The Civil Service Retirement Act became effective on August 1, 1920 and established a retirement system for Federal employees. The Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) is a defined benefit, contributory retirement system. Employees share in the expense to help fund their retirement annuities. CSRS covered employees contribute 7, 7 1/2 or 8 percent of pay to CSRS and while they generally pay no Social Security retirement or survivor and disability (OASDI) tax, they must pay the Medicare tax (currently 1.45 percent of pay). The employing agency matches the employee’s CSRS contributions.
It was replaced by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) for Federal employees who first entered covered service on and after January 1, 1987.
Did You Know?
Most CSRS employees have already retired.
CSRS was the retirement pension before FERS.
Generally, CSRS employees have not contributed to Social Security.
Popular Questions
CSRS is the abbreviation of Civil Service Retirement System.
The short answer is a federal employee hired before 1983.
For most CSRS employees retirement is available after minimum retirement age and 30 years of employment.
Federal employees eligible for CSRS retirement can submit a SF2801.
Generally no. The exception is if the CSRS employee has earned 40 Social Security quarters to qualify for Social Security.
Consultation Services
Our Benefit Coordinators can assist you with getting a thorough understanding of your federal benefits, such as, federal short term disability, through our Consultation Services. We will cover all benefits of the program and always conclude our meeting by answering any questions you may have.
Most of our clients report learning something new each time they have a consultation. Either one-on-one or group sessions. Below are just some of the many things we cover when doing a consultation:
Understanding not only when you can retire but how to effectively create streams of income and maximize your retirement.
Explanation and calculations on trigger points of your retirement system. Such as, your Minimum Retirement Age, High Three and best time to retire.
Reviewing your hire date and ensuring that your years of service are credited towards your retirement.
Creating a personal analysis for your federal pension by exploring retirement options to maximize your disposable income while reducing your benefits costs. Assistance in completion of your Retirement Request Packet
A complete explanation on the various types of retirement, Disability, Early Retirement, Voluntary Retirement, Deferred Retirement and how those options will affect your income
Ensuring that you and your family understand what benefits you have in the event you predecease them during your working years and even into retirement. Review of benefits, costs and application
Ensure that you were credited for your years of service if you applied for your Military Buy Back
If you left before you were eligible you may be entitled to receive your CSRS contributions. Also review your best options for your TSP account balance