Federal Retirement Plans: Frequently Asked Questions

"This report answers common questions related to federal retirement plans. The vast majority of the civilian federal workforce is covered by either the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or the Federal Employees’ Retirement System (FERS), depending on date of entrance into federal service. Most civilian federal employees hired before 1984 are covered by CSRS; most civilian federal employees hired in 1984 or later are covered by FERS. This FAQ focuses on policy issues related to CSRS and FERS while also identifying additional retirement plans that provide benefits to specific populations of civilian federal employees. It provides the legislative history of CSRS and FERS as well as information on benefits and financing.

For additional information on CSRS and FERS benefits, see CRS Report 98-810, Federal Employees’ Retirement System: Benefits and Financing.

For additional information on CSRS and FERS funding, see CRS Report RL30023, Federal Employees’ Retirement System: Budget and Trust Fund Issues..."
Federal retirement plans