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Planning for Retirement

Planning for retirement doesn’t have to be difficult. CBP is here to help! Review the steps below and when you are ready, visit the Retirement and Benefits Portal to connect with an agent or access additional information.

Information for Prospective Retirees

Retirement Planning Timeline

5 Years to Retirement

  • Determine your retirement eligibility date (date you meet the age and service requirements).
  • If possible, attend a retirement seminar/briefing. If you wish, talk to a personal financial advisor.
  • Review your Official Personnel Folder (OPF), and compare your USDA annual benefits statement to your records. Estimate your annuity.
  • Consider your choices regarding deposit/redeposit for civilian service and deposit for military service.
  • Contact the Social Security Administration, and consider eligibility/options (e.g. windfall, government pension offset).
  • Review and, if necessary, make adjustments to your Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB), Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI), and Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) enrollments/contributions. Consider the "5-year coverage rule" for FEHB & FEGLI. (Contact Retirement and Benefits Advisory Services (RABAS) for information).
  • If changes are necessary, submit updated Designation of Beneficiary forms to the appropriate office(s).

1 Year to Retirement

  • Confirm your retirement eligibility date. If you need help calculating this date, contact RABAS.
  • Schedule a consultation with a retirement specialist and request an updated annuity computation.
  • Make final decisions regarding payment of civilian deposit/redeposit and military service deposit.
  • Confirm your social security eligibility and the effect it may have on your retirement; also note the impact your retirement benefit(s) may have on your social security.
  • Resolve all financial debts you may have with CBP (e.g. travel, leave, etc.). Payoff any TSP loans.
  • Review and, if necessary, make adjustments to your FEHB, FEGLI, and TSP enrollments.
  • If changes are necessary, submit updated Designation of Beneficiary forms to the appropriate office(s).

3-6 Months to Retirement

  • Set a firm retirement date, complete your application package, and submit it to RABAS.
  • Submit any updated Designation of Beneficiary forms.
  • If you will be waiving Retired Military Pay, notify the appropriate military branch.
  • Request a refund from OPM of any CSRS Voluntary Contributions you have made (unless you are planning to purchase an additional retirement annuity).
  • Make sure all financial debts to CBP have been resolved.
  • Fill out and submit the form "Request for TSP Materials for Separated Participant" found on the TSP website.
  • Receive final retirement counseling.

Information for Prospective Retirees

In order to apply for retirement, you can complete and download fillable forms from the CBP website or the U.S. Office of Personnel Management website. You can request a retirement package by calling RABAS at 202-325-6180 or 1-800-897-8612. You can also visit the Retirement and Benefits Portal which provides real-time case status, self-help knowledge articles, self-guided retirement submission, and a feature to contact a Human Resources Specialist directly.

Last Modified: Jan 27, 2025
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