Special Provisions
Some federal employees have very demanding jobs, such as law enforcement officers, firefighters, and air traffic controllers, that may be covered under FERS Special Provisions and are allowed to retire earlier than other FERS employees without suffering penalties to their benefits. Special Provisions employees become eligible for retirement at age fifty with at least twenty years of Special Provision service, or at any age with at least twenty-five years of service, at least twenty of which must be Special Provisions service.
Mandatory retirement ages apply for Special Provisions employees, meaning air traffic controllers are forced to retire at age fifty-six, while firefighters and law enforcement officers must retire at age fifty-seven.
Special Retirement Supplement
FERS employees retiring with a normal full annuity will receive a Special Retirement Supplement (SRS) until age 62. The SRS is subject to the Social Security Earnings Test. Fortunately, the earnings test does not apply until you have reached your Minimum Retirement Age (MRA). Please see the video below for more information.
Early TSP Withdrawal
A recent law passed allowing Special Provisions to begin withdrawing from their TSP if they retire in the year they turn age 50 or later. This law becomes effective beginning with withdrawals made after December 31, 2015. This video will provide more details on this new option.
