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 2026-04-28
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.
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.