FERS guide
Should I Retire at 60 or 62 under FERS?
Age 60 and age 62 can change the retirement conversation because service, eligibility path, and the annuity multiplier may not point in the same direction. Use this guide to decide which dates deserve a calculator run.
What to gather before you estimate
- Birth date
- Service start date
- Planned retirement date
- High-three salary estimate
- Whether you expect to retire under regular immediate, MRA+10, postponed, or deferred rules
Last reviewed 2026-05-01
Why age 60 and 62 get compared
Many FERS employees compare age 60 and age 62 because the same service history can sit inside different eligibility and formula conversations.
Age alone is not enough. Your years of service, high-three salary estimate, and retirement path need to be tested together.
What to test before choosing
Start with your planned date, then compare the dates when you reach age 60 and age 62. Keep benefits questions separate from the income estimate.
Do not hand-calculate a dollar result from article copy. Run the same inputs through the calculator so the comparison uses one consistent method.
Related calculator pages
Independent educational planning content. Not affiliated with OPM. Confirm official retirement and benefit decisions with agency or OPM materials.