1. U.S. Code
  2. title 5
  3. part III
  4. subpart G
  5. chapter 84
  6. subchapter II
  7. § 8411

Collapse to view only § 8411. Creditable service

§ 8410. Eligibility for annuity

Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, an employee or Member must complete at least 5 years of civilian service creditable under section 8411 in order to be eligible for an annuity under this subchapter.

(Added Pub. L. 99–335, title I, § 101(a), June 6, 1986, 100 Stat. 522.)

CITE AS: 5 USC 8410

§ 8411. Creditable service
(a)
(1) The total service of an employee or Member is the full years and twelfth parts thereof, excluding from the aggregate the fractional part of a month, if any.
(2) Credit may not be allowed for a period of separation from the service in excess of 3 calendar days.
(b) For the purpose of this chapter, creditable service of an employee or Member includes—
(1) employment as an employee, and any service as a Member (including the period from the date of the beginning of the term for which elected or appointed to the date of taking office as a Member), after December 31, 1986;
(2) except as provided in subsection (f), service with respect to which deductions and withholdings under section 204(a)(1) of the Federal Employees’ Retirement Contribution Temporary Adjustment Act of 1983 have been made;
(3) except as provided in subsection (f) or (h), any civilian service (performed before January 1, 1989, other than any service under paragraph (1) or (2)) which, but for the amendments made by subsections (a)(4) and (b) of section 202 of the Federal Employees’ Retirement System Act of 1986, would be creditable under subchapter III of chapter 83 of this title (determined without regard to any deposit or redeposit requirement under such subchapter, any requirement that the individual become subject to such subchapter after performing the service involved, or any requirement that the individual give notice in writing to the official by whom such individual is paid of such individual’s desire to become subject to such subchapter);
(4) a period of service (other than any service under any other paragraph of this subsection and other than any military service) that was creditable under the Foreign Service Pension System described in subchapter II of chapter 8 1
1 See References in Text note below.
of the Foreign Service Act of 1980, if the employee or Member waives credit for such service under the Foreign Service Pension System and makes a payment to the Fund equal to the amount that would have been deducted from pay under section 8422(a) had the employee been subject to this chapter during such period of service (together with interest on such amount computed under paragraphs (2) and (3) of section 8334(e));
(5) a period of service (other than any service under any other paragraph of this subsection, any military service, and any service performed in the employ of a Federal Reserve Bank) that was creditable under the Bank Plan (as defined in subsection (i)), if the employee waives credit for such service under the Bank Plan and makes a payment to the Fund equal to the amount that would have been deducted from pay under section 8422(a) had the employee been subject to this chapter during such period of service (together with interest on such amount computed under paragraphs (2) and (3) of section 8334(e)); and
(6) service performed by any individual as an employee paid from nonappropriated funds of an instrumentality of the Department of Defense or the Coast Guard described in section 2105(c) that is not otherwise creditable, if the individual elects (in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Office) to have such service credited under this paragraph.
Paragraph (5) shall not apply in the case of any employee as to whom subsection (g) (or, to the extent subchapter III of chapter 83 is involved, section 8332(n)) otherwise applies.
(c)
(1) Except as provided in paragraphs (2), (3), and (5), an employee or Member shall be allowed credit for—
(A) each period of military service performed before January 1, 1957; and
(B) each period of military service performed after December 31, 1956, and before the separation on which title to annuity is based, if a deposit (including interest, if any) is made with respect to such period in accordance with section 8422(e).
(2) If an employee or Member is awarded retired pay based on any period of military service, the service of the employee or Member may not include credit for such period of military service unless the retired pay is awarded—
(A) based on a service-connected disability—
(i) incurred in combat with an enemy of the United States; or
(ii) caused by an instrumentality of war and incurred in line of duty during a period of war as defined by section 1101 of title 38; or
(B) under chapter 1223 of title 10 (or under chapter 67 of that title as in effect before the effective date of the Reserve Officer Personnel Management Act).
(3) An employee or Member who has made a deposit under section 8334(j) (or a similar prior provision of law) with respect to a period of military service, and who has not taken a refund of such deposit—
(A) shall be allowed credit for such service without regard to the deposit requirement under paragraph (1)(B); and
(B) shall be entitled, upon filing appropriate application therefor with the Office, to a refund equal to the difference between—
(i) the amount deposited with respect to such period under such section 8334(j) (or prior provision), excluding interest; and
(ii) the amount which would otherwise have been required with respect to such period under paragraph (1)(B).
(4)
(A) Notwithstanding paragraph (2), for purposes of computing a survivor annuity for a survivor of an employee or Member—
(i) who was awarded retired pay based on any period of military service, and
(ii) whose death occurs before separation from the service,
creditable service of the deceased employee or Member shall include each period of military service includable under subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1) or under paragraph (3). In carrying out this subparagraph, any amount deposited under section 8422(e)(5) shall be taken into account.
(B) A survivor annuity computed based on an amount which, under authority of subparagraph (A), takes into consideration any period of military service shall be reduced by the amount of any survivor’s benefits—
(i) payable to a survivor (other than a child) under a retirement system for members of the uniformed services;
(ii) if, or to the extent that, such benefits are based on such period of military service.
(C) The Office of Personnel Management shall prescribe regulations to carry out this paragraph, including regulations under which—
(i) a survivor may elect not to be covered by this paragraph; and
(ii) this paragraph shall be carried out in any case which involves a former spouse.
(5) If, after January 1, 1997, an employee or Member waives retired pay that is subject to a court order for which there has been effective service on the Secretary concerned for purposes of section 1408 of title 10, the military service on which the retired pay is based may be credited as service for purposes of this chapter only if the employee or Member authorizes the Director to deduct and withhold from the annuity payable to the employee or Member under this subchapter an amount equal to the amount that, if the annuity payment was instead a payment of the employee’s or Member’s retired pay, would have been deducted and withheld and paid to the former spouse covered by the court order under such section 1408. The amount deducted and withheld under this paragraph shall be paid to that former spouse. The period of civil service employment by the employee or Member shall not be taken into consideration in determining the amount of the deductions and withholding or the amount of the payment to the former spouse. The Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall prescribe regulations to carry out this paragraph.
(d) Credit under this chapter shall be allowed for leaves of absence without pay granted an employee while performing military service, or while receiving benefits under subchapter I of chapter 81. An employee or former employee who returns to duty after a period of separation is deemed, for the purpose of this subsection, to have been on leave of absence without pay for that part of the period in which that individual was receiving benefits under subchapter I of chapter 81. Credit may not be allowed for so much of other leaves of absence without pay as exceeds 6 months in the aggregate in a calendar year.
(e) Credit shall be allowed for periods of approved leave without pay granted an employee to serve as a full-time officer or employee of an organization composed primarily of employees (as defined by section 8331(1) or 8401(11)), subject to the employee arranging to pay, through the employee’s employing agency, within 60 days after commencement of such leave without pay, amounts equal to the retirement deductions and agency contributions which would be applicable under sections 8422(a) and 8423(a), respectively, if the employee were in pay status. If the election and all payments provided by this subsection are not made, the employee may not receive credit for the periods of leave without pay, notwithstanding the third sentence of subsection (d).
(f)
(1) An employee or Member who has received a refund of retirement deductions under subchapter III of chapter 83 with respect to any service described in subsection (b)(2) or (b)(3) may not be allowed credit for such service under this chapter unless such employee or Member deposits an amount equal to 1.3 percent of basic pay for such service, with interest. A deposit under this paragraph may be made only with respect to a refund received pursuant to an application filed with the Office before the date on which the employee or Member first becomes subject to this chapter.
(2) An employee or Member may not be allowed credit under this chapter for any service described in subsection (b)(3) for which retirement deductions under subchapter III of chapter 83 have not been made, unless such employee or Member deposits an amount equal to 1.3 percent of basic pay for such service, with interest.
(3) Interest under paragraph (1) or (2) shall be computed in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (3) of section 8334(e) and regulations prescribed by the Office.
(4) For the purpose of survivor annuities, deposits authorized by the preceding provisions of this subsection may also be made by a survivor of an employee or Member.
(g) Any employee who—
(1) served in a position in which the employee was excluded from coverage under this subchapter because the employee was covered under a retirement system established under section 10 of the Federal Reserve Act; and
(2) transferred without a break in service to a position to which the employee was appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate, and in which position the employee is subject to this subchapter,
shall be treated for all purposes of this subchapter as if any service that would have been creditable under the retirement system established under section 10 of the Federal Reserve Act was service performed while subject to this subchapter if any employee and employer deductions, contributions or rights with respect to the employee’s service are transferred from such retirement system to the Fund.
(h) An employee or Member shall be allowed credit for service as a volunteer or volunteer leader under part A of title VIII of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, as a full-time volunteer enrolled in a program of at least 1 year’s duration under part A, B,1 or C of title I of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973, or as a volunteer or volunteer leader under the Peace Corps Act performed at any time prior to the separation on which the entitlement to any annuity under this subchapter is based if the employee or Member has made a deposit with interest, if any, with respect to such service under section 8422(f).
(i)2
2 So in original. Two subsecs. (i) have been enacted.
For purposes of subsection (b)(5), the term “Bank Plan” means the benefit structure in which employees of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System appointed on or after January 1, 1984, participate, which benefit structure is a component of the Retirement Plan for Employees of the Federal Reserve System, established under section 10 of the Federal Reserve Act (and any redesignated or successor version of such benefit structure, if so identified in writing by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for purposes of this chapter).
(i)
(1)2 Upon application to the Office of Personnel Management, any individual who was an employee on the date of enactment of this paragraph, and who has on such date or thereafter acquired 5 years or more of creditable civilian service under this section (exclusive of service for which credit is allowed under this subsection) shall be allowed credit (as service as a congressional employee) for service before December 31, 1990, while employed by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, the Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee, the Democratic National Congressional Committee, or the Republican National Congressional Committee, if—
(A) such employee has at least 4 years and 6 months of service on such committees as of
(B) such employee deposits to the Fund an amount equal to 1.3 percent of the base pay for such service, with interest.
(2) The Office shall accept the certification of the President of the Senate (or the President’s designee) or the Speaker of the House of Representatives (or the Speaker’s designee), as the case may be, concerning the service of, and the amount of compensation received by, an employee with respect to whom credit is to be sought under this subsection.
(3) An individual shall not be granted credit for such service under this subsection if eligible for credit under section 8332(m) for such service.
(k)
(1)3
3 So in original. No subsec. (j) has been enacted.
The Office of Personnel Management shall accept, for the purposes of this chapter, the certification of the head of a nonappropriated fund instrumentality of the United States concerning service of the type described in subsection (b)(6) that was performed for such nonappropriated fund instrumentality.
(2) Service credited under subsection (b)(6) may not also be credited under any other retirement system provided for employees paid from nonappropriated funds of a nonappropriated fund instrumentality.
(l)
(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the service of an individual finally convicted of an offense described in paragraph (2) shall not be taken into account for purposes of this chapter, except that this sentence applies only to service rendered as a Member (irrespective of when rendered). Any such individual (or other person determined under section 8424(d), if applicable) shall be entitled to be paid so much of such individual’s lump-sum credit as is attributable to service to which the preceding sentence applies.
(2) An offense described in this paragraph is any offense described in section 8332(o)(2)(B) for which the following apply:
(A) Every act or omission of the individual (referred to in paragraph (1)) that is needed to satisfy the elements of the offense occurs while the individual is a Member, the President, the Vice President, or an elected official of a State or local government.
(B) Every act or omission of the individual that is needed to satisfy the elements of the offense directly relates to the performance of the individual’s official duties as a Member, the President, the Vice President, or an elected official of a State or local government.
(C) The offense is committed after the date of enactment of this subsection.
(3) An individual convicted of an offense described in paragraph (2) shall not, after the date of the final conviction, be eligible to participate in the retirement system under this chapter while serving as a Member.
(4) The Office of Personnel Management shall prescribe any regulations necessary to carry out this subsection. Such regulations shall include—
(A) provisions under which interest on any lump-sum payment under the second sentence of paragraph (1) shall be limited in a manner similar to that specified in the last sentence of section 8316(b); and
(B) provisions under which the Office may provide for—
(i) the payment, to the spouse or children of any individual referred to in the first sentence of paragraph (1), of any amounts which (but for this clause) would otherwise have been nonpayable by reason of such first sentence, subject to paragraph (5); and
(ii) an appropriate adjustment in the amount of any lump-sum payment under the second sentence of paragraph (1) to reflect the application of clause (i).
(5) Regulations to carry out clause (i) of paragraph (4)(B) shall include provisions to ensure that the authority to make any payment under such clause to the spouse or children of an individual shall be available only to the extent that the application of such clause is considered necessary and appropriate taking into account the totality of the circumstances, including the financial needs of the spouse or children, whether the spouse or children participated in an offense described in paragraph (2) of which such individual was finally convicted, and what measures, if any, may be necessary to ensure that the convicted individual does not benefit from any such payment.
(6) For purposes of this subsection—
(A) the terms “finally convicted” and “final conviction” refer to a conviction (i) which has not been appealed and is no longer appealable because the time for taking an appeal has expired, or (ii) which has been appealed and the appeals process for which is completed;
(B) the term “Member” has the meaning given such term by section 2106, notwithstanding section 8401(20); and
(C) the term “child” has the meaning given such term by section 8441.
(Added Pub. L. 99–335, title I, § 101(a), June 6, 1986, 100 Stat. 522; amended Pub. L. 99–556, title I, § 103, title V, § 502(b), Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3131, 3140; Pub. L. 100–238, title I, §§ 104(b), 105(a), Jan. 8, 1988, 101 Stat. 1746; Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(c)(2), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 406; Pub. L. 102–242, title IV, § 466(b), Dec. 19, 1991, 105 Stat. 2385; Pub. L. 103–82, title III, § 371(b)(1), Sept. 21, 1993, 107 Stat. 910; Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, § 1677(a)(3), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 3019; Pub. L. 104–201, div. A, title VI, § 637(b), Sept. 23, 1996, 110 Stat. 2580; Pub. L. 106–168, title II, § 202(a), Dec. 12, 1999, 113 Stat. 1817; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(4) [div. A, § 901(a)(2)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–196; Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title XI, § 1132(b)(1), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1243; Pub. L. 110–81, title IV, § 401(b), Sept. 14, 2007, 121 Stat. 756; Pub. L. 112–105, § 15(a)(2), Apr. 4, 2012, 126 Stat. 301.)

