPM's Services Online, or by calling OPM's Retirement Information Office at 1-888-767-6738.
Can retired firefighters exclude health insurance premiums?
Yes. Eligible retired public safety officers can exclude up to $3,000 a year of pension money used for health or long-term care insurance premiums. Since December 30, 2022, the plan no longer has to pay the insurer directly.
Can I have tax withheld from Social Security?
Yes. File Form W-4V to have 7%, 10%, 12% or 22% of each payment withheld.
What is the 457(b) limit for 2026?
$24,500, plus an $8,000 catch-up at 50 or older, or $11,250 at ages 60 to 63 if your plan offers it.
Can I contribute to a 457(b) and a 403(b) in the same year?
Yes. The 457(b) limit is separate, so you can contribute the full amount to each plan.
Can I use the special 457 catch-up and the age 50 catch-up together?
No. In any year you use one or the other, whichever allows more.
Is there a penalty for withdrawing from a 457(b) before 59½?
No 10% additional tax applies to governmental 457(b) withdrawals, except on money rolled in from another type of plan or an IRA. Regular income tax still applies to pre-tax money.
Do I have to make Roth catch-up contributions in 2026?
Only if your prior-year Social Security wages from the plan's employer were more than $150,000. Employees not covered by Social Security are not subject to the rule.
Should I roll my 457(b) into an IRA when I retire?
It depends. An IRA may offer more investment choices, but you lose the 457's penalty-free access before 59½. Compare fees and choices before deciding.
No questions match. Try a shorter word, or ask us.
Estimates and general information, not advice. Rules change. Each guide shows the date we last checked it against the agency's own pages.
Social Security
How many years do I need to work for Social Security?
You need 40 credits, about 10 years of covered work. You can earn up to 4 credits a year.
From Social Security explained
What is the Social Security raise for 2027?
3.6%, starting with January 2027 benefits.
From Social Security explained
Is my Oregon PERS job covered by Social Security?
Most PERS jobs are. Check your pay stub for "Social Security" or "OASDI", or check your earnings record at ssa.gov.
From Social Security explained
Does my pension count against the earnings limit?
No. The earnings test counts wages and self-employment income, not pensions, IAP or TSP withdrawals.
From Social Security explained
Will my Social Security be taxed?
Possibly. If your combined income is over $25,000 (single) or $32,000 (joint), part of your benefit may be taxed.
From Social Security explained
Can my spouse get benefits on my record?
Yes, up to half of your full-retirement-age amount, once you've filed and they're at least 62.
From Social Security explained
Does my government pension lower my Social Security?
No. The Social Security Fairness Act ended the rules that used to cut benefits for people with public pensions. Read what changed.
From When should I start Social Security?
Is it better to take Social Security at 62 and invest it?
That only comes out ahead if your investments beat the guaranteed, inflation-adjusted increase you'd get from waiting, which is 8% a year after full retirement age. Few safe investments do that.
From When should I start Social Security?
What happens if I work part time after starting at 62?
Social Security holds back $1 for every $2 you earn over $25,560 in 2027. Your pension doesn't count as earnings for this test.
From When should I start Social Security?
Do I have to start Social Security to get Medicare?
No. Medicare starts at 65 either way, but if you aren't getting Social Security yet you have to sign up for Medicare yourself.
From When should I start Social Security?
When does my spouse get a survivor benefit?
A widow or widower can start a survivor benefit as early as 60, at a reduced rate, or get 100% of your benefit at their own full retirement age.
From When should I start Social Security?
Does my Oregon PERS or FERS pension reduce my Social Security?
No. Since the Social Security Fairness Act, no government pension reduces Social Security. Most PERS jobs and all FERS jobs paid Social Security tax anyway, so most of these members were never affected.
From Does my government pension lower my Social Security?
Do I need to do anything to get the higher amount?
If you were already getting a reduced benefit and Social Security has your address and bank details, no. If you never applied because of WEP or GPO, you may need to apply.
From Does my government pension lower my Social Security?
Will I get back pay to 2024 if I apply now?
Not usually. The law didn't change the back-pay rule, so retirement and survivor benefits generally go back no more than 6 months before the month you apply.
From Does my government pension lower my Social Security?
Do my years in a job without Social Security now count toward my benefit?
No. Only earnings that paid Social Security tax count. The law removed the extra reduction, not the basic rule.
From Does my government pension lower my Social Security?
Can I get a widow's benefit and my teacher pension at the same time?
Yes. The offset that used to reduce widow and widower benefits is gone, so you can get both if you qualify.
From Does my government pension lower my Social Security?
Could the law be changed back?
Congress can always change Social Security law, but as of October 2026 the repeal is in effect. Check ssa.gov for current rules before you file.
From Does my government pension lower my Social Security?
Can I get a spousal benefit if my spouse hasn't retired?
Not if you are still married. Your spouse must be receiving their own Social Security benefit first. A divorced spouse who has been divorced for at least two years is the exception.
