FERS Annuity Supplement Explained: Who Gets It And How It Works

By Bobby Maggi

There are countless FERS programs out there that you may qualify for. In a sea of opportunities, overlooking the FERS Annuity Supplement can be easy yet detrimental to your retirement income. Make sure you’re maximizing your federal retirement benefits by taking advantage of every option available to you. Learn more about the FERS Annuity Supplement before seeking guidance from Federal Educators!

What Is the FERS Annuity Supplement?

Sometimes referred to as the Special Retirement Supplement, the FERS Annuity Supplement was designed to provide additional funds for FERS employees who decide to retire before they’re at the required age to be eligible for Social Security pensions. This supplement is reserved for certain individuals who may meet other niche criteria for an early retirement.

Learn more > What Is The Best Federal Retirement System?

Do I Qualify For the FERS Annuity Supplement?

One way to be eligible for the FERS Annuity Supplement is by meeting your minimum retirement age (MRA) with enough years of service. Some federal government employees meet their MRA with around thirty years of service, while others retire at 60 with only 20 years of service. Everyone is different, and so it might take meeting with a Federal Educators benefits advisor to find the right course of action for you.

Some federal occupations allow earlier retirement with FERS Annuity Supplement, such as:

Firefighters
Law enforcement officers
Traffic controllers
Customers and border protection officers
National Guard technicians
And more

To see if you qualify for early retirement with FERS Annuity Pensions, meet with a federal employee retirement benefits advisor in your area!

How the FERS Annuity Supplement Is Distributed

Unlike Social Security pensions, FERS Annuity Supplement payments are distributed by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). This payment typically combines your regular FERS basic annuity and the additional supplement into a single check.

How much do federal employees typically get from the FERS Annuity Supplement? The additional supplement amount takes your total years of creditable civilian service and your estimated Social Security pension when you reach 62 to calculate an appropriate estimate. Basically, it accounts for both the civil service retirement system and Social Security for an accurate estimate.

Although helpful, the FERS Annuity Supplement alone might not feel like enough extra income to retire early comfortably. This is why federal government employees seek out FERS benefits advisors as soon as they can to create a more comprehensive plan and increase their overall retirement income.

Learn more > What Is The Average Federal Employee’s Retirement Income?

Claiming Your FERS Annuity Supplement

A major perk to the FERS Annuity Supplement is that receiving this FERS retirement benefit doesn’t involve a complicated application process. If you qualify, then it will automatically be included in your federal employee annuity payment. The terms of eligibility are arguably more complicated. Even then, receiving federal retirement benefits that you qualify for can be made easier when meeting with a certified federal benefits advisor near you.

Important Note:

The FERS Annuity Supplement is subject to federal income tax, as well as state taxes in certain areas. Meeting with a tax planner can help you limit your tax liability for maximum federal annuity payout.

Know Your Benefits, Like the FERS Annuity Supplement And More, When You Meet With Federal Educators

Find out if you qualify for the FERS Annuity Supplement or other federal retirement programs when you schedule a consultation with Federal Educators! Start with your free benefit analysis and receive personal guidance from certified experts. Give us a call at (813) 568-1212 to get started.

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