CITE AS: 5 USC 8411

§ 8412. Immediate retirement
(a) An employee or Member who is separated from the service after attaining the applicable minimum retirement age under subsection (h) and completing 30 years of service is entitled to an annuity.
(b) An employee or Member who is separated from the service after becoming 60 years of age and completing 20 years of service is entitled to an annuity.
(c) An employee or Member who is separated from the service after becoming 62 years of age and completing 5 years of service is entitled to an annuity.
(d)
(1) An employee who is separated from the service, except by removal for cause on charges of misconduct or delinquency—
(A) after completing 25 years of service as a law enforcement officer, member of the Capitol Police or Supreme Court Police, firefighter, nuclear materials courier, or customs and border protection officer, or any combination of such service totaling at least 25 years, or
(B) after becoming 50 years of age and completing 20 years of service as a law enforcement officer, member of the Capitol Police or Supreme Court Police, firefighter, nuclear materials courier, or customs and border protection officer, or any combination of such service totaling at least 20 years,
is entitled to an annuity.
(2)
(A) In this paragraph—
(i) the term “affected individual” means an individual covered under this chapter who—(I) is performing service in a covered position;(II) while on duty, becomes ill or is injured as a direct result of the performance of such duties before the date on which the individual becomes entitled to an annuity under paragraph (1) of this subsection or subsection (e), as applicable;(III) because of the illness or injury described in subclause (II), is permanently unable to render useful and efficient service in the employee’s covered position, as determined by the agency in which the individual was serving when such individual incurred the illness or injury; and(IV) is appointed to a position in the civil service that—(aa) is not a covered position; and(bb) is within an agency that regularly appoints individuals to supervisory or administrative positions related to the activities of the former covered position of the individual;
(ii) the term “covered position” means a position as a law enforcement officer, customs and border protection officer, firefighter, air traffic controller, nuclear materials courier, member of the Capitol Police, or member of the Supreme Court Police.
(B) Unless an affected individual files an election described in subparagraph (E), creditable service by the affected individual in a position described in subparagraph (A)(i)(IV) shall be treated as creditable service in a covered position for purposes of this chapter and determining the amount to be deducted and withheld from the pay of the affected individual under section 8422.
(C) Subparagraph (B) shall only apply if the affected employee transitions to a position described in subparagraph (A)(i)(IV) without a break in service exceeding 3 days.
(D) The service of an affected individual shall no longer be eligible for treatment under subparagraph (B) if such service occurs after the individual—
(i) is transferred to a supervisory or administrative position related to the activities of the former covered position of the individual; or
(ii) meets the age and service requirements that would subject the individual to mandatory separation under section 8425 if such individual had remained in the former covered position.
(E) In accordance with procedures established by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, an affected individual may file an election to have any creditable service performed by the affected individual treated in accordance with this chapter without regard to subparagraph (B).
(F) Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to apply to such affected individual any other pay-related laws or regulations applicable to a covered position.
(e) An employee who is separated from the service, except by removal for cause on charges of misconduct or delinquency—
(1) after completing 25 years of service as an air traffic controller, or
(2) after becoming 50 years of age and completing 20 years of service as an air traffic controller,
is entitled to an annuity.
(f) A Member who is separated from the service, except by resignation or expulsion—
(1) after completing 25 years of service, or
(2) after becoming 50 years of age and completing 20 years of service,
is entitled to an annuity.
(g)
(1) An employee or Member who is separated from the service after attaining the applicable minimum retirement age under subsection (h) and completing 10 years of service is entitled to an annuity. This subsection shall not apply to an employee or Member who is entitled to an annuity under any other provision of this section.
(2) An employee or Member entitled to an annuity under this subsection may defer the commencement of such annuity by written election. The date to which the commencement of the annuity is deferred may not precede the 31st day after the date of filing the election, and must precede the date on which the employee or Member becomes 62 years of age.
(3) The Office shall prescribe regulations under which an election under paragraph (2) shall be made.
(h)
(1) The applicable minimum retirement age under this subsection is—
(A) for an individual whose date of birth is before January 1, 1948, 55 years of age;
(B) for an individual whose date of birth is after December 31, 1947, and before January 1, 1953, 55 years of age plus the number of months in the age increase factor determined under paragraph (2)(A);
(C) for an individual whose date of birth is after December 31, 1952, and before January 1, 1965, 56 years of age;
(D) for an individual whose date of birth is after December 31, 1964, and before January 1, 1970, 56 years of age plus the number of months in the age increase factor determined under paragraph (2)(B); and
(E) for an individual whose date of birth is after December 31, 1969, 57 years of age.
(2)
(A) For an individual whose date of birth occurs during the 5-year period consisting of calendar years 1948 through 1952, the age increase factor shall be equal to two-twelfths times the number of months in the period beginning with January 1948 and ending with December of the year in which the date of birth occurs.
(B) For an individual whose date of birth occurs during the 5-year period consisting of calendar years 1965 through 1969, the age increase factor shall be equal to two-twelfths times the number of months in the period beginning with January 1965 and ending with December of the year in which the date of birth occurs.
(Added Pub. L. 99–335, title I, § 101(a), June 6, 1986, 100 Stat. 524; amended Pub. L. 99–556, title I, § 105(a), Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3131; Pub. L. 101–428, § 3(a), Oct. 15, 1990, 104 Stat. 929; Pub. L. 105–261, div. C, title XXXI, § 3154(g), Oct. 17, 1998, 112 Stat. 2255; Pub. L. 106–553, § 1(a)(2) [title III, § 308(c)(1)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2762, 2762A–87; Pub. L. 110–161, div. E, title V, § 535(b)(2), Dec. 26, 2007, 121 Stat. 2076; Pub. L. 117–225, § 3(b)(1), Dec. 9, 2022, 136 Stat. 2294.)

