FERS guide
FERS high-three salary
Understand the FERS high-three salary input, what usually counts as basic pay, and why this estimate matters for annuity planning.
Short answer
Your FERS high-three salary is generally the highest average basic pay you earned during any three consecutive years of federal service, and it is one of the main inputs in a basic annuity estimate.
Last reviewed 2026-05-01
Why high-three matters
The FERS basic annuity formula depends on service length and high-three average salary. A better high-three estimate usually means a more useful planning estimate.
The calculator asks for a high-three estimate rather than pay stubs because the site is designed to avoid sensitive identifiers and agency-login data.
How to prepare the input
Start by gathering basic-pay records for likely high-earning periods. If your pay changed because of locality, grade, step, or schedule changes, compare the periods before choosing an estimate.
If you are unsure what counts, enter a conservative estimate for planning and confirm the official record with your agency benefits office.
Why this helps you start faster
People often search for the FERS formula before they know whether their high-three input is ready. This page is meant to reduce that friction before the calculator step.
A rough but thoughtful high-three estimate is better than guessing from total compensation. Save the official record review for the point where the retirement date looks worth pursuing.
Example: why the high-three may not be your current salary
Many employees use their final three years as a starting point because pay is often highest near retirement. But the high-three concept is about the highest three consecutive years, not automatically the last three.
If earlier basic pay was higher because of locality, shift rates, or a different role, that period may deserve review before entering a high-three estimate.
High-three input checklist
| Item | Planning use | Review note |
|---|---|---|
| Basic pay | Use it as the starting point for the high-three estimate. | Do not treat every payment on a pay stub as basic pay. |
| Overtime or bonuses | Flag them for review rather than adding them automatically. | OPM computation guidance excludes some types of extra pay from high-three average pay. |
| Earlier higher pay | Check whether a past three-year period may be higher than the final three years. | Use records, not memory, when the difference could matter. |
Sources
This independent educational page explains a planning input in plain English. It is not payroll advice, legal advice, or an official OPM computation.