The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) data shows that the retirement backlog has reached a new high of 36,603, which was last recorded in March 2013.
The current backlog of OPM retirements is 36,349. It has increased by 16% in 2022 and 48% since its low point of 24,619 in May 2021. Recently retired federal employees waiting for their claims to be processed did not expect to miss the days when the OPM retirement backlog was “only” 24,000 claims.
The number of retirement claims received by OPM’s retirement services office was higher than usual last month. The backlog grew because OPM received 10,042 new claims and only processed 9,117. It increased by nearly 3% at the end of February.
Despite fluctuations over the last five years, OPM’s retirement backlog has increased by 77% since March 2017.
How long does the OPM take to process a federal employee’s retirement claim?
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) claims to process federal employee retirement applications in 60 days on its website. With such a large backlog, it’s understandable that some new federal retirees may have to wait longer.
This is an OPM website response to one of the frequently asked questions:
“Retirement Services makes every effort to process retirement claims within sixty days. However, if we require additional information from you or your previous employer, your claim may take longer to process. If your retirement claim, for example, has unique conditions, it may take longer than usual (e.g., applying a specific retirement law, evaluating a court order, etc.)
It may also take longer if we need to contact you to make a benefit election (such as a service credit deposit), if we need to contact your former employer for further information, or if a benefit from another agency, such as the Social Security Administration, affects your claim.”
What Can Federal Employees Do to Make the Retirement Application Process Go More Quickly?
According to OPM, the most straightforward approach to minimize delays is to submit your retirement application packet early and double-check that everything is in order. Another question from the OPM website:
“By submitting your application ahead of time and ensuring that your Official Personnel Folder (OPF) is complete, you can assist reduce processing delays. Your personnel and payroll offices will be able to finish their actions before your retirement date if you submit your documentation early.”
How to Avoid Common OPM Retirement Application Errors
Any errors on your OPM retirement application packet will only slow down the process further, so be sure you don’t make any.
Initial retirement cases completed in less than 60 days took an average of 44 days, while those completed in more than 60 days took 128 days.
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M. Dutton and Associates is a full-service financial firm. We have been in business for over 30 years serving our community. Through comprehensive objective driven planning, we provide you with the research, analysis, and available options needed to guide you in implementing a sound plan for your retirement. We are committed to helping you achieve your goals. Visit us at MarvinDutton.com . Tel. 212-951-7376: email: [email protected].
