Retire FERS meaning: what the RETIRE, FERS line on your pay stub is

By the OnPAR Federal Retirement Education editorial team · Last updated November 9, 2026

Related: FERS contribution rates · How the FERS pension is calculated · SF-50s and eOPF records · FERS retirement calculator · Start here

Short answer: If you are wondering about the retire FERS meaning on your paycheck, the RETIRE, FERS line is your FERS retirement deduction: the money withheld each pay period toward your FERS basic benefit (your pension) [1]. For most regular employees it is 0.8%, 3.1% or 4.4% of pay, depending on when you first entered FERS-covered service [3]. It is separate from Social Security (OASDI), Medicare and the TSP [1] [5].

Published November 9, 2026 · FERS News

What the RETIRE, FERS line on your LES means

The Department of Defense civilian Leave and Earnings Statement (the LES that DFAS issues) lists deductions by name under TYPE. Its definition of RETIRE, FERS is simply "FERS retirement," and it adds that the employee's retirement code shown on the SF-50 will print under CODE [1]. On the sample DoD LES, the line reads RETIRE, FERS  K with a current amount and a year-to-date amount [1].

Other payroll providers word it differently. The Interior Business Center's sample statement, for example, shows Retirement – FERS/CSRS with the rate (.8) next to it [6]. Same deduction, different label.

The DoD LES also has a cumulative retirement block: the total FERS (or CSRS) retirement deductions made since you transferred to your current payroll office [1]. It is not your pension amount and not a cash account you can spend.

What the code next to it means (K, KR, KF)

The letter is your retirement coverage code from your SF-50 [1]. The USDA National Finance Center lists the common FERS codes as [2]:

• K - FERS and FICA
• KR - FERS-RAE and FICA (Revised Annuity Employees, added January 1, 2013)
• KF - FERS (FRAE) and FICA (Further Revised Annuity Employees)
• M - FERS and FICA (Special) for law enforcement officers and firefighters, with related RAE and FRAE versions (MR, MF)

If the code on your LES doesn't match what you expect from your hire history, ask your HR or payroll office. Your SF-50s are in your eOPF; see how to get your SF-50s from eOPF.

How much RETIRE, FERS should be (OPM rates)

OPM's FY 2025 Agency Financial Report lists three FERS participant contribution rates for most regular employees [3]:

• 0.8% of pay - most employees who entered before calendar year 2013. OPM says this equals the CSRS rate (7.0%) less the Social Security (OASDI) rate [3].
• 3.1% of pay - FERS-RAE, created by P.L. 112-96, generally employees who entered during 2013 [3].
• 4.4% of pay - FERS-FRAE, created by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 (P.L. 113-67), generally employees entering on or after January 1, 2014 [3] [4].

Hired after 2013 but had earlier federal service? OPM's BAL 14-107 explains that some employees keep original FERS (or FERS-RAE) coverage based on their status on December 31, 2012 (or December 31, 2013) [4]. That is why two coworkers hired the same year can have different RETIRE, FERS amounts.

Who it affects: every FERS-covered employee. The amount matters most when you check your first LES, change jobs between agencies, or come back to federal service after a break.

Worked example: $80,000 of basic pay

To show the math, take an example employee with $80,000 a year of basic pay (an illustrative figure, not an official salary) paid over 26 biweekly pay periods. Using the official rates [3] [5]:

So the same $80,000 employee would see about $24.62, $95.38 or $135.38 on the RETIRE, FERS line each pay period, depending on their FERS group. Your actual LES amount may differ slightly because of payroll rounding, and OASDI stops for the year once covered wages reach $184,500 (2026) [5].

Key point: paying 4.4% does not buy a bigger pension. OPM says there is no difference in the FERS basic benefit paid to FERS, FERS-RAE and FERS-FRAE employees, except for Members of Congress and congressional staff [3]. Your pension still comes from your High-3 and years of service. See how the FERS pension is calculated.

