The Civil Service Retirement Act, which became effective on August 1, 1920, established a retirement system for certain federal employees. It was replaced by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) for federal employees who first entered covered service on and after January 1, 1987. Please note that if you entered the government after this date, you are not eligible for CSRS.
The Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) is a defined benefit, contributory retirement system. Employees share in the expense of the annuities to which they become entitled. CSRS covered employees contribute 7, 7.5, or 8 percent of pay to CSRS and, while they generally pay no Social Security retirement, survivor and disability (OASDI) tax, they must pay the Medicare tax (currently 1.45 percent of pay). The employing agency matches the employee's CSRS contributions.
CSRS employees may increase their earned annuity by contributing up to 10 percent of the basic pay for their creditable service to a voluntary contribution account. Employees may also contribute a portion of pay to the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) up to the annual Internal Revenue Service (IRS) elective deferral limit. There is no government contribution, but the employee contributions are tax-deferred.
CSRS Offset Information
CSRS Offset was created in 1987 and generally applies to employees who had a break in federal service after 1983 that lasted longer than 1 year and had at least 5 years of civilian service as of January 1, 1987. It also applies to employees who were hired into a civilian job before 1984, but did not acquire retirement coverage until after 1984 and had at least 5 years of service as of January 1, 1987.
CSRS Offset employees are covered by both CSRS and Social Security. You earn retirement credit under CSRS, while also earning credits under Social Security. When you retire from the government, your retirement benefit is computed in the same way that CSRS benefits are computed. However, when you become eligible for Social Security benefits (usually at age 62), your CSRS retirement benefit is reduced, or offset, by the value of the Social Security benefit you earned while working for the government.
The amount CSRS Offset employees pay for retirement is the same amount that CSRS employees pay, however it is reduced, or offset, by Social Security taxes (6.2 % of pay). Agencies contribute a set amount (7% for most employees) to CSRS Offset.
Just like CSRS employees, CSRS Offset employees are also allowed to participate in the Thrift Savings Plan and currently may contribute up to the annual without a government contribution.
Learn more about Internal Revenue Service (IRS) elective deferral limit.
Service Requirements for Unreduced Benefits
- Minimum 5 years of creditable civilian service
- Includes all creditable civilian and military service
- Separates from a CSRS covered position
| Types of Retirement | Age | Years of Service |
|---|---|---|
| Optional (Voluntary) | 55 | 30 |
| 60 | 20 | |
| 62 | 5 | |
| Early Out* (Voluntary) | 50 | 20 |
| Any | 25 | |
| Discontinued Service (Voluntary) | 50 | 20 |
| Any | 25 | |
| Disability | Any | 5 |
| Deferred | 62 | 5 |
*Permanent reduction of 2% per year if under age 55
| Form | Form Description | Form Application |
|---|---|---|
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Application for Immediate Retirement |
All employees must complete all sections of SF-2801. You may use the fillable form to enter your information. Then print the form and sign it. |
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Documentation in Support of Disability Retirement Application
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Only employees who are retiring from employment based on a disability must complete this form.
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Continuation of Life Insurance Coverage |
Employees who are covered by Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) must complete this form. |
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Withholding Certificate for Pension or Annuity Payments |
All employees must complete this form for the appropriate tax year. |
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Federal Long-Term Care Insurance (FLTCIP) Billing Change Form |
Employees who are currently enrolled in the FLTCIP who would like OPM to automatically deduct the premium from their annuity payment must complete this form for billing changes and do the following:
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If you were on active duty in the military and received an honorable discharge, your military service is potentially creditable under CSRS.
In 1957, military service became covered by Social Security. Because of this, you may need to make a deposit covering active duty military service after 1956. The deposit is called the post-56 Military Deposit. Making the post-56 Military Deposit allows you to get credit for your post-1956 active-duty military service under both Social Security and CSRS. Active-duty military service performed before 1957 is creditable under CSRS without making a deposit.
If you were first covered by CSRS before October 1, 1982, you may receive credit for your post-1956 active-duty military service without making a deposit. But if you become eligible for Social Security benefits at age 62, or retirement, whichever is later, your retirement annuity will be reduced by eliminating all credit for your post-1956 active-duty military service. If you think you'll be eligible for Social Security at or before age 62, or retirement, it is wise to make the deposit. The deposit is 7 percent of your military earnings, plus interest. Interest begins accruing October 1, 1985, or three years after your retirement coverage begins, whichever is later.