CITE AS: 5 USC 8412

§ 8412a. Phased retirement
(a) For the purposes of this section—
(1) the term “composite retirement annuity” means the annuity computed when a phased retiree attains full retirement status;
(2) the term “full retirement status” means that a phased retiree has ceased employment and is entitled, upon application, to a composite retirement annuity;
(3) the term “phased employment” means the less-than-full-time employment of a phased retiree;
(4) the term “phased retiree” means a retirement-eligible employee who—
(A) makes an election under subsection (b); and
(B) has not entered full retirement status;
(5) the term “phased retirement annuity” means the annuity payable under this section before full retirement;
(6) the term “phased retirement percentage” means the percentage which, when added to the working percentage for a phased retiree, produces a sum of 100 percent;
(7) the term “phased retirement period” means the period beginning on the date on which an individual becomes entitled to receive a phased retirement annuity and ending on the date on which the individual dies or separates from phased employment;
(8) the term “phased retirement status” means that a phased retiree is concurrently employed in phased employment and eligible to receive a phased retirement annuity;
(9) the term “retirement-eligible employee”—
(A) means an individual who, if the individual separated from the service, would meet the requirements for retirement under subsection (a) or (b) of section 8412; and
(B) does not include—
(i) an individual who, if the individual separated from the service, would meet the requirements for retirement under subsection (d) or (e) of section 8412; but
(ii) does not include an employee described in section 8425 after the date on which the employee is required to be separated from the service by reason of such section; and
(10) the term “working percentage” means the percentage of full-time employment equal to the quotient obtained by dividing—
(A) the number of hours per pay period to be worked by a phased retiree, as scheduled in accordance with subsection (b)(2); by
(B) the number of hours per pay period to be worked by an employee serving in a comparable position on a full-time basis.
(b)
(1) With the concurrence of the head of the employing agency, and under regulations promulgated by the Director, a retirement-eligible employee who has been employed on a full-time basis for not less than the 3-year period ending on the date on which the retirement-eligible employee makes an election under this subsection may elect to enter phased retirement status.
(2)
(A) Subject to subparagraph (B), at the time of entering phased retirement status, a phased retiree shall be appointed to a position for which the working percentage is 50 percent.
(B) The Director may, by regulation, provide for working percentages different from the percentage specified under subparagraph (A), which shall be not less than 20 percent and not more than 80 percent.
(C) The working percentage for a phased retiree may not be changed during the phased retiree’s phased retirement period.
(D)
(i) Not less than 20 percent of the hours to be worked by a phased retiree shall consist of mentoring.
(ii) The Director may, by regulation, provide for exceptions to the requirement under clause (i).
(iii) Clause (i) shall not apply to a phased retiree serving in the United States Postal Service. Nothing in this clause shall prevent the application of clause (i) or (ii) with respect to a phased retiree serving in the Postal Regulatory Commission.
(3) A phased retiree—
(A) may not be employed in more than one position at any time; and
(B) may transfer to another position in the same or a different agency, only if the transfer does not result in a change in the working percentage.
(4) A retirement-eligible employee may make not more than one election under this subsection during the retirement-eligible employee’s lifetime.
(5) A retirement-eligible employee who makes an election under this subsection may not make an election under section 8420a.
(c)
(1) Except as otherwise provided under this subsection, the phased retirement annuity for a phased retiree is the product obtained by multiplying—
(A) the amount of an annuity computed under section 8415 that would have been payable to the phased retiree if, on the date on which the phased retiree enters phased retirement status, the phased retiree had separated from service and retired under section 8412 (a) or (b); by
(B) the phased retirement percentage for the phased retiree.
(2) A phased retirement annuity shall be paid in addition to the basic pay for the position to which a phased retiree is appointed during the phased employment.
(3) A phased retirement annuity shall be adjusted in accordance with section 8462.
(4)
(A) A phased retirement annuity shall not be subject to reduction for any form of survivor annuity, shall not serve as the basis of the computation of any survivor annuity, and shall not be subject to any court order requiring a survivor annuity to be provided to any individual.
(B) A phased retirement annuity shall be subject to a court order providing for division, allotment, assignment, execution, levy, attachment, garnishment, or other legal process on the same basis as other annuities.
(5)
(A) Any deposit, or election of an actuarial annuity reduction in lieu of a deposit, for military service or for creditable civilian service for which retirement deductions were not made or refunded, shall be made by a retirement-eligible employee at or before the time the retirement-eligible employee enters phased retirement status. No such deposit may be made, or actuarial adjustment in lieu thereof elected, at the time a phased retiree enters full retirement status.
(B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), if a phased retiree does not make such a deposit and dies in service as a phased retiree, a survivor of the phased retiree shall have the same right to make such deposit as would have been available had the employee not entered phased retirement status and died in service.
(6) A phased retirement annuity shall commence on the date on which a phased retiree enters phased employment.
(7) No unused sick leave credit may be used in the computation of the phased retirement annuity.
(d) All basic pay not in excess of the full-time rate of pay for the position to which a phased retiree is appointed shall be deemed to be basic pay for purposes of sections 8422 and 8423.
(e) Under such procedures as the Director may prescribe, a phased retiree may elect to enter full retirement status at any time. Upon making such an election, a phased retiree shall be entitled to a composite retirement annuity.
(f)
(1) Except as provided otherwise under this subsection, a composite retirement annuity is a single annuity computed under regulations prescribed by the Director, equal to the sum of—
(A) the amount of the phased retirement annuity as of the date of full retirement, including any adjustments made under section 8462; and
(B) the product obtained by multiplying—
(i) the amount of an annuity computed under section 8412 that would have been payable at the time of full retirement if the individual had not elected a phased retirement and as if the individual was employed on a full-time basis in the position occupied during the phased retirement period and before any adjustment to provide for a survivor annuity; by
(ii) the working percentage.
(2) After computing a composite retirement annuity under paragraph (1), the Director shall adjust the amount of the annuity for any applicable reductions for a survivor annuity.
(3) A composite retirement annuity shall be adjusted in accordance with section 8462, except that subsection (c)(1) of that section shall not apply.
(4) In computing a composite retirement annuity under paragraph (1)(B)(i), the unused sick leave to the credit of a phased retiree at the time of entry into full retirement status shall be adjusted by dividing the number of hours of unused sick leave by the working percentage.
(g)
(1) Under such procedures and conditions as the Director may provide, and with the concurrence of the head of employing agency, a phased retiree may elect to terminate phased retirement status and return to a full-time work schedule.
(2) Upon entering a full-time work schedule based on an election under paragraph (1), the phased retirement annuity of a phased retiree shall terminate.
(3) After termination of the phased retirement annuity under this subsection, the individual’s rights under this chapter shall be determined based on the law in effect at the time of any subsequent separation from service. For purposes of this chapter, at the time of the subsequent separation from service, the phased retirement period shall be treated as if it had been a period of part-time employment with the work schedule described in subsection (b)(2).
(h) For purposes of subchapter IV—
(1) the death of a phased retiree shall be deemed to be the death in service of an employee;
(2) except for purposes of section 8442(b)(1)(A)(i), the phased retirement period shall be deemed to have been a period of part-time employment with the work schedule described in subsection (b)(2) of this section; and
(3) for purposes of section 8442(b)(1)(A)(i), the phased retiree shall be deemed to have been at the full-time rate of pay for the position occupied.
(i) Employment of a phased retiree shall not be deemed to be part-time career employment, as defined in section 3401(2).
(j) A phased retiree is not eligible to receive an annuity supplement under section 8421.
(k) For purposes of subchapter III, a phased retiree shall be deemed to be an employee.
(l) For purposes of section 8445(d), retirement shall be deemed to occur on the date on which a phased retiree enters into full retirement status.
(m) A phased retiree is not eligible to apply for an annuity under subchapter V.
(n) A phased retiree is not subject to section 8468.
(o) For purposes of chapter 87, a phased retiree shall be deemed to be receiving basic pay at the rate of a full-time employee in the position to which the phased retiree is appointed.
(Added Pub. L. 112–141, div. F, title I, § 100121(b)(1), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 910.)

CITE AS: 5 USC 8412a

§ 8413. Deferred retirement
(a) An employee or Member who is separated from the service, or transferred to a position in which the employee or Member does not continue subject to this chapter, after completing 5 years of service is entitled to an annuity beginning at the age of 62 years.
(b)
(1) An employee or Member who is separated from the service, or transferred to a position in which the employee or Member does not continue subject to this chapter, after completing 10 years of service but before attaining the applicable minimum retirement age under section 8412(h) is entitled to an annuity beginning on the date designated by the employee or Member in a written election under this subsection. The date designated under this subsection may not precede the date on which the employee or Member attains such minimum retirement age and must precede the date on which the employee or Member becomes 62 years of age.
(2) The election of an annuity under this subsection shall not be effective unless—
(A) it is made at such time and in such manner as the Office shall by regulation prescribe; and
(B) the employee or Member will not otherwise be eligible to receive an annuity within 31 days after filing the election.
(3) The election of an annuity under this subsection extinguishes the right of the employee or Member to receive any other annuity based on the service on which the annuity under this subsection is based.
(Added Pub. L. 99–335, title I, § 101(a), June 6, 1986, 100 Stat. 525; amended Pub. L. 99–556, title I, § 105(b)(1), Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3132.)

CITE AS: 5 USC 8413

§ 8414. Early retirement
(a)
(1) A member of the Senior Executive Service who is removed from the Senior Executive Service for less than fully successful executive performance (as determined under subchapter II of chapter 43 of this title) after completing 25 years of service, or after becoming 50 years of age and completing 20 years of service, is entitled to an annuity.
(2) A member of the Defense Intelligence Senior Executive Service or the Senior Cryptologic Executive Service who is removed from such service for failure to be recertified as a senior executive or for less than fully successful executive performance after completing 25 years of service, or after becoming 50 years of age and completing 20 years of service, is entitled to an annuity.
(3) A member of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Drug Enforcement Administration Senior Executive Service who is removed from such service for failure to be recertified as a senior executive or for less than fully successful executive performance after completing 25 years of service or after becoming 50 years of age and completing 20 years of service is entitled to an annuity.
(b)
(1) Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), an employee who—
(A) is separated from the service involuntarily, except by removal for cause on charges of misconduct or delinquency; or
(B)
(i) has been employed continuously, by the agency in which the employee is serving, for at least the 31-day period ending on the date on which such agency requests the determination referred to in clause (iv);
(ii) is serving under an appointment that is not time limited;
(iii) has not been duly notified that such employee is to be involuntarily separated for misconduct or unacceptable performance;
(iv) is separate 1
1 So in original. Probably should be “separated”.
from the service voluntarily during a period in which, as determined by the Office of Personnel Management (upon request of the agency) under regulations prescribed by the Office—(I) such agency (or, if applicable, the component in which the employee is serving) is undergoing substantial delayering, substantial reorganization, substantial reductions in force, substantial transfer of function, or other substantial workforce restructuring (or shaping);(II) a significant percentage of employees serving in such agency (or component) are likely to be separated or subject to an immediate reduction in the rate of basic pay (without regard to subchapter VI of chapter 53, or comparable provisions); or(III) identified as being in positions which are becoming surplus or excess to the agency’s future ability to carry out its mission effectively; and
(v) as determined by the agency under regulations prescribed by the Office, is within the scope of the offer of voluntary early retirement, which may be made on the basis of—(I) 1 or more organizational units;(II) 1 or more occupational series or levels;(III) 1 or more geographical locations;(IV) specific periods;(V) skills, knowledge, or other factors related to a position; or(VI) any appropriate combination of such factors.2
2 So in original. Probably should be a semicolon.
after completing 25 years of service, or after becoming 50 years of age and completing 20 years of service, is entitled to an annuity.
(2) An employee under paragraph (1) who is separated as described in subparagraph (A) of such paragraph is not entitled to an annuity under this subsection if the employee has declined a reasonable offer of another position in the employee’s agency for which the employee is qualified, and the offered position is not lower than 2 grades (or pay levels) below the employee’s grade (or pay level) and is within the employee’s commuting area.
(3) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to an employee entitled to an annuity under subsection (d)(1) or (e) of section 8412.
(c)
(1) An employee who was hired as a military reserve technician on or before February 10, 1996 (under the provisions of this title in effect before that date), and who is separated from technician service, after becoming 50 years of age and completing 25 years of service, by reason of being separated from the Selected Reserve of the employee’s reserve component or ceasing to hold the military grade specified by the Secretary concerned for the position held by the employee is entitled to an annuity.
(2) An employee who is initially hired as a military technician (dual status) after February 10, 1996, and who is separated from the Selected Reserve or ceases to hold the military grade specified by the Secretary concerned for the position held by the technician—
(A) after completing 25 years of service as a military technician (dual status), or
(B) after becoming 50 years of age and completing 20 years of service as a military technician (dual status),
is entitled to an annuity.
(d)
(1) The Secretary of Defense may, during fiscal years 2002 and 2003, carry out a program under which an employee of the Department of Defense may be separated from the service entitled to an immediate annuity under this subchapter if the employee—
(A) has—
(i) completed 25 years of service; or
(ii) become 50 years of age and completed 20 years of service; and
(B) is eligible for the annuity under paragraph (2) or (3).
(2)
(A) For the purposes of paragraph (1), an employee referred to in that paragraph is eligible for an immediate annuity under this paragraph if the employee—
(i) is separated from the service involuntarily other than for cause; and
(ii) has not declined a reasonable offer of another position in the Department of Defense for which the employee is qualified, which is not lower than 2 grades (or pay levels) below the employee’s grade (or pay level), and which is within the employee’s commuting area.
(B) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(A)(i), a separation for failure to accept a directed reassignment to a position outside the commuting area of the employee concerned or to accompany a position outside of such area pursuant to a transfer of function may not be considered to be a removal for cause.
(3) For the purposes of paragraph (1), an employee referred to in that paragraph is eligible for an immediate annuity under this paragraph if the employee satisfies all of the following conditions:
(A) The employee is separated from the service voluntarily during a period in which the organization within the Department of Defense in which the employee is serving is undergoing a major organizational adjustment.
(B) The employee has been employed continuously by the Department of Defense for more than 30 days before the date on which the head of the employee’s organization requests the determinations required under subparagraph (A).
(C) The employee is serving under an appointment that is not limited by time.
(D) The employee is not in receipt of a decision notice of involuntary separation for misconduct or unacceptable performance.
(E) The employee is within the scope of an offer of voluntary early retirement, as defined on the basis of one or more of the following objective criteria:
(i) One or more organizational units.
(ii) One or more occupational groups, series, or levels.
(iii) One or more geographical locations.
(iv) Any other similar objective and nonpersonal criteria that the Office of Personnel Management determines appropriate.
(4) Under regulations prescribed by the Office of Personnel Management, the determinations of whether an employee meets—
(A) the requirements of subparagraph (A) of paragraph (3) shall be made by the Office upon the request of the Secretary of Defense; and
(B) the requirements of subparagraph (E) of such paragraph shall be made by the Secretary of Defense.
(5) A determination of which employees are within the scope of an offer of early retirement shall be made only on the basis of consistent and well-documented application of the relevant criteria.
(6) In this subsection, the term “major organizational adjustment” means any of the following:
(A) A major reorganization.
(B) A major reduction in force.
(C) A major transfer of function.
(D) A workforce restructuring—
(i) to meet mission needs;
(ii) to achieve one or more reductions in strength;
(iii) to correct skill imbalances; or
(iv) to reduce the number of high-grade, managerial, supervisory, or similar positions.
(Added Pub. L. 99–335, title I, § 101(a), June 6, 1986, 100 Stat. 526; amended Pub. L. 100–325, § 2(m), May 30, 1988, 102 Stat. 583; Pub. L. 101–194, title V, § 506(b)(9), Nov. 30, 1989, 103 Stat. 1759; Pub. L. 105–261, div. A, title XI, § 1109(b), Oct. 17, 1998, 112 Stat. 2144; Pub. L. 106–58, title VI, § 651(b), Sept. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 480; Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title V, § 522(b), Oct. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 597; Pub. L. 106–398, § 1 [[div. A], title XI, § 1152(b)], Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1654, 1654A–321; Pub. L. 107–296, title XIII, §§ 1313(b)(2), 1321(a)(5)(A), Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2295, 2297; Pub. L. 117–225, § 3(b)(2)(A)(i), Dec. 9, 2022, 136 Stat. 2295.)

