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Ready to submit a retirement application? The Office of Personnel Management released a report listing the most common mistakes on federal employee retirement applications.
The report from OPM’s Retirement Services covers FERS and CSRS from fiscal year 2019 through July 2021. The results show significant increases in the following error types for retirement packages received under both federal retirement systems:
Top FERS Mistakes
SF 2821 (Agency Certification of Insurance Status for Federal Employees Group Life Insurance) forms were not signed by a certifying human resources official or by a certifying payroll official.
SF 2818 (Continuation of Life Insurance Coverage) forms were not signed.
Applications were missing a copy of a marriage certificate for survivor annuities.
SF 3107-1 (Certified Summary of Federal Service) were not signed by the HR Official.
Top CSRS Mistakes
SF 2821 (Agency Certification of Insurance Status for Federal Employees Group Life Insurance) were not signed by a certifying human resources official or by a certifying payroll official.
No proof provided for the five year-requirement for FEHBP coverage to continue through retirement.
Errors on retirement application packages can cause a delay in processing. And, there is already a backlog with OPM reporting that in July of 2021 there are 27,000 claims in its inventory. NTEU has raised the issue of the backlog and the lengthy processing time with the OPM. For federal employees nearing retirement, OPM offers some guidance on planning and applying.