FERS Retirement Planning
Know exactly when you can retire, how much you'll receive, and how to maximize every benefit you've earned. Our ChFEBC℠ team has helped thousands of federal employees optimize their FERS pension.
Comprehensive FERS Pension Analysis
We go far beyond online calculators to give you precise, personalized projections that account for every variable in your specific situation.
Retirement Eligibility Analysis
We calculate your exact MRA+30, 60/20, and 62/5 eligibility dates. Know precisely when you can retire with an immediate, unreduced annuity, including special provisions for LEO, firefighters, and ATC employees.
Precise Pension Calculation
Your high-3 average salary, creditable service, and retirement age combine to determine your annuity. We calculate your exact monthly pension using the 1% or 1.1% multiplier and project future earnings impact.
Sick Leave Credit Analysis
Your unused sick leave converts to additional service credit at retirement. We calculate exactly how much extra pension you'll receive and whether it's worth banking more hours before you retire.
Survivor Benefit Modeling
Choosing the right survivor benefit election is one of the most consequential decisions in federal retirement. We model full, partial, and no survivor benefit scenarios so you can make an informed choice.
COLA Projections
Cost-of-living adjustments protect your pension's purchasing power over time. We project how COLA will affect your annuity through retirement using historical averages and sensitivity analysis.
Retirement Timing Strategy
Should you retire at the end of a year or mid-year? Before or after a step increase? We analyze the financial impact of different retirement dates to help you choose the optimal timing.
Common FERS Challenges We Solve
Confused About Eligibility Rules
MRA, MRA+10, 60/20, 62/5, deferred, postponed... the eligibility rules are complex. We cut through the confusion and tell you exactly when you can retire and what each option means for your benefits.
Uncertainty About Pension Amount
Online calculators give rough estimates, but your actual pension depends on many factors. We provide precise calculations using your real SF-50 data and project how future raises will affect your annuity.
Afraid of Missing the Best Retirement Date
Retiring too early can cost you thousands in reduced pension. Retiring too late means lost years of freedom. We help you find the sweet spot that maximizes both your pension and your retirement years.
Survivor Benefits Paralysis
The survivor benefit decision is permanent and affects both your pension and your spouse's security. We model multiple scenarios so you can make this critical choice with confidence.
Our FERS Planning Process
Document Collection
You'll share your most recent SF-50, leave balances, and service computation date. If you have a recent annuity estimate from your HR office, that's helpful too, but not required.
15 minutesComprehensive Analysis
Our ChFEBC℠ team reviews your documents and builds a complete picture of your FERS benefits. We calculate eligibility dates, pension amounts, and model multiple retirement scenarios.
1-2 business daysStrategy Session
We meet for 60-90 minutes to walk through your personalized analysis, answer questions, and discuss strategies to optimize your pension. You'll leave with clarity on your path forward.
60-90 minutesWritten Report
You receive a comprehensive written report with all calculations, scenarios, and recommendations. Refer back to it as you approach retirement or share it with family members.
Delivered within 1 weekWhy Federal Employees Choose PlanWell
ChFEBC℠ Certified
The Chartered Federal Employee Benefits Consultant designation requires specialized training in FERS, CSRS, and all federal benefits. We know the rules inside and out.
CFP® Professionals
As Certified Financial Planners, we integrate your pension with your complete financial picture, including TSP, Social Security, taxes, and estate planning.
Fee-Based Fiduciary
We don't sell insurance or earn commissions. Our only compensation comes from the clients we serve, which means our advice is always in your best interest.
35+ Years Combined Experience
David and Brennan have helped thousands of federal employees understand and optimize their benefits. We've seen every situation and know what works.
FERS Retirement Planning FAQs
When can I retire under FERS with an unreduced pension?
You can retire with an immediate, unreduced annuity at your Minimum Retirement Age (MRA) with 30 years of service, at age 60 with 20 years, or at age 62 with 5 years. Your MRA depends on your birth year, ranging from 55 to 57. LEO, firefighters, and ATC employees have different rules under special provisions.
How is my FERS pension calculated?
Your FERS basic annuity equals your high-3 average salary multiplied by your years of creditable service multiplied by 1% (or 1.1% if you retire at 62 or older with at least 20 years). For example, a $100,000 high-3 with 30 years equals a $30,000 annual pension at the 1% rate or $33,000 at the 1.1% rate.
What is the FERS Special Retirement Supplement?
The SRS is a benefit paid to FERS employees who retire on an immediate annuity before age 62. It approximates the Social Security benefit you earned during your federal career and continues until you reach 62. It's reduced if you have significant outside earnings.
How does sick leave affect my FERS pension?
Unused sick leave is converted to additional service credit for pension calculation. 2,087 hours equals one full year. This credit increases your pension but doesn't count toward retirement eligibility. Banking sick leave can add hundreds of dollars per month to your pension.
Should I elect survivor benefits for my spouse?
If you're married, you must elect at least a partial survivor benefit unless your spouse consents in writing. The full survivor benefit provides 50% of your annuity to your spouse for life but reduces your pension by 10%. We help you analyze whether the survivor benefit or alternative strategies like life insurance make more sense for your situation.
Can I return to work after retiring from federal service?
Yes, but with possible restrictions. If you return to federal employment, you may be subject to income restrictions since you are collecting a pension. Non-federal jobs do not affect your FERS Pension at all. However, if you are collecting the FERS supplement, it will be subject to the earnings test.
Ready to Know Your FERS Numbers?
Stop guessing about your retirement date and pension amount. Get precise calculations from federal benefits specialists.