How to File Your OPM Retirement Application: A Step-by-Step Guide for FERS Employees
The short answer: The OPM retirement application for FERS employees is SF 3107 (“Application for Immediate Retirement — Federal Employees Retirement System”), which should be submitted to your agency’s HR office 60 to 90 days before your planned retirement date. OPM then processes the application and begins paying an interim annuity — typically 60–80% of your estimated final benefit — within 45–60 days of separation. Full adjudication currently takes additional months. The SF 3107 and all supporting forms are available at OPM.gov.
Key Takeaways
- The primary retirement form for FERS employees is SF 3107. OPM also requires supplemental forms for survivor benefit elections, FEGLI, FEHB, and military service buyback, per OPM.gov.
- Submit your application 60 to 90 days before your retirement date — earlier is better. Your HR office needs that time to compile your records before transmitting to OPM.
- OPM received over 12,000 new retirement claims in April 2026 alone, per Federal News Network — with processing volumes elevated, lead time is especially important in 2026.
- Your interim annuity typically begins within 45–60 days of separation. The return-of-contributions portion is non-taxable; full adjudication may take several more months.
- The survivor benefit election on SF 3107-2 is irrevocable after 30 days past your first regular (non-interim) annuity payment — choose carefully before submitting.
What Is the OPM Retirement Application (SF 3107) and Why Does It Matter?
SF 3107 is the standard application form for FERS immediate retirement. “Immediate” means your annuity payments start on the first day of the month after your retirement date. If your last day in pay status results in a later date, payments begin then.
This is distinct from deferred or postponed retirement. That applies to employees who choose to leave federal service before meeting retirement eligibility and wait until a later date to start receiving benefits.
If you are at or past your MRA with the required years of service, you will use SF 3107. Your agency’s HR office will walk you through the full package. Understanding what each component covers helps you prepare in advance and avoid queue.
This guide works best alongside our 12-month retirement action plan. That post covers the full timeline of decisions and steps leading up to your last day of service.
What Forms Are in the FERS Retirement Application Package?
The complete FERS application package typically includes:
SF 3107 — Application for Immediate Retirement (FERS)
The core form. Includes your personal information, employment history, retirement date, and annuity commencement preferences. You will designate your agency and provide your retirement system service computation date.
SF 3107-1 — Certified Summary of Federal Service (if applicable)
For use when you have service that may not appear in your official records. This includes temporary service, non-appropriated fund service, or other non-standard employment.
SF 3107-2 — Spouse’s Consent to Survivor Election.
If you are married and elect to provide less than the maximum survivor annuity for your spouse, your spouse must sign this form in front of a notary. The maximum survivor benefit under FERS provides the surviving spouse with 50% of your reduced annuity. A partial election of 25% is also available. Electing no survivor benefit requires spousal consent by notarized signature. This election is permanent once processed — the same caution applies as with FERS survivor benefits generally.
SF 3107-3 — Information for Survivor Annuitant.
If you are electing a survivor annuity, your designated survivor completes this form to establish their identity and contact information with OPM.
SF 2817 — Life Insurance Election (FEGLI)
Informs OPM of your FEGLI elections at retirement (Basic, Option A, Option B, Option C). Each option carries different reduction and cost rules in retirement. Our post on FEGLI after retirement covers how your coverage changes when you separate.
SF 2809 — Health Benefits Election (FEHB)
Informs OPM of your FEHB enrollment at retirement. To carry FEHB into retirement, you must have been continuously enrolled for the 5 years immediately preceding your retirement date, or since your first opportunity to enroll.
Military service documentation (if applicable)
If you have completed a military service deposit (buyback), you’ll need documentation of that deposit.
When Should You Submit Your Application?
The standard advice is 60 to 90 days before your retirement date, and in 2026 that guidance carries extra weight. OPM received over 12,000 new retirement claims in April 2026 alone, according to Federal News Network. That volume reflects the elevated wave of federal retirements in recent months. The OPM retirement backlog has been a persistent challenge, as covered in our post on the OPM retirement backlog.
The 60–90 day window gives your HR office time to compile and verify your Official Personnel Folder. They confirm your service computation date and resolve discrepancies. They also process any TSP elections, verify your FEGLI and FEHB status, and complete the agency transmittal to OPM.
