FERS supplement and MRA timing for veterans who joined federal service later

By the OnPAR Federal Retirement Education editorial team · Last updated November 2, 2026

FERS for Veterans: Hub · Military buyback · Retired pay waiver · VA disability + FERS · Supplement & MRA timing · Deposit estimator

Paid-for military service counts toward when you can retire and toward your basic FERS pension [2][3]. It does not raise the FERS annuity supplement, which OPM computes from your civilian service under FERS [1]. Some retirement types also need a minimum amount of civilian service [1].

Why this matters for veterans who started late

Many veterans start federal jobs in their late 20s, 30s or 40s. Military years with the deposit paid can close the gap to 20 or 30 years of service. But the supplement is based on civilian FERS service only, and the timing rules differ by retirement type [1].

Your MRA

OPM's minimum retirement age (MRA) table [1]:

Which retirements count military time

How the supplement is computed

OPM estimates your full-career (40-year) Social Security benefit, then scales it by your years of civilian service under FERS divided by 40. OPM's example: a $1,000 estimate with 30 years under FERS gives 30 ÷ 40 × $1,000 = $750 a month before any reductions [1]. The supplement is paid until the month before you're entitled to Social Security, or the month you turn 62, whichever is earlier, and it's subject to an earnings test [1].

Example (illustration only)

Made-up numbers. Jordan was born in 1972 (MRA 57), served 8 years on active duty and paid the deposit, then worked 22 years as a federal civilian. Jordan's total creditable service at 57 is 30 years, which meets MRA + 30 for an unreduced immediate annuity [1][2]. With a $95,000 high-3, the basic annuity is 1% × $95,000 × 30 = $28,500 a year [3].

The supplement uses only Jordan's 22 civilian FERS years. If Jordan's 40-year Social Security estimate were $2,000 a month, the supplement would be 22 ÷ 40 × $2,000 = $1,100 a month, not the $1,500 that 30 years would give [1]. Without the deposit, Jordan would have only 22 years at 57. That's an MRA + 10 retirement with a 5%-per-year reduction under 62 and no supplement, or a wait until 60 + 20 [1].

The deposit deadline is the real timing issue

The military deposit must be paid to your employing agency before you separate [2][4]. Interest may be added depending on when you were hired and when you pay. Under OPM's regulation, interest starts accruing on the second anniversary of your FERS coverage, and no interest is charged if you finish the deposit within the first year after that (OPM's example: FERS coverage starting March 1, 1988 means interest begins March 1, 1990, and none is due if the deposit is completed by February 28, 1991) [4]. Your agency's deposit estimate will show the exact amount owed [2]. If you plan to retire at your MRA, start the paperwork years ahead. Earnings records from the military finance center and agency billing can take months.

Military retirees: check the waiver rule

If you receive military retired pay, the same years generally can't count toward FERS unless you waive it, apart from the exceptions in law [5]. That changes the service totals in every row above. See the retired pay waiver guide.

Timing checklist

1. Find your MRA in the table above.
2. Add civilian service and military service with the deposit paid. Check whether you reach 30 at your MRA or 20 at 60.
3. Count only civilian FERS years when estimating the supplement.
4. Pay the deposit before your separation date, ideally early enough to limit interest [4].
5. Check your dates with HR and your official personnel records before you set a retirement date.

Test dates in the MRA calculator and the FERS supplement calculator. Enter civilian years only for the supplement.

Run the numbers → open the FERS Pension Calculator

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Official sources

1. OPM: Types of Retirement (eligibility, MRA, disability, FERS supplement)
2. OPM: Service Credit (military deposit rates and rules)
3. OPM: FERS Computation
4. eCFR: 5 CFR 842.306-842.307 (military service credit and deposits)
5. 5 U.S.C. 8411: Creditable service (military service and retired pay)

Checked against the official sources above on November 2, 2026. Education only, not legal or financial advice. Not affiliated with OPM, VA, DoD or any government agency.