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.
Reviewed by Jonathan Teplitsky · Updated June 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).
For most MRA+10 retirees, postponed is right. 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. 1.1% multiplier on all 25 yrs — 27.5% of High-3 vs 25%. Permanent 10% raise.
Postponing to 62 usually wins on lifetime value. 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.