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Optional CSRS Retirement

Optional retirement is the most common type of CSRS retirement.

When you take CSRS Optional Retirement - your retirement takes effect 30 days after you stop working for the Federal Government.

To learn more about your CSRS benefits and to see how your CSRS annuity will be calculated, see our main CSRS page.

CSRS Optional Retirement Qualifications

You are eligible for Optional Retirement if you are…
  • At least 55 years old with 30 years of creditable service
  • At least 60 years old with 20 years of creditable service
  • At least 62 years old with 5 years of creditable service
You must also have served at least one of your last two years as a CSRS.

If you do separate from service before you meet these requirements, you may be eligible for CSRS Deferred Retirement.

When Do I Get My Retirement Check?

Even though your retirement becomes effective 30 days after you stop working - your Federal pension check may take a lot longer to arrive.

Find out how long you may have to wait for your first Federal Pension check.

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We want to be the first place you turn to when you have questions about your Federal Retirement benefits.

If you're looking for more information on a Federal Retirement topic - please let us know by suggesting a topic.


Return from CSRS Optional Retirement to CSRS Retirement




Micah Shilanski - Financial Planner for Federal Employees


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