If you were first covered by CSRS after September 30, 1982, you will only receive credit for your active-duty military service if you make the post-56 deposit. The deposit is 7 percent of your military earnings, plus interest. Interest begins accruing October 1, 1985, or three years after your retirement coverage begins, whichever is later.
If you choose not to make the post-56 military deposit when it would otherwise be required, you must submit Form 1515 with your retirement application.
What is Military Deposit?
A military deposit is a payment made to the retirement fund to have the honorable, active military service you performed after December 31, 1956, credited in the computation of your annuity.
Why make a Deposit?
A CBP employee first employed in a position subject to CSRS on or after October 1, 1982, receives credit for title and annuity computation purposes for post-1956 military service only if he or she makes a deposit with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Employees who were first employed under CSRS before October 1, 1982, may receive credit for post-1956 military service without making the deposit. A potential annuity reduction for the post-1956 military service at age 62 may be avoided by making the deposit.
Who can make a Deposit?
As a CSRS/CSRS Offset employee, you may make a deposit for any full period of military service prior to separation from CBP.
If you delay making the military deposit until you separate for retirement, the deposit must be made in full to CBP before the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) completes adjudication of the annuity. The final adjudication of your annuity may be delayed.
How much will it cost?
The amount of the deposit is seven percent of the basic pay earned during the period(s) of service, plus interest.
Interest begins to accrue on deposits for post-1956 military service on October 1, 1985, or two years after the date you are first employed (or reemployed after a period of military service) in a position subject to CSRS.
The interest on deposits for post-1956 military service accrues and compounds annually on your "Interest Accrual Date" (IAD). Because the interest accrual period will not generally coincide with the calendar year, two interest rates may apply. Interest rates are set on a calendar year basis. Visit OPM to see the interest rates. Interest must be computed on the unpaid balance and posted each year on your IAD until the deposit is paid in full. The subsequent interest charges are computed on the deposit balance as of the day before the IAD.
Note: Interest is not charged on deposits for the year they are paid in full as long as it is prior to the IAD.
How to make a Military Service Credit Deposit
- You should obtain a copy of the "Application to Make Deposit or Redeposit," SF-2803, from the CBP Payroll Branch or download the form from the OPM website.
- Complete only the front of the SF-2803. Return it to the CBP Payroll Branch at the address listed below, along with a copy of your DD-214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," or equivalent record to verify your service. If a copy of your DD-214 is not available, you must obtain a copy from the military records center by submitting SF-180, "Request Pertaining to Military Records," to the appropriate address. The address is listed below.
- You must also provide documentation of military basic pay to the CBP Payroll Branch. To obtain this information you must complete RI20-97, "Estimated Earnings During Military Service," and send to the appropriate address. The address is listed below.
- Once your SF-2803 and RI 20-97 have been received, the CBP Payroll Branch will complete OPM Form 1514, "Military Deposit Worksheet," or an equivalent if using an automated process.
- CBP Payroll Branch will notify you of the amount owed, procedures for paying the deposit, and options for making payments.
- All payments must be paid directly to CBP.
- You must make payment(s) as instructed by the CBP Payroll Branch (e.g., personal check, money order, etc.). Payments may be made in a lump sum or installments.
Note: Generally the installment payments must be at least $50.00.
Mailing Address:
National Finance Center
Attn: Payroll Branch
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
8899 E. 56th St.
Indianapolis, IN 46249
For more information, contact the CBP Payroll Branch at 317-298-1305 or by fax at 317-298-1015.
What is Redeposit?
It is a payment to the retirement fund to cover a period of service for which retirement deductions were withheld from your salary and refunded to you after at least a 30-day separation from federal Service.
Who can make a Redeposit?
A redeposit can be made by a current employee covered by CSRS, CSRS Interim, or CSRS Offset; a separated employee eligible for an immediate annuity; a former employee eligible for a deferred annuity; or the spouse/former spouse of a deceased employee entitled to survivor annuity benefits.
Why make a Redeposit?