RETIRE, FERS vs OASDI, Medicare and TSP

• OASDI is Social Security tax: 6.2% of covered wages up to $184,500 in 2026 [5]. The DoD LES defines it as "Old age, survivors, and disability insurance; this has commonly been called social security" [1].
• MEDICARE is 1.45% on all earnings, plus an extra 0.9% on earnings above $200,000 ($250,000 married filing jointly) [5].
• TSP lines are your own Thrift Savings Plan savings, a separate account.
• RETIRE, FERS funds only the FERS basic benefit (pension) [1] [3].

What happens to the money if you leave

If you leave before you can retire, you can apply for a refund of your FERS deductions on SF 3106. OPM's FERS Refund Fact Sheet says you must have been separated (or in a position not subject to FERS deductions) for at least 31 days, and that a refund voids all FERS annuity rights for that service [7]. If you return to FERS-covered work you may be able to redeposit the refund plus interest to restore credit [7]. OPM says the deductions themselves are not taxable when refunded, but any interest paid with the refund is [7].

Next steps

1. Find the RETIRE, FERS (or Retirement – FERS) line on your latest LES and note the code and amount [1].
2. Divide the current amount by your basic pay for the pay period. It should be about 0.8%, 3.1% or 4.4% for most regular employees [3]. If it isn't, ask payroll or HR.
3. Check your SF-50 retirement plan code in eOPF. See eOPF and SF-50 records.
4. Estimate the pension those deductions support with the FERS retirement calculator or the FERS pension calculator, and read the full FERS contribution rates guide.
5. Thinking of leaving? Read OPM's refund rules before you file an SF 3106 [7].

Quick questions

What does RETIRE, FERS mean on my pay stub?

It is your FERS retirement deduction: the amount withheld from your pay each pay period toward the FERS basic benefit (the pension). On the DoD civilian Leave and Earnings Statement, the line is labeled RETIRE, FERS and your retirement code from your SF-50 prints under CODE.

How much is the RETIRE, FERS deduction?

For most regular employees OPM lists 0.8% of pay if you entered service before 2013, 3.1% (FERS-RAE) if you entered during 2013, and 4.4% (FERS-FRAE) if you entered on or after January 1, 2014. Special-category employees such as law enforcement officers and firefighters pay different rates.

What does the K next to RETIRE, FERS mean?

It is your retirement coverage code from your SF-50. The National Finance Center lists K as FERS and FICA, KR as FERS-RAE and FICA, and KF as FERS-FRAE and FICA.

Is RETIRE, FERS the same as Social Security (OASDI)?

No. FERS employees pay both. OASDI is Social Security tax, 6.2% of covered wages up to $184,500 in 2026, and Medicare is a separate 1.45%. The RETIRE, FERS line is only the pension contribution.

Do I get my RETIRE, FERS money back if I leave?

You can apply for a refund on SF 3106 after you have been separated (or in a non-FERS position) for at least 31 days. OPM says a refund voids all FERS annuity rights for that service unless you later return and redeposit it with interest.

Does a higher FERS deduction mean a bigger pension?

No. OPM says there is no difference in the FERS basic benefit paid to FERS, FERS-RAE and FERS-FRAE employees (Members of Congress and congressional staff are the exception).

Official sources

1. DoD Civilian Leave and Earnings Statement guide (DFAS LES field and deduction definitions, PDF)
2. USDA National Finance Center: Retirement Coverage Codes
3. OPM FY 2025 Agency Financial Report (FERS participant contribution rates, PDF)
4. OPM BAL 14-107: FERS-FRAE coverage determination guidance (PDF)
5. SSA: 2026 Social Security changes fact sheet (OASDI and Medicare tax rates)
6. Interior Business Center: Leave and Earnings Statement explained
7. OPM: FERS Refund Fact Sheet (PDF)

Checked against OPM, DFAS, NFC and SSA on November 9, 2026. Education only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Not affiliated with OPM, DFAS, USPS or any government agency.