CITE AS: 5 USC 8414

§ 8415. Computation of basic annuity
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the annuity of an employee retiring under this subchapter is 1 percent of that individual’s average pay multiplied by such individual’s total service.
(span) The annuity of a Member, or former Member with title to a Member annuity, retiring under this subchapter is computed under subsection (a), except that if the individual has had at least 5 years of service as a Member or Congressional employee, or any combination thereof, so much of the annuity as is computed with respect to either such type of service (or a combination thereof), not exceeding a total of 20 years, shall be computed by multiplying 17⁄10 percent of the individual’s average pay by the years of such service.
(c) The annuity of a Congressional employee, or former Congressional employee, retiring under this subchapter is computed under subsection (a), except that if the individual has had at least 5 years of service as a Congressional employee or Member, or any combination thereof, so much of the annuity as is computed with respect to either such type of service (or a combination thereof), not exceeding a total of 20 years, shall be computed by multiplying 17⁄10 percent of the individual’s average pay by the years of such service.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the annuity of an individual described in subsection (span) or (c) who is a revised annuity employee or a further revised annuity employee shall be computed in the same manner as in the case of an individual described in subsection (a).
(e) The annuity of an employee retiring under subsection (d)(1) or (e) of section 8412 or under subsection (a), (span), or (c) of section 8425 is—
(1) 17⁄10 percent of that individual’s average pay multiplied by so much of such individual’s total service as does not exceed 20 years; plus
(2) 1 percent of that individual’s average pay multiplied by so much of such individual’s total service as exceeds 20 years.
(f)
(1) an air traffic controller as defined by section 2109(1)(A)(i);
(2) a first level supervisor of an air traffic controller as defined by section 2109(1)(A)(i); or
(3) a second level supervisor of an air traffic controller as defined by section 2109(1)(A)(i);
so much of the annuity as is computed with respect to such type of service shall be computed by multiplying 1 7/10 percent of the individual’s average pay by the years of such service.
(g)
(1) In computing an annuity under this subchapter for an employee whose service includes service performed on a part-time basis—
(A) the average pay of the employee, to the extent that it includes pay for service performed in any position on a part-time basis, shall be determined by using the annual rate of basic pay that would be payable for full-time service in the position; and
(B) the benefit so computed shall then be multiplied by a fraction equal to the ratio which the employee’s actual service, as determined by prorating the employee’s total service to reflect the service that was performed on a part-time basis, bears to the total service that would be creditable for the employee if all of the service had been performed on a full-time basis.
(2) For the purpose of this subsection, employment on a part-time basis shall not be considered to include employment on a temporary or intermittent basis.
(h)
(1) The annuity of an employee or Member retiring under section 8412(g) or 8413(span) is computed in accordance with applicable provisions of this section, except that the annuity shall be reduced by five-twelfths of 1 percent for each full month by which the commencement date of the annuity precedes the sixty-second anniversary of the birth of the employee or Member.
(2)
(A) Paragraph (1) does not apply in the case of an employee or Member retiring under section 8412(g) or 8413(span) if the employee or Member would satisfy the age and service requirements for title to an annuity under section 8412(a), (span), (d)(1)(B), (e)(2), or (f)(2), determined as if the employee or Member had, as of the date of separation, attained the age specified in subparagraph (B).
(B) A determination under subparagraph (A) shall be based on how old the employee or Member will be as of the date on which the annuity under section 8412(g) or 8413(span) is to commence.
(i)
(1) In applying subsection (a) with respect to an employee under paragraph (2), the percentage applied under such subsection shall be 1.1 percent, rather than 1 percent.
(2) This subsection applies in the case of an employee who—
(A) retires entitled to an annuity under section 8412; and
(B) at the time of the separation on which entitlement to the annuity is based, is at least 62 years of age and has completed at least 20 years of service;
but does not apply in the case of a Congressional employee, military technician (dual status), law enforcement officer, member of the Supreme Court Police, firefighter, nuclear materials courier, air traffic controller, or customs and border protection officer 1
1 So in original. Probably should be followed by a period.
(j) The annuity of a Member who has served in a position in the executive branch for which the rate of basic pay was reduced for the duration of the service of the Member in that position to remove the impediment to the appointment of the Member imposed by article I, section 6, clause 2 of the Constitution, shall, subject to a deposit in the Fund as provided under section 8422(g), be computed as though the rate of basic pay which would otherwise have been in effect during that period of service had been in effect.
(k)
(1) For purposes of this subsection, the term “physicians comparability allowance” refers to an amount described in section 8331(3)(H).
(2) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, no part of a physicians comparability allowance shall be treated as basic pay for purposes of any computation under this section unless, before the date of the separation on which entitlement to annuity is based, the separating individual has completed at least 15 years of service as a Government physician (whether performed before, on, or after the date of the enactment of this subsection).
(3) If the condition under paragraph (2) is met, then, any amounts received by the individual in the form of a physicians comparability allowance shall (for the purposes referred to in paragraph (2)) be treated as basic pay, but only to the extent that such amounts are attributable to service performed on or after the date of the enactment of this subsection, and only to the extent of the percentage allowable, which shall be determined as follows:

If the total amount of service

 performed, on or after the date of

 the enactment of this subsection,

 as a Government physician is:

Then, the percentage allowable is:

Less than 2 years

0  

At least 2 but less than 4 years

25  

At least 4 but less than 6 years

50  

At least 6 but less than 8 years

75  

At least 8 years

100.

(4) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, 100 percent of all amounts received as a physicians comparability allowance shall, to the extent attributable to service performed on or after the date of the enactment of this subsection, be treated as basic pay (without regard to any of the preceding provisions of this subsection) for purposes of computing—
(A) an annuity under section 8452; and
(B) a survivor annuity under subchapter IV, if based on the service of an individual who dies before separating from service.
(l) The annuity of an employee retiring under this chapter with service credited under section 8411(span)(6) shall be reduced by the amount necessary to ensure that the present value of the annuity payable to the employee under this subchapter is actuarially equivalent to the present value of the annuity that would be payable to the employee under this subchapter if it were computed—
(1) on the basis of service that does not include service credited under section 8411(span)(6); and
(2) assuming the employee separated from service on the actual date of the separation of the employee.
The amount of the reduction shall be computed under regulations prescribed by the Office of Personnel Management for the administration of this subsection.
(m)
(1) In computing an annuity under this subchapter, the total service of an employee who retires from the position of a registered nurse with the Veterans Health Administration on an immediate annuity, or dies while employed in that position leaving any survivor entitled to an annuity, includes the days of unused sick leave to the credit of that employee under a formal leave system, except that such days shall not be counted in determining average pay or annuity eligibility under this subchapter.
(2)
(A) Except as provided in paragraph (1), in computing an annuity under this subchapter, the total service of an employee who retires on an immediate annuity or who dies leaving a survivor or survivors entitled to annuity includes the applicable percentage of the days of unused sick leave to his credit under a formal leave system and for which days the employee has not received payment, except that these days will not be counted in determining average pay or annuity eligibility under this subchapter. For purposes of this subsection, in the case of any such employee who is excepted from subchapter I of chapter 63 under section 6301(2)(x) through (xiii), the days of unused sick leave to his credit include any unused sick leave standing to his credit when he was excepted from such subchapter.
(B) For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term “applicable percentage” means—
(i) 50 percent in the case of an annuity, entitlement to which is based on a death or other separation occurring during the period beginning on the date of enactment of this paragraph and ending on December 31, 2013; and
(ii) 100 percent in the case of an annuity, entitlement to which is based on a death or other separation occurring after December 31, 2013.
(n) In the case of any annuity computation under this section that includes, in the aggregate, at least 2 months of credit under section 8411(d) for any period while receiving benefits under subchapter I of chapter 81, the percentage otherwise applicable under this section for that period so credited shall be increased by 1 percentage point.
(Added Puspan. L. 99–335, title I, § 101(a), June 6, 1986, 100 Stat. 527; amended Puspan. L. 99–556, title I, § 105(span)(2), Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3132; Puspan. L. 103–283, title III, § 307(span)(2), July 22, 1994, 108 Stat. 1442; Puspan. L. 105–61, title V, § 516(a)(7), Oct. 10, 1997, 111 Stat. 1306; Puspan. L. 105–261, div. C, title XXXI, § 3154(h), Oct. 17, 1998, 112 Stat. 2255; Puspan. L. 106–65, div. A, title V, § 522(c)(1), Oct. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 597; Puspan. L. 106–553, § 1(a)(2) [title III, § 308(c)(2)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2762, 2762A–87; Puspan. L. 106–571, § 3(c)(1), Dec. 28, 2000, 114 Stat. 3055; Puspan. L. 107–107, div. A, title XI, § 1132(span)(3), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1244; Puspan. L. 107–135, title I, § 122(a), Jan. 23, 2002, 115 Stat. 2451; Puspan. L. 108–92, § 1(a), Oct. 3, 2003, 117 Stat. 1160; Puspan. L. 108–176, title II, § 226(span)(1), Dec. 12, 2003, 117 Stat. 2530; Puspan. L. 110–161, div. E, title V, § 535(span)(3), Dec. 26, 2007, 121 Stat. 2076; Puspan. L. 111–84, div. A, title XIX, § 1901(a), Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2615; Puspan. L. 112–96, title V, § 5001(c)(1), Fespan. 22, 2012, 126 Stat. 199; Puspan. L. 113–67, div. A, title IV, § 401(d), Dec. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 1185; Puspan. L. 114–190, title II, § 2304(a), July 15, 2016, 130 Stat. 640; Puspan. L. 117–225, § 3(span)(2)(A)(ii), Dec. 9, 2022, 136 Stat. 2295.)

