Federal Retirement Planning
Federal Pension Calculator
FERS annuity calculator & CSRS vs FERS comparison — Official OPM formulas, COLA projections
Use this FERS annuity calculator — or switch to CSRS — to estimate your retirement annuity under the official OPM formula. Get accurate projections of your monthly pension, annual income, and lifetime benefits with COLA adjustments.
Your Federal Employment Details
Your highest 3 consecutive years of salary
Cost of Living Adjustment rate (default: 2.5%)
How it works:
FERS: 1% of high-3 salary × years of service (1.1% if retiring at 62+ with 20+ years)
CSRS: 1.5% for first 5 years, 1.75% for next 5 years, 2% for remaining years (max 80%)
COLA: CSRS receives full COLA. FERS COLA is capped: if inflation ≤2% (full), 2-3% (inflation-2%), >3% (inflation-1%)
Calculate Your Federal Pension
Enter your employment details to estimate your FERS or CSRS retirement pension
Understanding Federal Retirement Systems
FERS (Post-1984)
- Formula: 1% × High-3 × Years of Service
- Enhanced: 1.1% if retiring at 62+ with 20+ years
- Three Parts: Pension + Social Security + TSP
- COLA: CPI-based with caps
- MRA: 55-57 depending on birth year
CSRS (Pre-1984)
- Formula: 1.5% (5 yrs), 1.75% (5 yrs), 2% (after)
- Higher: More generous than FERS
- Stand-Alone: No Social Security
- COLA: Full CPI-U adjustment
- Max: 80% of High-3 salary
Key Terms
Federal Pension FAQs
How is my federal pension calculated?
FERS uses 1% of your High-3 salary times years of service (1.1% if age 62+ with 20+ years). CSRS uses a tiered system: 1.5% for first 5 years, 1.75% for next 5 years, and 2% thereafter.
What is High-3 salary?
High-3 is the average of your highest paid 36 consecutive months of basic pay. It typically occurs at the end of your career.
When can I retire with full benefits?
FERS: MRA (55-57) with 30 years, age 60 with 20 years, or age 62 with 5 years. CSRS: age 55 with 30 years, age 60 with 20 years, or age 62 with 5 years.
Does my pension include COLA increases?
Yes, both FERS and CSRS pensions receive annual COLA adjustments based on inflation (CPI-U).
CSRS vs FERS: Which Is Better?
The honest answer depends on when you were hired — but here's a complete comparison.
| Factor | FERS | CSRS |
|---|---|---|
| Pension Formula | 1% × High-3 × Years (1.1% if 62+ with 20+) | 1.5% / 1.75% / 2% tiered — much higher |
| 30-yr Pension ($80k High-3) | ~$24,000/yr ($2,000/mo) | ~$45,600/yr ($3,800/mo) |
| Social Security | ✓ Yes — earned and collected | ✗ No (CSRS employees pay no SS tax) |
| TSP Agency Match | ✓ Up to 5% free match | ✗ No agency match |
| COLA Adjustment | Capped (CPI−1% above 3%) | Full CPI-U — no cap |
| FERS Supplement (SRS) | ✓ Yes — bridge to age 62 | ✗ Not available |
| Who Has It? | Hired on/after Jan 1, 1984 | Hired before Jan 1, 1984 |
| Overall Verdict | Three-legged stool (pension + SS + TSP) | Higher pension but no SS or TSP match |
When FERS Wins
FERS employees often accumulate more total retirement income when you factor in Social Security (which can be $1,500–$3,000+/month) and a fully matched TSP. A 30-year FERS employee with a maxed-out TSP can retire with a higher combined income than the equivalent CSRS employee — especially if they retire at 62+ for the 1.1% multiplier.
When CSRS Wins
CSRS provides a pension up to 80% of High-3 salary — a true defined-benefit plan. For employees who don't accumulate large TSP balances or have short Social Security records (due to WEP), CSRS can produce a higher guaranteed monthly check. CSRS also receives full CPI COLA adjustments, which is extremely valuable in high-inflation environments.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates only and is for educational purposes. Actual pension amounts may vary based on your specific employment history, retirement date, survivor benefits elections, and other factors. For official pension estimates, contact the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) or consult with your agency's HR benefits specialist. This tool does not constitute financial or retirement advice.