Federal Employee Retirement Age — MRA, Early-Out, and the Magic 62
There is no single federal retirement age. Under FERS you can retire with an immediate unreduced annuity at three different age-and-service combinations, plus a reduced option at MRA with 10 years.
Updated November 2026
FERS MRA by birth year
| Birth Year | MRA |
|---|---|
| Before 1948 | 55 |
| 1948-1952 | 55 + 2-10 months |
| 1953-1964 | 56 |
| 1965-1969 | 56 + 2-10 months |
| 1970 or later | 57 |
Statutory basis: 5 U.S.C. § 8412.
Three routes to an immediate, unreduced FERS annuity
- MRA + 30 — Full benefit at MRA.
- Age 60 + 20 — Full benefit at 60.
- Age 62 + 5 — Full benefit + 1.1% multiplier if also 20+ years.
MRA + 10: the trap most guides bury
If you reach MRA with 10+ years but don't qualify for an immediate full annuity, you can take MRA+10. Two paths:
- Immediate (penalty path). Collect now — every year under 62 costs 5% permanently. Retire at 57 with MRA+10? Annuity reduced 25% for life.
- Postponed (smart path). Separate now, delay annuity until 60 (if 20 years) or 62. Zero penalty AND you remain eligible to re-enroll in FEHB when annuity starts (covered 5 years before separation).
Postponing pays off most clearly with 20 or more years, because the cut ends at 60. With 10 to 19 years, waiting until 62 only comes out ahead in total after about age 77. Deferred (different beast — without postponement) loses FEHB forever.
Early-out before MRA
VERA
Agency-offered during reorgs/RIFs. Age 50+20 or any age+25. Reduced 2%/year under 55 (friendlier than MRA+10).
VSIP
$25,000 buyout paired with VERA. Taxable. Repay if re-enter federal within 5 years.
DSR
Involuntary separation. Same thresholds as VERA.
FERS Disability
Any age with 18 months service if you can no longer perform position. 60% of High-3 year 1, 40% thereafter, until 62 → regular annuity.
CSRS retirement ages
Same age-and-service structure (55+30, 60+20, 62+5) but richer multiplier. CSRS uses flat 55. See CSRS retirement.
Special category retirement ages
LEO, FF, ATC have enhanced 1.7% multiplier on first 20 years:
- Minimum: age 50 + 20 covered, or any age + 25.
- Mandatory: 57 for LEO/FF; 56 for ATC.
Worked example: 55, 25 years FERS, MRA = 57
Sarah born 1971 — MRA 57. At 55 with 25 years, three paths:
- Wait to MRA (57) + 27 years. MRA+10 with 25% lifetime cut. Bad.
- Resign, postpone to 60. 25 frozen on books. Qualifies age-60-with-20 — no penalty, FEHB re-eligible.
- Resign, postpone to 62. Still 1.0% on all 25 yrs (25% of High-3): the 1.1% multiplier needs you to be 62 or older when you separate, so waiting past 60 adds nothing here.
Postponing to 60 removes the cut here. Compare start ages in the FERS MRA+10 calculator, then run numbers before committing.
FERS Supplement?
If you retire under MRA+30, 60+20, or VERA, you also get the FERS Supplement — bridge to 62. MRA+10 and postponed don't get it.
For health insurance, life insurance, and survivor benefit rules that apply after you retire, see the site's federal employee benefits guide.