CSRS

What is CSRS?

The Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) is a type of retirement plan where you get a set amount of money when you retire, based on how much you and your employer have paid into the system. If you're part of the CSRS Offset, you have the same retirement choices as someone directly under CSRS.

You're part of CSRS if:

  • You started your job before January 1, 1984, in a role that takes part in CSRS (meaning they took CSRS retirement money out of your paycheck), or
  • You returned to a job that participates in CSRS after being away for less than a year.

You're in the CSRS Offset group if:

CSRS Separation (Non-Retirement)

If you separated from the Federal government and were not eligible for retirement benefits, refer to the NIH Former Employee’s webpage.

Applying for CSRS Retirement

If you are within one year of retirement, you should request a retirement estimate through the WiTS portal.

If you plan to retire in the next 3-4 months and you've asked for a retirement estimate already, you should fill out your retirement forms using the Checklist – FERS-CSRS Optional Retirement as a guide and submit them to your retirement specialist. You can sign these forms digitally with your government PIV card, or you can print them out, sign them by hand, scan them, and email them.

Forms or actions by you include:

Form/Document Details
Employee Checklist

Required. 

  • Use this as a coversheet for your retirement application forms.
Routing and Transmittal Slip

Required. 

  • Complete and send to your supervisor and Administrative Officer. 
  • Return a copy with your retirement paperwork.
SF-2801

Required.

  • Complete pages 12 - 14
  • No cross outs permitted.

Required if you have prior military service or Workers’ Comp claim.

  • Page 15 of the SF-2801
  • If retired military with pay award, include the pay award notice.
  • All military deposits must be completed prior to your retirement.

Required.

  • Pages 17-18 of the SF-2801
  • To be completed by agency and reviewed by employee.

Required if you are married and the maximum survivor benefit is not elected. 

  • Page 16 of the SF-2801
  • Must be signed by a notary. Notary and spouse dates must match.
  • Part 1 must match annuity election on the retirement application.
  • No cross outs permitted.
SF-2818

Required if you have life insurance at retirement. 

  • Complete page 4.
  • Required if you have life insurance at retirement.
  • No cross outs permitted.
Beneficiary Forms

Optional.
W-4P Federal Tax Withholding Form. 
DD 214 or Equivalent If you have prior military service, include all DD 214(s), member 4s or equivalent. 
Marriage Certificate (Copy)

Required if you are currently married. 

  • Marriage certificates in another language must be officially translated.
Divorce Decree (Certified Copy)

Required if you are divorced and your former spouse is entitled to part of your annuity.

  • If you have already provided a court certified copy to OPM, a copy is sufficient.
Digital Signatures Use this Job Aid to help you sign your retirement papers digitally. 
Other Reminders
  • Notify appropriate military branch if waiving military retired pay.
  • Verify all financial indebtedness to the agency is resolved.
  • Contact TSP about your TSP monies. Read more on TSP’s website.
  • Download your personnel records from eOPF.

You may also wish to review the OPM Retirement Quick Guide for additional information regarding your upcoming retirement.

When completing your retirement forms, be mindful of common mistakes that can cause delays.
  • Provide all required signatures and double-check the completeness of forms prior to submission.
  • Use your personal contact information on the paperwork, not your work contact. This is how OPM will contact you after retirement.
  • If you make a mistake completing the form, complete a new one. Identified corrective actions can cause delays.

Refer to OPM's application tips page for more common application errors.

Disability Application

In addition to the above forms, also complete:

  • SF-3112 - Application for Disability Retirement
    • SF 3112A - Applicant Statement of Disability
    • SF 3112B - Supervisor's Statement - Provide this form along with the SF-3112A to your immediate supervisor.
    • SF 3112C - Physician's Statement - You and/or your physician will need to provide a signed copy of the SF-3112C and medical documentation to support your request for disability retirement. Be sure to make a copy of this information for your records before sending it to the Benefits Office.
  • Social Security Disability Application Confirmation

New Retirees

OPM Resources

As a new retiree, you may have some questions or need to contact OPM directly. OPM’s The Civil Service Retirement System booklet (RI 83-1) can provide additional information about CSRS retirement. If you need to contact OPM, refer to OPM’s contact page. Other retirement FAQs can be found on OPM’s Retirement FAQs page.


Thrift Savings Plan

Withdrawals are filed directly with the TSP Service Office after retirement. You must take your first Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) by April 1st of the year following either the year you reach your RMD age or the year you retire (whichever is later).


Access to NIH Campus After Retirement

Voluntary Contributions

Voluntary contributions are payments made to the retirement fund in addition to the deductions that are withheld from pay. You can make these contributions only if you are covered by the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and do not owe a deposit for a period of time when deductions were not withheld from your pay.

You can make voluntary contributions in multiples of $25. Total contributions cannot exceed 10 percent of your pay.

You can purchase additional annuity of $7 per year for each $100 of voluntary contributions, plus 20 cents for each full year you are over age 55 when you retire. By electing to take a reduction in the additional annuity, you can also purchase additional annuity for a surviving spouse who may receive a benefit after your death.

Other Retirement Resources

Contact us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.