The ideal sequence: Notify your supervisor and HR office of your planned retirement date six to twelve months out. Submit the completed application package to HR 60–90 days before your last day. Your HR office transmits your file to OPM after your actual separation date.
What Happens After You Submit?
Once your HR office transmits your file to OPM, the following sequence typically unfolds. Each step is described below:
OPM acknowledgment (2–4 weeks after separation): OPM mails you a claim number and initial acknowledgment letter. Save this — it’s your reference number for all future correspondence.
Interim annuity payments begin (45–60 days after separation): OPM begins paying an interim annuity while your case is under full review. This is typically 40–80% of your estimated final annuity (we’ve seen it as low as 20%). As our post on interim annuity payments explains, there is an important tax treatment difference. The portion representing a return of your FERS employee contributions is tax-free.
Full adjudication (3–12 months after separation): OPM completes its review of your full personnel file, verifies all creditable service, calculates your final annuity, and issues a final annuity notice. At this point you receive any retroactive amounts owed.
Annual Leave lump sum payout: Your agency — not OPM — processes your annual leave lump sum. This is typically paid within 2–4 pay periods after your separation date. See our post on annual leave payout at retirement for details on taxation and timing.
How Do You Check on Your Application Status?
OPM provides an online retirement services portal at Services Online (servicesonline.opm.gov). Retirees can view annuity payments, update their address, change tax withholding, and review benefit statements there. For direct inquiries, OPM’s Retirement Services line is 1-888-767-6738 (Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM – 7:30 PM ET).
What Are the Most Common Application Errors That Delay Processing?
Errors that most frequently delay FERS retirement applications include:
Incorrect service computation date (SCD). If your SCD doesn’t match your actual creditable service (including any military buyback, leave without pay, or prior federal service). OPM must resolve the discrepancy before finalizing your annuity. Verify your SCD with your HR office 6–12 months before retirement.
Missing notarized spousal consent for reduced survivor election. If you elect less than the maximum survivor annuity, you must submit a notarized SF 3107-2. Without it, OPM defaults to the maximum election — which permanently reduces your annuity.
FEHB enrollment gap. To carry FEHB into retirement, you must have been continuously enrolled for the 5 years immediately preceding your retirement date. Confirm your enrollment history with HR.
TSP not updated separately. Your TSP account does not transfer automatically with your retirement application. If you want to initiate withdrawals or establish installment payments from TSP, those elections are made directly through My Account at TSP.gov. See our post on TSP Required Minimum Distributions for when these are required.
The OPM retirement application process begins well before your last day: notify HR 6-12 months out, then submit the full application 60-90 days before separation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I submit my SF 3107 directly to OPM myself?
No. SF 3107 must go through your employing agency’s HR office, which compiles your Official Personnel Folder and the full case file before transmitting to OPM. OPM cannot process a direct submission from an employee.
What if I change my retirement date after submitting the application?
Contact your HR office immediately. As long as OPM has not yet adjudicated your case and you have not separated from service, the date can generally be modified. If you’ve already separated, the retirement date is typically the effective separation date.
Can I retire at the end of a pay period vs. end of a month?
FERS retirees generally benefit from retiring at the end of a month. This maximizes the final paycheck and minimizes the gap before the first annuity payment. Your HR office can advise on the optimal date for your specific situation.
What happens to my TSP if I don’t make a withdrawal election?
Your TSP account remains intact and invested in your current allocation. You must begin Required Minimum Distributions at age 73 under current law. There is no automatic withdrawal triggered by retirement alone.
How do I know if I’m eligible for the 1.1% multiplier?
You qualify for the higher 1.1% multiplier if you retire at age 62 or older with at least 20 years of creditable service. This is applied automatically by OPM — you don’t need to elect it. Our post on the FERS 1.1% multiplier explains exactly how much this is worth.
Is there a deadline by which I must submit my SF 3107?
There is no hard deadline — you can apply after your separation date if necessary. However, late submission delays your interim annuity start date and means you will have a period with no income. Early submission is strongly in your interest.
Filing for retirement is the most important paperwork of your federal career — and you should go into it prepared. Register for a free Fed Pilot retirement workshop and get expert guidance on your application timeline, benefit elections, and what to expect from OPM.
