Federal retirement worksheet
See how the FERS pension formula works.
Use your agency-confirmed high-3 and service to compare two basic-formula illustrations before reductions and deductions.
Educational formula illustration. It is not an official benefit estimate or financial, tax or retirement advice.
Entered figures are used in this page's memory. This tool does not send them, save them or add them to a link.
Formula illustrations
Enter verified figures, then compare the formulas.
1% formula
OPM's ordinary rate below age 62, or at age 62 or later with fewer than 20 years of service.
High-3 × creditable service × 0.01
- Illustrated annual amount
- Monthly arithmetic equivalent
1.1% formula
For qualifying separations at age 62 or later with at least 20 years of service. Your agency confirms applicability.
High-3 × creditable service × 0.011
- Illustrated annual amount
- Monthly arithmetic equivalent
Showing both columns does not mean both rates are available to you. OPM applies the 1.1% rate to qualifying separations at age 62 or later with at least 20 years of service. Ask your agency which formula applies.
These are arithmetic illustrations before adjustments. Annual and monthly figures are rounded independently to cents; they do not reproduce OPM's payment calculation or rounding rules.
Check the inputs and the complete benefit.
High-3 refers to the highest average basic pay over a consecutive three-year period. It is not necessarily your last three calendar years or your total earnings. Your agency can confirm the amount.
The result does not include age reductions, survivor elections, deposits or redeposits, benefit premiums, tax withholding, cost-of-living changes, Social Security, TSP income or a retirement supplement. It does not establish when you can retire or what you will receive.
Keep your service records and personal financial documents with your agency or appropriate adviser. This worksheet does not ask for a name, date of birth, account number or document upload.
Read the primary sources
Relevant primary-source sections rechecked November 5, 2026. Recheck current guidance before using an illustration for a decision.
- OPM: FERS computation and special cases
- OPM: retirement types and requirements
- DCPAS: annuity-computation worksheet
Connect the next question
Explore federal retirement topics, read about FERS survivor benefits or check our source and editorial approach. If your agency confirms ordinary CSRS coverage, use the separate CSRS formula worksheet.