CITE AS: 5 USC 8415

§ 8416. Survivor reduction for a current spouse
(a)
(1) If an employee or Member is married at the time of retiring under this chapter, the reduction described in section 8419(a) shall be made unless the employee or Member and the spouse jointly waive, by written election, any right which the spouse may have to a survivor annuity under section 8442 based on the service of such employee or Member. A waiver under this paragraph shall be filed with the Office under procedures prescribed by the Office.
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), an employee or Member who is married at the time of retiring under this chapter may waive the annuity for a surviving spouse without the spouse’s consent if the employee or Member establishes to the satisfaction of the Office (in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Office)—
(A) that the spouse’s whereabouts cannot be determined; or
(B) that, due to exceptional circumstances, requiring the employee or Member to seek the spouse’s consent would otherwise be inappropriate.
(3) Except as provided in subsection (d), a waiver made under this subsection shall be irrevocable.
(b)
(1) Upon remarriage, a retired employee or Member who was married at the time of retirement (including an employee or Member whose annuity was not reduced to provide a survivor annuity for the employee’s or Member’s spouse or former spouse as of the time of retirement) may irrevocably elect during such marriage, in a signed writing received by the Office within 2 years after such remarriage or, if later, within 2 years after the death or remarriage of any former spouse of such employee or Member who was entitled to a survivor annuity under section 8445 (or of the last such surviving former spouse, if there was more than one), a reduction in the employee’s or Member’s annuity under section 8419(a) for the purpose of providing an annuity for such employee’s or Member’s spouse in the event such spouse survives the employee or Member.
(2) The election and reduction shall be effective the first day of the second month after the election is received by the Office, but not less than 9 months after the date of the remarriage.
(3) An election to provide a survivor annuity to an individual under this subsection—
(A) shall prospectively void any election made by the employee or Member under section 8420 with respect to such individual; or
(B) shall, if an election was made by the employee or Member under section 8420 with respect to a different individual, prospectively void such election if appropriate written application is made by such employee or Member at the time of making the election under this subsection.
(4) Any election under this subsection made by an employee or Member on behalf of an individual after the retirement of such employee or Member shall not be effective if—
(A) the employee or Member was married to such individual at the time of retirement; and
(B) the annuity rights of such individual based on the service of such employee or Member were then waived under subsection (a).
(c)
(1) An employee or Member who is unmarried at the time of retiring under this chapter and who later marries may irrevocably elect, in a signed writing received by the Office within 2 years after such employee or Member marries or, if later, within 2 years after the death or remarriage of any former spouse of such employee or Member who was entitled to a survivor annuity under section 8445 (or of the last such surviving former spouse, if there was more than one), a reduction in the current annuity of the retired employee or Member, in accordance with section 8419(a).
(2) The election and reduction shall take effect the first day of the first month beginning 9 months after the date of marriage. Any such election to provide a survivor annuity for an individual—
(A) shall prospectively void any election made by the employee or Member under section 8420 with respect to such individual; or
(B) shall, if an election was made by the employee or Member under section 8420 with respect to a different individual, prospectively void such election if appropriate written application is made by such employee or Member at the time of making the election under this subsection.
(d)
(1) An employee or Member—
(A) who is married on the date of retiring under this chapter, and
(B) with respect to whose spouse a waiver under subsection (a) has been made,
may, during the 18-month period beginning on such date, elect to have a reduction made under section 8419 in order to provide a survivor annuity under section 8442 for such spouse.
(2)
(A) An election under this subsection shall not be effective unless the amount described in subparagraph (B) is deposited into the Fund before the expiration of the 18-month period referred to in paragraph (1).
(B) The amount to be deposited under this subparagraph is equal to the sum of—
(i) the difference (for the period between the date on which the annuity of the former employee or Member commences and the date on which reductions pursuant to the election under this subsection commence) between the amount paid to the former employee or Member from the Fund under this chapter and the amount which would have been paid if such election had been made at the time of retirement; and
(ii) the costs associated with providing for the election under this subsection.
The amount to be deposited under clause (i) shall include interest, computed at the rate of 6 percent a year.
(3) An annuity which is reduced pursuant to an election by a former employee or Member under this subsection shall be reduced by the same percentage as was in effect under section 8419 as of the date of the employee’s or Member’s retirement.
(4) Rights and obligations under this chapter resulting from an election under this subsection shall be the same as the rights and obligations which would have resulted had the election been made at the time of retirement.
(5) The Office shall inform each employee and Member who is eligible to make an election under this subsection of the right to make such election and the procedures and deadlines applicable in making any such election.
(Added Pub. L. 99–335, title I, § 101(a), June 6, 1986, 100 Stat. 528.)

CITE AS: 5 USC 8416

§ 8417. Survivor reduction for a former spouse
(a) If an employee or Member has a former spouse who is entitled to a survivor annuity as provided in section 8445, the reduction described in section 8419(a) shall be made.
(b)
(1) An employee or Member who has a former spouse may elect, under procedures prescribed by the Office, a reduction in the annuity of the employee or Member under section 8419(a) in order to provide a survivor annuity for such former spouse under section 8445.
(2) An election under this subsection shall be made at the time of retirement or, if the marriage is dissolved after the date of retirement, within 2 years after the date on which the marriage of the former spouse to the employee or Member is so dissolved.
(3) An election under this subsection—
(A) shall not be effective to the extent that it—
(i) conflicts with—(I) any court order or decree referred to in section 8445(a) which was issued before the date of such election; or(II) any agreement referred to in such section 8445(a) which was entered into before such date; or
(ii) would cause the total of survivor annuities payable under sections 8442 and 8445, respectively, based on the service of the employee or Member to exceed the amount which would be payable to a widow or widower of such employee or Member under such section 8442 (determined without regard to any reduction to provide for an annuity under such section 8445); and
(B) shall not be effective, in the case of an employee or Member who is then married, unless it is made with the spouse’s written consent.
The Office shall by regulation provide that subparagraph (B) may be waived for either of the reasons set forth in section 8416(a)(2).
(Added Pub. L. 99–335, title I, § 101(a), June 6, 1986, 100 Stat. 530.)

CITE AS: 5 USC 8417

§ 8418. Survivor elections; deposit; offsets
(a)
(1) An individual who makes an election under subsection (b) or (c) of section 8416 or section 8417(b) which is required to be made within 2 years after the date of a prescribed event shall deposit into the Fund an amount determined by the Office (as nearly as may be administratively feasible) to reflect the amount by which the annuity of such individual would have been reduced if the election had been in effect since the date of retirement (or, if later, and in the case of an election under such section 8416(b), since the date the previous reduction in the annuity of such individual was terminated under paragraph (1) or (2) of section 8419(b)), plus interest.
(2) Interest under paragraph (1) shall be computed at the rate of 6 percent a year.
(b) The Office shall, by regulation, provide for payment of the deposit required under subsection (a) by a reduction in the annuity of the employee or Member. The reduction shall, to the extent practicable, be designed so that the present value of the future reduction is actuarially equivalent to the deposit required under subsection (a), except that the total reductions in the annuity of an employee or Member to pay deposits required by this section shall not exceed 25 percent of the annuity computed under section 8415 or section 8452, including adjustments under section 8462. The reduction required by this subsection, which shall be effective at the same time as the election under section 8416(b) and (c) or section 8417(b), shall be permanent and unaffected by any future termination of the marriage or the entitlement of the former spouse. Such reduction shall be independent of and in addition to the reduction required under section 8416(b) and (c) or section 8417(b).
(c) Subsections (a) and (b) shall not apply if—
(1) the employee or Member makes an election under section 8416(b) or (c) after having made an election under section 8420; and
(2) the election under such section 8420 becomes void under subsection (b)(3) or (c)(2) of such section 8416.
(d) The Office shall prescribe regulations under which the survivor of an employee or Member may make a deposit under this section.
(Added Pub. L. 99–335, title I, § 101(a), June 6, 1986, 100 Stat. 530; amended Pub. L. 103–66, title XI, § 11004(b), Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 412.)

CITE AS: 5 USC 8418

§ 8419. Survivor reductions; computation
(a)
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the annuity of an annuitant computed under section 8415, or under section 8452 (including subsection (a)(2) of such section, if applicable) or one-half of the annuity, if jointly designated for this purpose by the employee or Member and the spouse of the employee or Member under procedures prescribed by the Office of Personnel Management, shall be reduced by 10 percent if a survivor annuity, or a combination of survivor annuities, under section 8442 or 8445 (or both) are to be provided for.
(2)
(A) If no survivor annuity under section 8442 is to be provided for, but one or more survivor annuities under section 8445 involving a total of less than the entirety of the amount referred to in subsection (b)(2) of such section are to be provided for, the annuity of the annuitant involved (as computed under section 8415, or under section 8452 (including subsection (a)(2) of such section, if applicable)) or one-half of the annuity, if jointly designated for this purpose by the employee or Member and the spouse of the employee or Member under procedures prescribed by the Office of Personnel Management, shall be reduced by an appropriate percentage determined under subparagraph (B).
(B) The Office shall prescribe regulations under which an appropriate reduction under this paragraph, not to exceed a total of 10 percent, shall be made.
(b)
(1) Any reduction in an annuity for the purpose of providing a survivor annuity for the current spouse of a retired employee or Member shall be terminated for each full month—
(A) after the death of the spouse; or
(B) after the dissolution of the spouse’s marriage to the employee or Member, except that an appropriate reduction shall be made thereafter if the spouse is entitled, as a former spouse, to a survivor annuity under section 8445.
(2) Any reduction in an annuity for the purpose of providing a survivor annuity for a former spouse of a retired employee or Member shall be terminated for each full month after the former spouse remarries before reaching age 55 or dies. This reduction shall be replaced by appropriate reductions under subsection (a) if the retired employee or Member has one or more of the following:
(A) another former spouse who is entitled to a survivor annuity under section 8445;
(B) a current spouse to whom the employee or Member was married at the time of retirement and with respect to whom a survivor annuity was not waived under section 8416(a) (or, if waived, with respect to whom an election under section 8416(d) has been made); or
(C) a current spouse whom the employee or Member married after retirement and with respect to whom an election has been made under subsection (b) or (c) of section 8416.
(Added Pub. L. 99–335, title I, § 101(a), June 6, 1986, 100 Stat. 531; amended Pub. L. 100–238, title I, § 131(a), Jan. 8, 1988, 101 Stat. 1759.)

CITE AS: 5 USC 8419

§ 8420. Insurable interest reductions
(a)
(1) At the time of retiring under section 8412, 8413, or 8414, an employee or Member who is found to be in good health by the Office may elect to have such employee’s or Member’s annuity (as computed under section 8415) reduced under paragraph (2) in order to provide an annuity under section 8444 for an individual having an insurable interest in the employee or Member. Such individual shall be designated by the employee or Member in writing.
(2) The annuity of the employee or Member making the election is reduced by 10 percent, and by 5 percent for each full 5 years the individual named is younger than the retiring employee or Member, except that the total reduction may not exceed 40 percent.
(3) An annuity which is reduced under this subsection shall, effective the first day of the month following the death of the individual named under this subsection, be recomputed and paid as if the annuity had not been so reduced.
(b)
(1) In the case of a married employee or Member, an election under this section on behalf of the spouse may be made only if any right of such spouse to a survivor annuity based on the service of such employee or Member is waived in accordance with section 8416(a).
(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply in the case of an employee or Member if such employee or Member has a former spouse who would become entitled to an annuity under section 8445 as a survivor of such employee or Member.
(Added Pub. L. 99–335, title I, § 101(a), June 6, 1986, 100 Stat. 532.)

