What is the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and how does it work?

10 Apr 21

The Civil Service Retirement Act, which became effective on August 1, 1920, established a retirement system for certain Federal employees.  It was replaced by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) for Federal employees who first entered covered service on and after January 1, 1987.

The Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) is a defined benefit, contributory retirement system.  Employees share in the expense of the annuities to which they become entitled. CSRS covered employees contribute 7, 7 1/2 or 8 percent of their pay to the CSRS.  While they generally pay no Social Security retirement, survivor and disability (OASDI) tax, they must pay the Medicare tax (currently 1.45 percent of pay).  The employing agency matches the employee's CSRS contributions.

CSRS employees may increase their earned annuity by contributing up to 10 percent of the basic pay for their creditable service to a voluntary contribution account.   Employees may also contribute a portion of pay to the Thrift Saving Plan (TSP).  There is no Government contribution to TSP, but the employee contributions are tax-deferred.

CSRS eligibility is based on your age and the number of years of creditable service and any other special requirements. In addition, you must have served in a position subject to CSRS coverage for one of the last two years before your retirement. If you meet one of the following sets of requirements, you may be eligible for an immediate retirement benefit. An immediate annuity is one that begins within 30 days after your separation. There are five categories of benefits under the Civil Service Retirement System:

• Optional: If you leave Federal Service after you meet the age and service requirements, you are eligible for an optional annuity. If you leave Federal service before you meet the age and service requirements for an immediate retirement benefit, you may be eligible for deferred retirement benefits. To be eligible, you must have at least five years of creditable civilian service and be age 62.

• Special Optional: You must retire under special provisions for air traffic controllers or law enforcement and firefighter personnel. Air traffic controllers can also retire at any age with 25 years of service as an air traffic controller.

• Early Optional: Your agency must be undergoing a major reorganization, reduction-in-force, or transfer of function determined by the Office of Personnel Management. Your annuity is reduced if you are under age 55.

• Discontinued Service: Your separation is involuntary and not a removal for misconduct or delinquency.

• Disability: You must be disabled for useful and efficient service in your current position and any other vacant position at the same grade or pay level within your commuting area and current agency for which you are qualified. The disability must have onset prior to retirement and should be expected to last for at least one year.

For more information, such as how CSRS relates to military retirement pay, see the following link:

https://www.opm.gov/retirement-services/csrs-information/

To talk to a person:   OPM established the Benefits and Entitlements Service Team (BEST)

Monday-Friday 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 1-800-767-6738

TSP 1-877-968-3778

Vision/Dental 1-877-888-3337

DFAS 1-800-729-3277

The Buckley AFB Civilian Personnel Office is in Bldg 606 and their phone is 720-847-6915/6191.