An unpaid redeposit may affect when you are eligible to retire and how much money you or your survivor receives in annuity payments.
- If you do not make the redeposit for refunded CSRS service performed before October 1, 1990, and retirement benefits are not based on Disability Retirement or Death in Service:
- You receive length-of-service credit for the period of service.
- You receive service credit toward computation of your annuity.
- Your annuity payment, however, is permanently reduced. The reduction to your monthly annuity payment is based on your age at retirement and the amount of the redeposit owed. This is called actuarial reduction.
Note: To compute the amount of actuarial reduction, divide the amount of the redeposit owed (including interest) by the actuarial reduction factor (see Actuarial Reduction Factor Chart on the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) website).
If the redeposit is not made for refunded CSRS service performed on or after October 1, 1990, or if retirement benefits are based on Disability Retirement or Death in Service:
- You receive length of service credit for the period of service.
- You do not receive service credit toward the computation of your annuity.
How much is the interest?
If the application for refund was based on an application received by the OPM before October 1, 1982, interest on the redeposit accrues daily beginning on the date the refund was paid and is charged at the rates shown below (compounded annually):
- 4 percent interest before January 1, 1948.
- 3 percent interest from January 1, 1948 through the date the redeposit is made or to the commencing date of the annuity, whichever is earlier.
If the application for refund was based on an application received by OPM after September 30, 1982, interest is charged on the redeposit, beginning on the date the refund was paid, at the following rates (compounded annually):
- 3 percent through December 31, 1984.
- Variable interest rates apply after December 31, 1984. Variable interest rates can be found on the OPM website.
How to make a Redeposit?
- You should request the "Application to Make Deposit or Redeposit," SF-2803, from the Indianapolis Hiring Center (IHC) or download it from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) website.
- Complete the front of the form and submit it to IHC at the address below.
- IHC will complete the remainder of the form and mail it to OPM.
- OPM computes the amount of the deposit (including interest) and will provide you payment instructions and an official bill.
- You can pay the redeposit in full or in installments of at least $50.00.
- Payments must be made directly to OPM. You cannot pay the deposit through payroll deductions, but you can arrange for electronic fund transfer from your bank account to OPM.
- OPM will send an updated statement every time a payment is made.
- Redeposits may be made before or after retirement, but must be completed before the final adjudication of a retirement claim. If the redeposit is not paid in full before the retirement claim is finalized, OPM will send you a refund of the incomplete redeposit.
Note: If you are within six months of retiring, submit the form with your retirement application. OPM will give you the opportunity to make the redeposit before final processing of your retirement application.
Mailing Address:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Attn: Indianapolis Hiring Center
8899 E. 56th St.
Indianapolis, IN 46249
For more information, please contact HRM Customer Response Interactive Services at 317-715-3000.
What is Deposit Service?
Deposit is payment to the retirement fund to cover a period of federal civilian employment during which no retirement contributions were withheld from your salary. It is also called "Non-Deduction Service."
Who has Deposit Service?
If your work history includes non-permanent service under an appointment excluded from retirement coverage you have "Deposit Service." Examples are:
- Temporary Appointments (limited to one year or less)
- Temporary Appointments Pending Establishment of a Register
- Term Appointments
- Indefinite Appointments
- Intermittent Appointments
- When Actually Employed (WAE) and Seasonal Appointments
Why make a Deposit?
If the unpaid deposit is not made for CSRS service performed before October 1, 1982:
- You receive service credit for the period of service.
- You receive service credit toward the computation of an annuity.
- Your annuity payment is permanently reduced by 10 percent of the unpaid deposit.
If the deposit is not made for CSRS service performed after October 1, 1982:
- You receive service credit for the period of service.
- You do not receive service credit toward the computation of an annuity.
How much does it cost?
The deposit equals the amount of the retirement deductions that would have been taken from your salary had you been covered by the retirement system (7 percent from January 1970 to December 1998; 7.25 percent in 1999; 7.40 percent in 2000; and 7 percent since 2001); plus interest.
Deposit service creditable under the special retirement provisions will cost 0.5 percent more. Special retirement provisions cover CSRS law enforcement officers, firefighters, CBPOs, and air traffic controllers.
How much is the interest?
