{"id":27078,"date":"2023-10-27T14:52:18","date_gmt":"2023-10-27T14:52:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/federaltimes\/uncategorized\/2023\/10\/27\/when-should-i-apply-for-a-deferred-federal-retirement\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T05:08:51","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T05:08:51","slug":"when-should-i-apply-for-a-deferred-federal-retirement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/federaltimes\/your-career\/2023\/10\/27\/when-should-i-apply-for-a-deferred-federal-retirement\/","title":{"rendered":"When should I apply for a deferred federal retirement?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u201cI was a federal employee for 8 years total, five years full-time and three part-time. I left at the age of 54. I know I can apply for a deferred retirement at the age of 62. When should I apply, months before I turn 62? I know OPM is always backed up and I expect a lengthy delay when dealing with them.\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Reg\u2019s Response<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s best to apply for your retirement annuity three months before you turn age 62. That will give OPM time to call up your case, review it, do the necessary calculations and put it the Treasury Department\u2019s cue to begin regular payments of your annuity. That annuity will be based on the average of your highest three consecutive years of basic pay when you left government.<\/p>\n\n\n\t