Understanding Your Federal Retirement Benefits: FERS

An Overview of FERS & Different Types of Retirement

Types of service used for determining eligibility to retire under FERS
Employee and agency contributions to FERS
Military service and temporary time
The FERS annuity computation
Minimum age and service requirements
Early retirement
Deferred retirement and “postponed” retirement

Understanding the Annuity Computation

Amount of an annuity
Length of service and unused sick leave
High-3 average salary
Effective date of your annuity
FERS transfers from CSRS
Special retirement supplement
Possible reduction of your FERS Annuity
Survivor benefits

Other Information for FERS Annuitants

Submitting your retirement application
Receipt of first annuity check
Future questions regarding retirement and insurance issues

... plus more!

Speaker and Presenter Information

Edward A. Zurndorfer, EA, CFP, CLU, ChFC, CEBS has been conducting Federal employee benefits and planning for retirement workshops at various Federal agencies throughout the country since 1999.

Mr. Zurndorfer has written numerous publications for the Federal Employees News Digest (FEND) on Federal employee benefits and is the moderator of FEND’s popular Federal Soup Question and Answer Forum. Ed is the top contributor for FedSoup. Ed also writes a weekly column on Federal employee benefits and retirement issues. He has also been heard on Federal News Radio.

In addition, Ed is the owner of EZ Accounting and Financial Services, an accounting practice that serves of 200+ clients throughout the country and he is an Enrolled agent, representing taxpayers in disputes before the IRS.

Relevant Government Agencies

Air Force, Army, Navy & Marine Corps, Intelligence Agencies, DOD & Military, Office of the President (includes OMB), Dept of Agriculture, Dept of Commerce, Dept of Education, Dept of Energy, Dept of Health & Human Services, Dept of Homeland Security, Dept of Housing & Urban Development, Dept of the Interior, Dept of Justice, Dept of Labor, Dept of State, Dept of Transportation, Dept of Treasury, Dept of Veterans Affairs, EPA, GSA, USPS, SSA, NASA, Legislative Agencies (GAO, GPO, LOC, etc.), Judicial Branch Agencies, CIA, FEMA, Office of Personnel Management, Coast Guard, National Institutes of Health, FAA, Census Bureau, USAID, National Guard Association, Federal Government, FDA, NSA, FCC