CSRS Retirement Benefit Calculator
Understanding Your CSRS Retirement Benefit
The Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) is a defined benefit plan that provides retirement, disability, and survivor benefits to federal employees hired before January 1, 1984. Unlike the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), CSRS does not include Social Security benefits as part of its primary retirement package, though some CSRS employees may have Social Security coverage through other employment.
How Your CSRS Benefit is Calculated
Your CSRS retirement benefit is primarily determined by two factors:
- Your "High-3" Average Salary: This 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.
- Your Years and Months of Creditable Service: This includes all periods of federal civilian service for which retirement deductions were taken, as well as certain types of military service if a deposit was made.
The benefit formula is tiered, meaning different percentages are applied to different segments of your service:
- 1.5% of your High-3 average salary for the first 5 years of service.
- 1.75% of your High-3 average salary for the next 5 years of service (years 6 through 10).
- 2.0% of your High-3 average salary for all service over 10 years.
Using the CSRS Retirement Benefit Calculator
Our calculator helps you estimate your annual and monthly CSRS retirement benefit based on the standard formula. Simply input your:
- High-3 Average Salary: Enter the average of your highest 3 consecutive years of basic pay.
- Years of Creditable Service: Enter the total number of full years you have served.
- Months of Creditable Service: Enter any additional months of service (0-11).
Example Calculation:
Let's say an employee has a High-3 Average Salary of $75,000 and 30 years and 6 months of creditable service.
- First 5 years: 5 years * 1.5% * $75,000 = $5,625
- Next 5 years (years 6-10): 5 years * 1.75% * $75,000 = $6,562.50
- Remaining 20.5 years (over 10 years): 20.5 years * 2.0% * $75,000 = $30,750
- Total Annual Benefit: $5,625 + $6,562.50 + $30,750 = $42,937.50
- Total Monthly Benefit: $42,937.50 / 12 = $3,578.13
Important Considerations:
This calculator provides an estimate based on the general CSRS formula. Your actual benefit may vary due to factors such as:
- Special Provisions: Certain occupations (e.g., law enforcement officers, firefighters, air traffic controllers) have different, often more generous, benefit formulas.
- Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs): CSRS annuities are subject to annual COLAs, which are not factored into this initial calculation.
- Survivor Benefits: Electing survivor benefits will reduce your annuity.
- Part-time Service: If you had part-time service, your benefit calculation might be prorated.
- Deposits and Redeposits: Unpaid deposits for prior service or redeposits for refunded service can affect your creditable service or annuity amount.
For a precise calculation of your CSRS annuity, it is always best to consult with your agency's human resources or retirement specialist, or the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).