From Social Security spousal benefits
Do I get my own benefit and a spousal benefit added together?
No. Social Security pays your own benefit first and adds only enough to bring the total up to the spousal amount, if that is higher.
From Social Security spousal benefits
Does my spousal benefit go up if I wait until 70?
No. The spousal benefit reaches its maximum, 50% of the worker's PIA, at your full retirement age. Delayed credits don't apply to it.
From Social Security spousal benefits
If my spouse claims early, does my spousal benefit go down?
No. The spousal benefit is based on the worker's PIA, not on what the worker actually receives. Only your own age when you start affects your spousal amount.
From Social Security spousal benefits
Does my ex-spouse's claim on my record lower my benefit or my current spouse's?
No. Benefits paid to a divorced spouse don't reduce your benefit and don't count toward the family maximum.
From Social Security spousal benefits
I have a teacher's pension. Will it reduce my spousal benefit now?
Not for months from January 2024 on. The Social Security Fairness Act repealed the Government Pension Offset, which used to cut spousal benefits by two-thirds of a non-covered pension.
From Social Security spousal benefits
How long do I need to be married to my ex for a divorced-spouse benefit?
At least 10 years before the divorce became final. You also need to be 62 or older and currently unmarried.
From Social Security spousal benefits
How early can a widow get Social Security?
At 60, or at 50 if she has a disability. A widow or widower caring for the late spouse's child under 16 can get benefits at any age.
From Social Security survivor benefits
Can I get my own Social Security and my late spouse's at the same time?
No. You get the higher of the two. But you can take one first and switch to the other later, which can raise your lifetime income.
From Social Security survivor benefits
Does taking a survivor benefit at 60 reduce my own retirement benefit?
No. Each benefit is reduced only for its own early start. Your own retirement benefit can keep growing until 70.
From Social Security survivor benefits
Will I lose survivor benefits if I remarry?
Not if you remarry at 60 or later (50 or later if disabled). Remarrying before that age generally stops survivor benefits on your late spouse's record.
From Social Security survivor benefits
Can a divorced spouse get survivor benefits?
Yes, if the marriage lasted at least 10 years. The rules on age and remarriage are the same as for a widow or widower.
From Social Security survivor benefits
Can I apply for survivor benefits online?
No. Social Security takes survivor applications by phone at 1-800-772-1213 or at a local office.
From Social Security survivor benefits
My pension used to wipe out my survivor benefit. What now?
The Social Security Fairness Act repealed the Government Pension Offset for months from January 2024 on. If you never applied, contact Social Security soon, since back pay for new claims is generally limited to six months.
From Social Security survivor benefits
What is the Social Security earnings limit for 2027?
$25,560 a year if you are under full retirement age all year, and $67,920 in the year you reach full retirement age, counting only months before you reach it.
From Working while on Social Security
Does my pension count toward the earnings limit?
No. Pensions, annuities, investment income, interest and government or military retirement benefits do not count. Only wages and net self-employment income do.
From Working while on Social Security
Do TSP or 457 withdrawals count as earnings?
No. Withdrawals from retirement savings are not earnings from work, so they don't count toward the limit.
From Working while on Social Security
Is withheld money lost forever?
No. At full retirement age, Social Security raises your monthly benefit to credit you for the months it withheld.
From Working while on Social Security
Is there an earnings limit after full retirement age?
No. From the month you reach full retirement age, you can earn any amount without any benefit held back.
From Working while on Social Security
Does a big final paycheck with cashed-out leave count?
Wages count when they are earned, not when they are paid. Leave you built up while working counts toward the year you earned it, so it usually doesn't hurt you after retirement.
From Working while on Social Security
At what income is Social Security not taxed?
If your combined income is $25,000 or less (single) or $32,000 or less (married filing jointly), none of your benefits is federally taxable.
From Are Social Security benefits taxed?
Is Social Security taxed at 85%?
No. Up to 85% of your benefits can be counted as taxable income, and that portion is taxed at your normal income tax rate.
From Are Social Security benefits taxed?
Did the 2025 tax law end taxes on Social Security?
No. It added a $6,000 deduction for each person 65 or older for 2025 through 2028. That lowers tax for many retirees, but the rules for taxing benefits did not change.
From Are Social Security benefits taxed?
Does my pension count toward combined income?
Yes. The taxable part of a pension counts in full, which is why most retirees with a public pension have some taxable Social Security.
From Are Social Security benefits taxed?
How do I have taxes taken out of Social Security?
Use your my Social Security account, call 1-800-772-1213, or send Form W-4V. You can choose 7%, 10%, 12% or 22%.
From Are Social Security benefits taxed?
Does Oregon tax Social Security?
No. Oregon lets you subtract Social Security benefits that were taxed on your federal return. Pension income is generally taxable in Oregon.
From Are Social Security benefits taxed?