Federal Retirement Annuity Estimator
Use this calculator to get a basic estimate of your potential annual and monthly federal retirement annuity under either the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) or the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). This estimate does not include Social Security, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) withdrawals, or potential survivor benefits.
Understanding Your Federal Retirement Annuity
The federal government offers two primary retirement systems for its employees: the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). Your eligibility and the calculation of your annuity depend heavily on which system you fall under, your years of creditable service, and your "High-3" average salary.
What is "Creditable Federal Service"?
Creditable service generally includes all periods of federal civilian employment for which retirement deductions were taken. It can also include certain periods of military service if a deposit was made, and unused sick leave (for CSRS and FERS, converted to service time at retirement).
What is "High-3 Average Salary"?
Your "High-3" average salary is the highest average basic pay you earned during any 3 consecutive years of service. This period is typically at the end of your career when your salary is highest, but it could be any 3-year period.
FERS Annuity Calculation Basics
FERS is a three-tiered retirement plan consisting of a Basic Annuity, Social Security, and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). This calculator focuses only on the Basic Annuity. The general formula for the FERS Basic Annuity is:
High-3 Average Salary × Years of Creditable Service × Multiplier
- Standard Multiplier: 1% (0.01) for most employees.
- Enhanced Multiplier: 1.1% (0.011) if you retire at age 62 or later with at least 20 years of service.
Reductions: FERS annuities can be reduced if you retire before your Minimum Retirement Age (MRA) with less than 30 years of service, or before age 60 with less than 20 years of service. For example, if you retire at your MRA with at least 10 but less than 30 years of service (MRA+10 provision), your annuity will be reduced by 5% for each year you are under age 62. This calculator includes a basic reduction for the MRA+10 scenario.
CSRS Annuity Calculation Basics
CSRS is a defined-benefit plan that provides a guaranteed annuity based on your service and salary. The formula is tiered:
- First 5 years: 1.5% of your High-3 average salary for each year.
- Next 5 years: 1.75% of your High-3 average salary for each year.
- All remaining years: 2% of your High-3 average salary for each year.
For example, an employee with 30 years of service under CSRS would have their annuity calculated as:
(High-3 × 0.015 × 5) + (High-3 × 0.0175 × 5) + (High-3 × 0.02 × 20)
Important Considerations
This calculator provides an estimate. Your actual annuity may vary based on factors not included here, such as:
- Unused sick leave conversion (which adds to service time).
- Military service buyback.
- Survivor benefit elections.
- Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs).
- Post-retirement earnings limitations (for certain types of retirement).
- Specific retirement eligibility rules (e.g., voluntary, early optional, disability, special provisions for law enforcement/firefighters).
For a precise estimate, it is always best to consult with your agency's HR or retirement specialist.