CITE AS: 5 USC 8420

§ 8420a. Alternative forms of annuities
(a) The Office shall prescribe regulations under which any employee or Member who has a life-threatening affliction or other critical medical condition may, at the time of retiring under this subchapter, elect annuity benefits under this section instead of any other benefits under this subchapter, and any benefits under subchapter IV of this chapter, based on the service of the employee or Member.
(b) Subject to subsection (c), the Office shall by regulation provide for such alternative forms of annuities as the Office considers appropriate, except that among the alternatives offered shall be—
(1) an alternative which provides for—
(A) payment of the lump-sum credit (excluding interest) to the employee or Member; and
(B) payment of an annuity to the employee or Member for life; and
(2) in the case of an employee or Member who is married at the time of retirement, an alternative which provides for—
(A) payment of the lump-sum credit (excluding interest) to the employee or Member; and
(B) payment of an annuity to the employee or Member for life, with a survivor annuity payable for the life of a surviving spouse.
(c) Each alternative provided for under subsection (b) shall, to the extent practicable, be designed such that the present value of the benefits provided under such alternative (including any lump-sum credit) is actuarially equivalent to the sum of—
(1) the present value of the annuity which would otherwise be provided under this subchapter, as computed under section 8415; and
(2) the present value of the annuity supplement which would otherwise be provided (if any) under section 8421.
(d) An employee or Member who, at the time of retiring under this subchapter—
(1) is married, shall be ineligible to make an election under this section unless a waiver is made under section 8416(a); or
(2) has a former spouse, shall be ineligible to make an election under this section if the former spouse is entitled to benefits under section 8445 or 8467 (based on the service of the employee or Member) under the terms of a decree of divorce or annulment, or a court order or court-approved property settlement incident to any such decree, with respect to which the Office has been duly notified.
(e) An employee or Member who is married at the time of retiring under this subchapter and who makes an election under this section may, during the 18-month period beginning on the date of retirement, make the election provided for under section 8416(d), subject to the deposit requirement thereunder.
(Added Pub. L. 99–335, title I, § 101(a), June 6, 1986, 100 Stat. 532; amended Pub. L. 101–508, title VII, § 7001(a)(1), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–327; Pub. L. 103–66, title XI, § 11002(a), Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 409.)

CITE AS: 5 USC 8420a

§ 8421. Annuity supplement
(a)
(1) Subject to paragraph (3), an individual shall, if and while entitled to an annuity under subsection (a), (b), (d)(1), or (e) of section 8412, or under section 8414(c), also be entitled to an annuity supplement under this section.
(2) Subject to paragraph (3), an individual shall, if and while entitled to an annuity under section 8412(f), or under subsection (a) or (b) of section 8414, also be entitled to an annuity supplement under this section if such individual is at least the applicable minimum retirement age under section 8412(h).
(3)
(A) An individual whose entitlement to an annuity under section 8412 or 8414 does not commence before age 62 is not entitled to an annuity supplement under this section.
(B) An individual entitled to an annuity supplement under this section ceases to be so entitled after the last day of the month preceding the first month for which such individual would, on proper application, be entitled to old-age insurance benefits under title II of the Social Security Act, but not later than the last day of the month in which such individual attains age 62.
(b)
(1) The amount of the annuity supplement of an annuitant under this section for any month shall be equal to the product of—
(A) an amount determined under paragraph (2), multiplied by
(B) a fraction, as described in paragraph (3).
(2) The amount under this paragraph for an annuitant is an amount equal to the old-age insurance benefit which would be payable to such annuitant under title II of the Social Security Act (without regard to sections 203, 215(a)(7), and 215(d)(5) of such Act) upon attaining age 62 and filing application therefor, determined as if the annuitant had attained such age and filed application therefor, and were a fully insured individual (as defined in section 214(a) of such Act), on January 1 of the year in which such annuitant’s entitlement to any payment under this section commences, except that the reduction of such old-age insurance benefit under section 202(q) of such Act shall be the maximum applicable for an individual born in the same year as the annuitant. In computing the primary insurance amount under section 215 of such Act for purposes of this paragraph, the number of elapsed years (referred to in section 215(b)(2)(B)(iii) of such Act and used to compute the number of benefit computation years) shall not include years beginning with the year in which such annuitant’s entitlement to any payment under this section commences, and—
(A) only basic pay for service performed (if any) shall be taken into account in computing the total wages and self-employment income of the annuitant for a benefit computation year;
(B) for a benefit computation year which commences after the date of the separation with respect to which entitlement to the annuitant’s annuity under this subchapter is based and before the date as of which such annuitant is treated, under the preceding sentence, to have attained age 62, the total wages and self-employment income of such annuitant for such year shall be deemed to be zero; and
(C) for a benefit computation year after age 21 which precedes the separation referred to in subparagraph (B), and during which the individual did not perform a full year of service, the total wages and self-employment income of such annuitant for such year shall be deemed to have been an amount equal to the product of—
(i) the average total wages of all workers for that year, multiplied by
(ii) a fraction—(I) the numerator of which is the total basic pay of the individual for service performed in the first year thereafter in which such individual performed a full year of service; and(II) the denominator of which is the average total wages of all workers for the year referred to in subclause (I).
(3) The fraction under this paragraph for any annuitant is a fraction—
(A) the numerator of which is the annuitant’s total years of service (rounding a fraction to the nearest whole number, with ½ being rounded to the next higher number), not to exceed the number under subparagraph (B); and
(B) the denominator of which is 40.
(4) For the purpose of this subsection—
(A) the term “benefit computation year” has the meaning provided in section 215(b)(2)(B)(i) of the Social Security Act;
(B) the term “average total wages of all workers”, for a year, means the average of the total wages, as defined and computed under section 215(b)(3)(A)(ii)(I) of the Social Security Act for such year; and
(C) the term “service” does not include military service.
(c) An amount under this section shall, for purposes of section 8467, be treated in the same way as an amount computed under section 8415.
(Added Pub. L. 99–335, title I, § 101(a), June 6, 1986, 100 Stat. 533; amended Pub. L. 101–194, title V, § 506(b)(10), Nov. 30, 1989, 103 Stat. 1759; Pub. L. 102–378, § 2(65), Oct. 2, 1992, 106 Stat. 1354; Pub. L. 107–296, title XIII, § 1321(a)(5)(B), Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2297; Pub. L. 117–225, § 3(b)(2)(A)(iii), Dec. 9, 2022, 136 Stat. 2295.)

CITE AS: 5 USC 8421

§ 8421a. Reductions on account of earnings from work performed while entitled to an annuity supplement
(a) Except as provided in subsection (c), the amount of the annuity supplement to which an individual is entitled under section 8421 for any month (determined without regard to subsection (c) of such section) shall be reduced by the amount of any excess earnings of such individual which are required to be charged to such supplement for such month, as determined under subsection (b).
(b) The amount of an individual’s excess earnings shall be charged to months as follows:
(1)
(A) There shall be charged to each month of a year under subsection (a) an amount equal to the individual’s excess earnings (as determined under paragraph (2) with respect to such year), divided by the number of the individual’s supplement entitlement months for such year (as determined under paragraph (3)).
(B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), the amount charged to a month under subsection (a) may not exceed the amount of the annuity supplement to which the individual is entitled under section 8421 for such month (determined without regard to subsection (c) of such section).
(2) The excess earnings based on which reductions under subsection (a) shall be made with respect to an individual in a year—
(A) shall be equal to 50 percent of so much of such individual’s earnings for the immediately preceding year as exceeds the applicable exempt amount for such preceding year; but
(B) may not exceed the total amount of the annuity supplement payments to which such individual was entitled for such preceding year under section 8421 (determined without regard to subsection (c) of such section, and without regard to this section).
(3)
(A) Subject to subparagraph (B), the number of an individual’s supplement entitlement months for a year shall be 12.
(B) The number determined under subparagraph (A) shall be reduced so as not to include any month after which such individual ceases to be entitled to an annuity supplement by reason of section 8421(a)(3)(B), relating to cessation of entitlement upon attaining age 62.
(4)
(A) For purposes of this section, and except as provided in subparagraph (B), the “earnings” and the “applicable exempt amount” of an individual shall be determined in a manner consistent with applicable provisions of section 203 of the Social Security Act.
(B) For purposes of this section—
(i) in determining the excess earnings of any individual, only earnings attributable to periods during which such individual was entitled to an annuity supplement under section 8421 shall be considered; and
(ii) any earnings attributable to a period before attaining the applicable retirement age under section 8412(h) shall not be considered in determining the excess earnings of an individual who retires under section 8412(d)(1) or (e), or section 8414(c).
(5) Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) through (4), the reduction required by subsection (a) shall be effective with respect to the annuity supplement payable for each month in the 12-month period beginning on the first day of the seventh month after the end of the calendar year in which the excess earnings were earned.
(c) This section shall not apply to an individual described in section 8412(e) during any period in which the individual, after separating from the service as described in that section, is employed as an—
(1) air traffic control instructor, or supervisor thereof, under contract with the Federal Aviation Administration, including an instructor or supervisor working at an on-site facility (such as an airport); or
(2) air traffic controller pursuant to a contract made with the Secretary of Transportation under section 47124 of title 49.
(d) The Office shall prescribe regulations under which this section shall be applied in the case of a reemployed annuitant.
(Added Pub. L. 99–335, title I, § 101(a), June 6, 1986, 100 Stat. 535; amended Pub. L. 99–556, title I, § 121, Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3134; Pub. L. 106–394, § 3(a), Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1630; Pub. L. 114–251, § 1, Dec. 8, 2016, 130 Stat. 1002; Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title VI, § 608, Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1425; Pub. L. 117–225, § 3(b)(2)(A)(iv), Dec. 9, 2022, 136 Stat. 2296; Pub. L. 117–328, div. Y, § 102, Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5523.)

CITE AS: 5 USC 8421a

§ 8422. Deductions from pay; contributions for other service; deposits
(a)
(1) The employing agency shall deduct and withhold from basic pay of each employee and Member a percentage of basic pay determined in accordance with paragraph (2).
(2) The percentage to be deducted and withheld from basic pay for any pay period shall be equal to—
(A) the applicable percentage under paragraph (3), minus
(B) the percentage then in effect under section 3101(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to rate of tax for old-age, survivors, and disability insurance).
(3)
(A) The applicable percentage under this paragraph for civilian service by employees or Members other than revised annuity employees or further revised annuity employees shall be as follows:

Employee

7

January 1, 1987, to December 31, 1998.

7.25

January 1, 1999, to December 31, 1999.

7.4

January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2000.

7

After December 31, 2000.

Congressional employee

7.5

January 1, 1987, to December 31, 1998.

7.75

January 1, 1999, to December 31, 1999.

7.9

January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2000.

7.5

After December 31, 2000.

Member

7.5

January 1, 1987, to December 31, 1998.

7.75

January 1, 1999, to December 31, 1999.

7.9

January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2000.

8

January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2002.

7.5

After December 31, 2002.

Law enforcement officer, firefighter, member of the Capitol Police, member of the Supreme Court Police, or air traffic controller

7.5

7.75

7.9

7.5

January 1, 1987, to December 31, 1998.

January 1, 1999, to December 31, 1999.

January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2000.

After December 31, 2000.

Nuclear materials courier

7

January 1, 1987, to October 16, 1998.

7.5

October 17, 1998, to December 31, 1998.

7.75

January 1, 1999, to December 31, 1999.

7.9

January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2000.

7.5

After December 31, 2000.

Customs and border protection officer

7.5

After June 29, 2008.

(B) The applicable percentage under this paragraph for civilian service by revised annuity employees shall be as follows:

Employee

9.3

After December 31, 2012.

Congressional employee

9.3

After December 31, 2012.

Member

9.3

After December 31, 2012.

Law enforcement officer, firefighter, member of the Capitol Police, member of the Supreme Court Police, or air traffic controller

9.8

After

(C) The applicable percentage under this paragraph for civilian service by further revised annuity employees shall be as follows:

Employee

10.6

After December 31, 2013.

Congressional employee

10.6

After December 31, 2013.

Member

10.6

After December 31, 2013.

Law enforcement officer, firefighter, member of the Capitol Police, member of the Supreme Court Police, or air traffic controller

11.1

After December 31, 2013.

