FERS Annuity Calculator
Estimate your Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) basic annuity using your high-3 salary, creditable service, retirement age, and common reduction options.
How the FERS annuity formula works
The basic FERS pension formula is straightforward: your high-3 average salary is multiplied by a pension factor and then multiplied by your total creditable service. In most cases, the pension factor is 1%. If you retire at age 62 or later with at least 20 years of service, the factor usually increases to 1.1%.
In plain language, the estimate follows this sequence:
- Start with high-3 average salary.
- Convert service into total years (including months and sick leave conversion if applicable).
- Apply 1.0% or 1.1% multiplier.
- Apply any age-based reduction (such as MRA+10).
- Apply any survivor election reduction.
What this calculator includes
1) High-3 salary input
Your high-3 is the highest average basic pay you earned over any three consecutive years. Overtime, bonuses, and some special pay items may not count. If you are unsure, use your best estimate and then refine it with your agency records.
2) Creditable service and unused sick leave
Service time is entered in years and months. You can also add unused sick leave (in months) as an estimate to see how additional credit could impact your annuity.
3) Retirement age and 1.1% enhancement check
The calculator automatically checks whether you may qualify for the 1.1% factor (age 62+ with at least 20 years of service).
4) MRA+10 reduction
If you choose MRA+10 retirement before age 62, your annuity can be reduced by 5% for each year you are under age 62 (prorated for partial years). The calculator applies this reduction when selected.
5) Survivor election reductions
The estimate can apply common survivor elections:
- None: no reduction from survivor election.
- Partial: 5% reduction.
- Full: 10% reduction.
Quick example
Suppose a federal employee has a high-3 salary of $100,000, 24 years and 6 months of creditable service, retires at 62, and elects no survivor reduction.
- Total service = 24.5 years
- Eligible multiplier = 1.1% (age 62+ and 20+ years)
- Estimated annual annuity = $100,000 × 0.011 × 24.5 = $26,950
- Estimated monthly annuity = $2,246 (before taxes, insurance, and other deductions)
Important limitations
This tool is an educational estimate. It does not replace official retirement counseling or OPM calculations. It does not automatically model every rule, including special category employees, disability retirement, FEHB/FEGLI premium impacts, tax withholding, court orders, or the FERS annuity supplement.
How to improve your projected annuity
- Increase creditable service by working longer when possible.
- Boost your high-3 average salary by planning final career years strategically.
- Evaluate timing around age 62 and the 20-year threshold for the 1.1% factor.
- Review survivor options carefully based on household needs.
- Coordinate pension planning with TSP withdrawals and Social Security strategy.
Final note
A FERS annuity is one part of retirement income, alongside TSP and Social Security. Use this calculator as a starting point, then confirm assumptions with your agency HR office and official OPM guidance so your retirement plan is accurate and realistic.