When the service was performed determines the amount of interest. Interest is charged each year there is an unpaid deposit balance (compounded annually).
- 4 percent interest before January 1, 1948.
- 3 percent interest from January 1, 1948 to December 31, 1984.
- Variable interest rates apply after December 31, 1984. Variable interest rates can be found on the OPM website.
How do I make a Deposit?
- You should request the "Application to Make Deposit or Redeposit," SF-2803, from the Indianapolis Hiring Center (IHC) or download it from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) website.
- Complete the front of the form and submit it to IHC at the address below.
- IHC will complete the remainder of the form and mail it to OPM.
- OPM computes the amount of the deposit (including interest) and will provide you payment instructions and an official bill.
- You can pay the redeposit in full or in installments of at least $50.00.
- Payments must be made directly to OPM. You cannot pay the deposit through payroll deductions, but you can arrange for electronic fund transfer from your bank account to OPM.
- OPM will send an updated statement every time a payment is made.
- Deposits may be made before or after retirement, but must be completed before the final adjudication of a retirement claim.
1. Full-Time
Normally, full-time credit for retirement eligibility and annuity computation is allowed for all time elapsing between the date of appointment and date of separation.
2. Part-Time Service
Full-time credit for retirement eligibility. Service performed on/after April 7, 1986, is prorated for only annuity computation purposes.
3. Intermittent or When Actually Employed (WAE)
Service is credited only for the time actually worked. Actual days worked is always based on a 260-day work year regardless of the dates of the service. Actual hours worked prior to Mar 1, 1986, is based on a 2080-hour work year and actual hours worked on/after Mar 1, 1986, is based on a 2087-hour work year.
4. Leave Without Pay
Credit is given for all leave without pay (LWOP) up to six months in a calendar year. (No deposit required.)
5. Office of Workers' Compensation Time
All time while receiving Office of Workers' Compensation (OWCP) benefits and on LWOP is fully creditable for retirement eligibility and annuity computation. Six-month rule above does not apply. (No deposit required for period of LWOP.)
All time while receiving OWCP benefits and separated is fully creditable for retirement eligibility and annuity computation as long as the employee subsequently returns to Federal service in a covered position and earns title to an annuity. (No deposit required for period of separation.)
All time while receiving loss of wage earning capacity (LWEC) and on a part-time work schedule is creditable for retirement eligibility, but the annuity computation will be prorated based on the part-time work schedule.
6. Active Duty Military Service Under USERRA
Active duty military service (title 10) that interrupts civilian service, if you were properly restored on or after Aug 1, 1990, is creditable without a military deposit depending on date of first hire under CSRS.
If first hired under CSRS prior to Oct 1, 1982, the active duty military service is fully creditable for retirement eligibility and annuity computation purposes without a deposit. However, if at age 62 (or retirement, if later) you are eligible for Social Security benefits, the active duty military service will be permanently eliminated from your CSRS annuity. This is known as Catch 62.
If first hired under CSRS on or after Oct 1, 1982, the active duty military service is fully creditable for retirement eligibility and annuity computation purposes only if a military deposit is paid. The deposit will be the lesser of the amount of retirement deductions that would have been withheld had you not been on active duty military service including any applicable interest or 7 percent of your military earnings while on active duty military service including any applicable interest.
Active duty military service (title 32) that interrupts civilian service, if you were properly restored on or after Aug 1, 1990, is creditable only with a military deposit. It does not matter the date of first hire under CSRS. The deposit will be the lesser of the amount of retirement deductions that would have been withheld had you not been on active duty military service including any applicable interest or 7 percent of your military earnings while on active duty military service including any applicable interest.
7. Deposit (Non-deduction) Service
Always creditable for retirement eligibility but not for annuity computation. Not creditable for annuity computation if service was performed on/after Oct 1, 1982, and deposit not made; and if performed prior to Oct 1, 1982, annuity will be reduced by 10 percent of the deposit owed if deposit not made.
8. Redeposit Service
Always creditable for retirement eligibility but not for annuity computation. Not creditable for annuity computation if service ended on/after Oct 1, 1990, and redeposit not made; and if service ended prior to Oct 1, 1990, the annuity will be actuarially reduced if redeposit not made.