Nuclear materials courier

11.1

After December 31, 2013.

Customs and border protection officer

11.1

After December 31, 2013.

(b) Each employee or Member is deemed to consent and agree to the deductions under subsection (a). Notwithstanding any law or regulation affecting the pay of an employee or Member, payment less such deductions is a full and complete discharge and acquittance of all claims and demands for regular services during the period covered by the payment, except the right to any benefits under this subchapter, or under subchapter IV or V of this chapter, based on the service of the employee or Member.
(c) The amounts deducted and withheld under this section shall be deposited in the Treasury of the United States to the credit of the Fund under such procedures as the Secretary of the Treasury may prescribe. Deposits made by an employee, Member, or survivor also shall be credited to the Fund.
(d)
(1) Under such regulations as the Office may prescribe, amounts deducted under subsection (a) shall be entered on individual retirement records.
(2) Deposit may not be required for days of unused sick leave credited under paragraph (1) or (2) of section 8415(m).
(e)
(1)
(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), and subject to paragraph (6), each employee or Member who has performed military service before the date of the separation on which the entitlement to any annuity under this subchapter, or subchapter V of this chapter, is based may pay, in accordance with such regulations as the Office shall issue, to the agency by which the employee is employed, or, in the case of a Member or a Congressional employee, to the Secretary of the Senate or the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives, as appropriate, an amount equal to 3 percent of the amount of the basic pay paid under section 204 of title 37 to the employee or Member for each period of military service after December 1956. The amount of such payments shall be based on such evidence of basic pay for military service as the employee or Member may provide, or if the Office determines sufficient evidence has not been so provided to adequately determine basic pay for military service, such payment shall be based on estimates of such basic pay provided to the Office under paragraph (4).
(B) In any case where military service interrupts creditable civilian service under this subchapter and reemployment pursuant to chapter 43 of title 38 occurs on or after August 1, 1990, the deposit payable under this paragraph may not exceed the amount that would have been deducted and withheld under subsection (a)(1) from basic pay during civilian service if the employee had not performed the period of military service.
(2) Any deposit made under paragraph (1) more than two years after the later of—
(A)January 1, 1987; or
(B) the date on which the employee or Member making the deposit first becomes an employee or Member following the period of military service for which such deposit is due,
shall include interest on such amount computed and compounded annually beginning on the date of the expiration of the two-year period. The interest rate that is applicable in computing interest in any year under this paragraph shall be equal to the interest rate that is applicable for such year under section 8334(e).
(3) Any payment received by an agency, the Secretary of the Senate, or the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives under this subsection shall be immediately remitted to the Office for deposit in the Treasury of the United States to the credit of the Fund.
(4) The Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Transportation, the Secretary of Commerce, or the Secretary of Health and Human Services, as appropriate, shall furnish such information to the Office as the Office may determine to be necessary for the administration of this subsection.
(5) For the purpose of survivor annuities, deposits authorized by this subsection may also be made by a survivor of an employee or Member.
(6) The percentage of basic pay under section 204 of title 37 payable under paragraph (1), with respect to any period of military service performed during—
(A)January 1, 1999, through December 31, 1999, shall be 3.25 percent; and
(B)January 1, 2000, through December 31, 2000, shall be 3.4 percent.
(7)
(A) In calculating and processing the deposit under paragraph (1) with respect to an employee, Member, or annuitant, if the employing agency of such employee, Member, or annuitant makes an administrative error, such employing agency may pay, on behalf of the employee, Member, or annuitant, any additional interest assessed due to the administrative error.
(B) For purposes of subparagraph (A), the Secretary of the Senate or the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives, as appropriate, shall be considered the employing agency of a Member or Congressional employee.
(C) The Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall issue such regulations as are necessary to carry out this paragraph.
(f)
(1) Each employee or Member who has performed service as a volunteer or volunteer leader under part A of title VIII of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, as a full-time volunteer enrolled in a program of at least 1 year’s duration under part A, B,1
1 See References in Text note below.
or C of title I of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973, or as a volunteer or volunteer leader under the Peace Corps Act before the date of the separation on which the entitlement to any annuity under this subchapter, or subchapter V of this chapter, is based may pay, in accordance with such regulations as the Office of Personnel Management shall issue, an amount equal to 3 percent of the readjustment allowance paid to the employee or Member under title VIII of the Economic Opportunity Service Act of 1964 or section 5(c) or 6(1) of the Peace Corps Act or the stipend paid to the employee or Member under part A, B,1 or C of title I of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973, for each period of service as such a volunteer or volunteer leader. This paragraph shall be subject to paragraph (4).
(2) Any deposit made under paragraph (1) more than 2 years after the later of—
(A)October 1, 1993, or
(B) the date on which the employee or Member making the deposit first becomes an employee or Member,
shall include interest on such amount computed and compounded annually beginning on the date of the expiration of the 2-year period. The interest rate that is applicable in computing interest in any year under this paragraph shall be equal to the interest rate that is applicable for such year under section 8334(e).
(3) The Director of the Peace Corps and the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation for National and Community Service shall furnish such information to the Office of Personnel Management as the Office may determine to be necessary for the administration of this subsection.
(4) The percentage of the readjustment allowance or stipend (as the case may be) payable under paragraph (1), with respect to any period of volunteer service performed during—
(A)January 1, 1999, through December 31, 1999, shall be 3.25 percent; and
(B)January 1, 2000, through December 31, 2000, shall be 3.4 percent.
(5)
(A) In calculating and processing the deposit under paragraph (1) with respect to an employee, Member, or annuitant, if an employing agency of such employee, Member, or annuitant makes an administrative error that causes additional interest assessed to accrue on the deposit, the employee, Member, or annuitant’s employing agency may pay, on behalf of the employee, Member, or annuitant, any additional interest assessed due to the administrative error.
(B) In calculating and processing the deposit under paragraph (1) with respect to an employee, Member, or annuitant, if the Office of Personnel Management makes an administrative error that causes additional interest assessed to accrue on the deposit, the Office of Personnel Management may pay, on behalf of the employee, Member, or annuitant, any additional interest assessed due to the administrative error.
(C) For purposes of subparagraph (A), the Secretary of the Senate or the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives, as appropriate, shall be considered the employing agency of a Member or congressional employee.
(D) The Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall issue such regulations as are necessary to carry out this paragraph.
(g) A Member who has served in a position in the executive branch for which the rate of basic pay was reduced for the duration of the service of the Member to remove the impediment to the appointment of the Member imposed by article I, section 6, clause 2 of the Constitution, or the survivor of such a Member, may deposit to the credit of the Fund an amount equal to the difference between the amount deducted from the basic pay of the Member during that period of service and the amount that would have been deducted if the rate of basic pay which would otherwise have been in effect during that period had been in effect, plus interest computed under section 8334(e).
(h) No deposit may be made with respect to service credited under section 8411(b)(6).
(i)
(1) Each employee or Member who has received a refund of retirement deductions under this or any other retirement system established for employees of the Government covering service for which such employee or Member may be allowed credit under this chapter may deposit the amount received, with interest. Credit may not be allowed for the service covered by the refund until the deposit is made.
(2) Interest under this subsection shall be computed in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (3) of section 8334(e) and regulations prescribed by the Office. The option under the third sentence of section 8334(e)(2) to make a deposit in one or more installments shall apply to deposits under this subsection.
(3) For the purpose of survivor annuities, deposits authorized by this subsection may also be made by a survivor of an employee or Member.
(Added Pub. L. 99–335, title I, § 101(a), June 6, 1986, 100 Stat. 536; amended Pub. L. 100–238, title I, § 104(a), Jan. 8, 1988, 101 Stat. 1746; Pub. L. 103–82, title III, § 371(b)(2), Sept. 21, 1993, 107 Stat. 911; Pub. L. 103–353, § 5(d), (e)(2), Oct. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 3174; Pub. L. 104–186, title II, § 215(14), Aug. 20, 1996, 110 Stat. 1746; Pub. L. 104–316, title I, § 103(g), Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat. 3829; Pub. L. 105–33, title VII, § 7001(b)(1), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 657; Pub. L. 105–61, title V, § 516(a)(8), Oct. 10, 1997, 111 Stat. 1307; Pub. L. 105–261, div. C, title XXXI, § 3154(i)(1), Oct. 17, 1998, 112 Stat. 2255; Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title X, § 1066(d)(3), Oct. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 773; Pub. L. 106–346, § 101(a) [title V, § 505(b)], Oct. 23, 2000, 114 Stat. 1356, 1356A–52; Pub. L. 106–553, § 1(a)(2) [title III, § 308(c)(3)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2762, 2762A–87; Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title XI, § 1132(b)(2)(A), (B), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1243, 1244; Pub. L. 107–135, title I, § 122(b), Jan. 23, 2002, 115 Stat. 2451; Pub. L. 108–92, § 1(b), Oct. 3, 2003, 117 Stat. 1160; Pub. L. 108–176, title II, § 226(b)(2)(A), Dec. 12, 2003, 117 Stat. 2530; Pub. L. 110–161, div. E, title V, § 535(b)(4), Dec. 26, 2007, 121 Stat. 2076; Pub. L. 111–84, div. A, title XIX, §§ 1901(b), 1904(a), (b)(2), (3)(A), Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2615, 2616; Pub. L. 112–96, title V, § 5001(b), (c)(2)(A), Feb. 22, 2012, 126 Stat. 199; Pub. L. 113–67, div. A, title IV, § 401(b), Dec. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 1184; Pub. L. 115–352, §§ 2(b), 3(b), Dec. 21, 2018, 132 Stat. 5067, 5068.)

