Federal Employee Retirement Resources

Federal Employee Retirement Resources

The federal government makes available a significant amount of federal retirement benefit resources for current and former employees along with their families and surviving spouses.  There are also other organizations that  make available other retirement-related information for these same federal and postal employees so you are able to prepare for your retirement with the most accurate and timely information available. A partial list of these resources is available below.

Government Handbooks

FERS and CSRS Personnel Handbook. 

This handbook is available for federal agencies and employees regarding the various aspects of retirement benefits. https://www.opm.gov/retirement-services/publications-forms/csrsfers-handbook/

FEHB Handbook.

The FEHB handbook is a detailed accounting of the FEHB Program for both agency officials and eligible employees. https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/reference-materials/#url=FEHB-Handbook

FEGLI Handbook.

https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/life-insurance/reference-materials/publications-forms/fegli-handbook/ The FEGLI handbook provides federal employees information on their FEGLI (Federal Employees Group Life Insurance) benefits and the FEGLI Program itself.

FERS Transfer Handbook.

The FERS Transfer Handbook provides information regarding the transfer from CSRS to the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). https://www.opm.gov/retirement-services/benefits-officers-center/fers-election-options/#url=Transfer-Handbook

Social Security Handbook

The Social Security handbook is the official handbook regarding Social Security Benefits, made available by Social Security Administration website. http://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/handbook.html.

Federal Retiree Pamphlets and Forms

Guides to Federal Benefits.

The OPM makes available these guides to provide a summary of information on Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB), Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Programs (FEDVIP) and others.  https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/reference-materials/

FEGLI (Life Insurance) Publications. 

FEGLI publications and FEGLI pamphlets that relate to the Federal Employees Group Life Insurance benefits, program and eligibility. https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/life-insurance/reference-materials/#url=Publications-and-Forms

FEGLI (Life Insurance) OPM Electronic Forms Page. 

FEGLI OPM forms page giving access to numerous electronic forms and templates that may be used for FEGLI benefit information and processes. https://www.opm.gov/forms/

Retirement Counseling and Assistance.  

Local Federal and Postal Retirement Experts are available through www.PSREducators.com

Retirement News and Information. 

www.RetirementPlanningNews.com is known for accurate, timely and widely applicable information regarding retirement planning issues faced by both federal employees and non-federal employees alike.

OPM Retirement Hotlines (OPM Retirement Services)

OPM makes available several telephone hotlines that can assist you in your retirement and benefit decisions.

• (OPM) Office of Personnel Management (Retirement Support Site)
  http://www.opm.gov/retire, E-Mail: [email protected]
• Toll-Free Number: 1-888-767-6738
• Fax requests to 1-724-794-6633

• Direct deposit information is available at http://www.psretirement.com/forms/

• Change of Address
  You can facilitate an address change through OPM through the phone number or website listed above.
• Please have your CSA number handy when you call

Annuity Confirmation for Financial Institutions
For confirmation requested either by a Bank or Mortgage company of your Federal Annuity you must have the fax number of the financial institution available and

call OPM at either 1-888-767-6738 or 202-606-0500 you will be asked for your name and claim number.

OPM will fax the confirmation directly to your financial institution.

Death of an Annuity Recipient

OPM must be informed of a beneficiary’s death. You should contact OPM by email: [email protected] or by telephone at either (888) 767-6738 or (800) 878-5707

Hours of operation are 7:30 A.M. to 7:45 P.M (Eastern Time). http://www.opm.gov/retire/post/survivor/special_notice.asp

For more information please visit: http://www.opm.gov/insure/life/deathclaims/index.asp

Associations, Organizations, and Publications
For Retirees looking for additional information, there are several other organizations and publications available to you.  A few of these organizations are;

AARP – American Association of Retired Persons (www.aarp.org). The AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that provides assistance to people age 50 and older.

ASA – American Seniors Association (http://www.americanseniors.org)  provides seniors with choices, information, and services related to the improvement of their quality of life.

NARFE – National Active & Retired Federal Employees Association (www.narfe.org).  NARFE provides a substantial amount of information to federal and postal employees and retirees. NARFE has roughly 350,000 members that receive access to information through NARFE’s website, monthly magazine, newsletters, the NARFE staff, as well as local NARFE chapters.  Membership to NARFE costs $25 a year.