CITE AS: 5 USC 8422

§ 8423. Government contributions
(a)
(1) Each employing agency having any employees or Members subject to section 8422(a) shall contribute to the Fund an amount equal to the sum of—
(A) the product of—
(i) the normal-cost percentage, as determined for employees (other than employees covered by subparagraph (B)), multiplied by
(ii) the aggregate amount of basic pay payable by the agency, for the period involved, to employees (under clause (i)) who are within such agency; and
(B) the product of—
(i) the normal-cost percentage, as determined for Members, Congressional employees (including a separate normal-cost percentage for Congressional employees that are members of the Capitol Police covered under subsection (d) of section 8412 and subsection (c) of section 8425), law enforcement officers, members of the Supreme Court Police, firefighters, nuclear materials couriers, customs and border protection officers, air traffic controllers, military reserve technicians, and employees under sections 302 and 303 of the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement Act, multiplied by
(ii) the aggregate amount of basic pay payable by the agency, for the period involved, to employees and Members (under clause (i)) who are within such agency.
(2)
(A) In determining any normal-cost percentage to be applied under this subsection, amounts provided for under section 8422 shall be taken into account.
(B)
(i) Subject to clauses (ii) and (iii), for purposes of any period in any year beginning after December 31, 2013, the normal-cost percentage under this subsection shall be determined and applied as if section 401(b) of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 had not been enacted.
(ii) Any contributions under this subsection in excess of the amounts which (but for clause (i)) would otherwise have been payable shall be applied toward reducing the unfunded liability of the Civil Service Retirement System.
(iii) After the unfunded liability of the Civil Service Retirement System has been eliminated, as determined by the Office, Government contributions under this subsection shall be determined and made disregarding this subparagraph.
(iv) The preceding provisions of this subparagraph shall be disregarded for purposes of determining the contributions payable by the United States Postal Service and the Postal Regulatory Commission.
(3) Contributions under this subsection shall be paid—
(A) in the case of law enforcement officers, members of the Supreme Court Police, firefighters, nuclear materials couriers, customs and border protection officers, air traffic controllers, military reserve technicians, and other employees, from the appropriation or fund used to pay such law enforcement officers, members of the Supreme Court Police, firefighters, nuclear materials couriers, customs and border protection officers, air traffic controllers, military reserve technicians, or other employees, respectively;
(B) in the case of elected officials, from an appropriation or fund available for payment of other salaries of the same office or establishment; and
(C) in the case of employees of the legislative branch paid by the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives, from the applicable accounts of the House of Representatives.
(4) A contribution to the Fund under this subsection shall be deposited under such procedures as the Comptroller General of the United States may prescribe.
(b)
(1) The Office shall compute—
(A) the amount of the supplemental liability of the Fund with respect to individuals other than those to whom subparagraph (B) relates, and
(B) the amount of the supplemental liability of the Fund with respect to current or former employees of the United States Postal Service (and the Postal Regulatory Commission) and their survivors;
as of the close of each fiscal year beginning after September 30, 1987.
(2) The amount of any supplemental liability computed under paragraph (1)(A) or (1)(B) shall be amortized in 30 equal annual installments, with interest computed at the rate used in the most recent valuation of the System.
(3) At the end of each fiscal year, the Office shall notify—
(A) the Secretary of the Treasury of the amount of the installment computed under this subsection for such year with respect to individuals under paragraph (1)(A); and
(B) the Postmaster General of the United States of the amount of the installment computed under this subsection for such year with respect to individuals under paragraph (1)(B).
(4)
(A) Before closing the accounts for a fiscal year, the Secretary of the Treasury shall credit to the Fund, as a Government contribution, out of any money in the Treasury of the United States not otherwise appropriated, the amount under paragraph (3)(A) for such year.
(B) Upon receiving notification under paragraph (3)(B), the United States Postal Service shall pay the amount specified in such notification to the Fund.
(5) For the purpose of carrying out paragraph (1) with respect to any fiscal year, the Office may—
(A) require the Board of Actuaries of the Civil Service Retirement System to make actuarial determinations and valuations, make recommendations, and maintain records in the same manner as provided in section 8347(f); and
(B) use the latest actuarial determinations and valuations made by such Board of Actuaries.
(c) Under regulations prescribed by the Office, the head of an agency may request reconsideration of any amount determined to be payable with respect to such agency under subsection (a) or (b). Any such request shall be referred to the Board of Actuaries of the Civil Service Retirement System. The Board of Actuaries shall review the computations of the Office and may make any adjustment with respect to any such amount which the Board determines appropriate. A determination by the Board of Actuaries under this subsection shall be final.
(Added Pub. L. 99–335, title I, § 101(a), June 6, 1986, 100 Stat. 537; amended Pub. L. 102–378, § 2(66), Oct. 2, 1992, 106 Stat. 1354; Pub. L. 102–496, title VIII, § 803(c), Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3253; Pub. L. 104–186, title II, § 215(15), Aug. 20, 1996,

CITE AS: 5 USC 8423

§ 8424. Lump-sum benefits; designation of beneficiary; order of precedence
(a) Subject to subsection (b), an employee or Member who—
(1)
(A) is separated from the service for at least 31 consecutive days; or
(B) is transferred to a position in which the individual is not subject to this chapter and remains in such a position for at least 31 consecutive days;
(2) files an application with the Office for payment of the lump-sum credit;
(3) is not reemployed in a position in which the individual is subject to this chapter at the time of filing the application; and
(4) will not become eligible to receive an annuity within 31 days after filing the application;
is entitled to be paid the lump-sum credit. Except as provided in section 8420a, payment of the lump-sum credit to an employee or Member voids all annuity rights under this subchapter, and subchapters IV and V of this chapter, based on the service on which the lump-sum credit is based, until the employee or Member is reemployed in the service subject to this chapter.
(b)
(1)
(A) Payment of the lump-sum credit under subsection (a) may be made only if the spouse, if any, and any former spouse of the employee or Member are notified of the employee or Member’s application.
(B) The Office shall prescribe regulations under which the lump-sum credit shall not be paid without the consent of a spouse or former spouse of the employee or Member where the Office has received such additional information or documentation as the Office may require that—
(i) a court order bars payment of the lump-sum credit in order to preserve the court’s ability to award an annuity under section 8445 or 8467; or
(ii) payment of the lump-sum credit would extinguish the entitlement of the spouse or former spouse, under a court order on file with the Office, to a survivor annuity under section 8445 or to any portion of an annuity under section 8467.
(2)
(A) Notification of a spouse or former spouse under this subsection shall be made in accordance with such requirements as the Office shall by regulation prescribe.
(B) Under the regulations, the Office may provide that paragraph (1)(A) may be waived with respect to a spouse or former spouse if the employee or Member establishes to the satisfaction of the Office that the whereabouts of such spouse or former spouse cannot be determined.
(3) The Office shall prescribe regulations under which this subsection shall be applied in any case in which the Office receives two or more orders or decrees referred to in paragraph (1)(B)(i).
(c) Under regulations prescribed by the Office, an employee or Member, or a former employee or Member, may designate one or more beneficiaries under this section.
(d) Lump-sum benefits authorized by subsections (e) through (g) shall be paid to the individual or individuals surviving the employee or Member and alive at the date title to the payment arises in the following order of precedence, and the payment bars recovery by any other individual:

First, to the beneficiary or beneficiaries designated by the employee or Member in a signed and witnessed writing received in the Office before the death of such employee or Member. For this purpose, a designation, change, or cancellation of beneficiary in a will or other document not so executed and filed has no force or effect.

Second, if there is no designated beneficiary, to the widow or widower of the employee or Member.

Third, if none of the above, to the child or children of the employee or Member and descendants of deceased children by representation.

Fourth, if none of the above, to the parents of the employee or Member or the survivor of them.

Fifth, if none of the above, to the duly appointed executor or administrator of the estate of the employee or Member.

Sixth, if none of the above, to such other next of kin of the employee or Member as the Office determines to be entitled under the laws of the domicile of the employee or Member at the date of death of the employee or Member.

For the purpose of this subsection, “child” includes a natural child and an adopted child, but does not include a stepchild.
For the purpose of this subsection, “child” includes a natural child and an adopted child, but does not include a stepchild.
(e) If an employee or Member, or former employee or Member, dies—
(1) without a survivor, or
(2) with a survivor or survivors and the right of all survivors under subchapter IV terminates before a claim for survivor annuity under such subchapter is filed,
the lump-sum credit shall be paid.
(f) If all annuity rights under this chapter (other than under subchapter III of this chapter) based on the service of a deceased employee or Member terminate before the total annuity paid equals the lump-sum credit, the difference shall be paid.
(g) If an annuitant dies, annuity accrued and unpaid shall be paid.
(h) Annuity accrued and unpaid on the termination, except by death, of the annuity of an annuitant or survivor shall be paid to that individual. Annuity accrued and unpaid on the death of a survivor shall be paid in the following order of precedence, and the payment bars recovery by any other person:

First, to the duly appointed executor or administrator of the estate of the survivor.

Second, if there is no executor or administrator, payment may be made, after 30 days from the date of death of the survivor, to such next of kin of the survivor as the Office determines to be entitled under the laws of the domicile of the survivor at the date of death.

(Added Pub. L. 99–335, title I, § 101(a), June 6, 1986, 100 Stat. 539; amended Pub. L. 106–361, § 3(b), Oct. 27, 2000, 114 Stat. 1402; Pub. L. 111–84, div. A, title XIX, § 1904(b)(4), Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2617.)

CITE AS: 5 USC 8424

§ 8425. Mandatory separation
(a) An air traffic controller who is otherwise eligible for immediate retirement under section 8412(e) shall be separated from the service on the last day of the month in which that air traffic controller becomes 56 years of age or completes 20 years of service if then over that age. The Secretary, under such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, may exempt a controller having exceptional skills and experience as a controller from the automatic separation provisions of this subsection until that controller becomes 61 years of age. The Secretary shall notify the controller in writing of the date of separation at least 60 days before that date. Action to separate the controller is not effective, without the consent of the controller, until the last day of the month in which the 60-day notice expires. For purposes of this subsection, the term “air traffic controller” or “controller” has the meaning given to it under section 8401(35)(A).
(b)
(1) A law enforcement officer, firefighter, nuclear materials courier, or customs and border protection officer who is otherwise eligible for immediate retirement under section 8412(d)(1) shall be separated from the service on the last day of the month in which that law enforcement officer, firefighter, nuclear materials courier, or customs and border protection officer 1
1 So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.
as the case may be, becomes 57 years of age or completes 20 years of service if then over that age. If the head of the agency judges that the public interest so requires, that agency head may exempt such an employee from automatic separation under this subsection until that employee becomes 60 years of age. The employing office shall notify the employee in writing of the date of separation at least 60 days before that date. Action to separate the employee is not effective, without the consent of the employee, until the last day of the month in which the 60-day notice expires.
(2) In the case of employees of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the second sentence of paragraph (1) shall be applied by substituting “65 years of age” for “60 years of age”. The authority to grant exemptions in accordance with the preceding sentence shall cease to be available after December 31, 2011.
(c) A member of the Capitol Police who is otherwise eligible for immediate retirement under section 8412(d)(1) shall be separated from the service on the last day of the month in which such member becomes 57 years of age or completes 20 years of service if then over that age. The Capitol Police Board, when in its judgment the public interest so requires, may exempt such a member from automatic separation under this subsection until that member becomes 60 years of age. The Board shall notify the member in writing of the date of separation at least 60 days before that date. Action to separate the member is not effective, without the consent of the member, until the last day of the month in which the 60-day notice expires.
(d) A member of the Supreme Court Police who is otherwise eligible for immediate retirement under section 8412(d)(1) shall be separated from the service on the last day of the month in which such member becomes 57 years of age or completes 20 years of service if then over that age. The Marshal of the Supreme Court of the United States, when in his judgment the public interest so requires, may exempt such a member from automatic separation under this subsection until that member becomes 60 years of age. The Marshal shall notify the member in writing of the date of separation at least 60 days before the date. Action to separate the member is not effective, without the consent of the member, until the last day of the month in which the 60-day notice expires.
(e) The President, by Executive order, may exempt an employee (other than a member of the Capitol Police or Supreme Court Police) from automatic separation under this section if the President determines the public interest so requires.
(Added Pub. L. 99–335, title I, § 101(a), June 6, 1986, 100 Stat. 540; amended Pub. L. 101–428, § 3(b)(1)(A), (2), Oct. 15, 1990, 104 Stat. 929, 930; Pub. L. 101–509, title V, § 529 [title IV, § 409(b)], Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1427, 1468; Pub. L. 102–378, § 2(67), Oct. 2, 1992, 106 Stat. 1354; Pub. L. 103–283, title III, § 307(b)(1), July 22, 1994, 108 Stat. 1441; Pub. L. 105–261, div. C, title XXXI, § 3154(k), Oct. 17, 1998, 112 Stat. 2256; Pub. L. 106–553, § 1(a)(2) [title III, § 308(c)(5)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2762, 2762A–87; Pub. L. 107–27, § 2(b), Aug. 20, 2001, 115 Stat. 207; Pub. L. 108–176, title II, § 226(a)(3)(B), Dec. 12, 2003, 117 Stat. 2529; Pub. L. 108–447, div. B, title I, § 112(b), Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat. 2868; Pub. L. 108–458, title II, § 2005(b), Dec. 17, 2004, 118 Stat. 3704; Pub. L. 110–161, div. E, title V, § 535(b)(6), Dec. 26, 2007, 121 Stat. 2076; Pub. L. 111–259, title IV, § 444(b), Oct. 7, 2010, 124 Stat. 2733; Pub. L. 117–225, § 3(b)(2)(A)(v), Dec. 9, 2022, 136 Stat. 2296.)

CITE AS: 5 USC 8425