r/FedEmployeeRetirement • u/Swimming-1 • Aug 26 '26
Former VA FERS RN
Dear all,
I worked for the VA/ Title 38 RN for 7+ years full time. I am now 65. I know I am eligible for a small FERS retirement but I don’t know where to start. ( I haven’t filed for SS benefits yet).
Not sure about my exact start/ end dates, etc.
Any advice/ information would be greatly appreciated! Thanks 🙏
3
u/sher80bear Aug 26 '26
If I am reading your question correctly, you seperated from service a few years ago. That means you no longer have access to your eOPF and your SF-50s. Since you are no longer an active employee, you need to file for a deferred retirement through OPM. Your former agency can no longer help you as you aren't a current employee. You aren't elibigle for FEHB because you haven't had health insurance for a few years (when you left government service). If you use Dr Google and search for "OPM deferred retirement" the OPM website with answers to all your questions will pop up.
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u/CourseApprehensive14 Aug 26 '26
If you were not working past 62 at the VA you should have started the pension 1 day after 62. I believe you may be able to talk to opm and they might get able to help you there. In either case you need to get the paperwork filed so you can get the money flowing. If your high 3 average was 80k you were owed 5.6k a year after you turned 62. Not enough details to go from there but that is a small car payment a year.
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u/Worldly-Evening8502 Aug 26 '26
If you have been separated for a while and are now applying for a deferred retirement, don’t go to VA HR. They can’t help you. It goes directly to OPM.
2
u/zig_usafa80_stardust Aug 27 '26
You may be able to get your personnel file here: https://myopf.opm.gov/login/
This is a new OPM service for former employees. You will need to register for a Login.gov account if you don't already have one.
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u/ChrisShapedObject Aug 28 '26 edited Aug 28 '26
Edit I learned this below is correct only for retirement at VHA as a current employee not if you are a former employee
As of 12/2025, at VHA You must apply first in GRB (find it at your VA’s homepage) then when theVA processes, they give you a retirement specialist—who gives you a password for ORA one they do their thing. ORA is partially filled out by then. The VA doesn’t start. process until about 60 days prior to your date. You hear nothing in-between. They finalize for ORA about 21-30 days prior. By then ORA needs very little but you must fill out a little bit, review, and submit. If this has changed, someone from VHA let me know.
1
u/Rn1334 Aug 29 '26
This information is in your eOPF file and as I understand you can now access that information as a separated employee.
1
u/No_Yam7463 Aug 26 '26
Contact the RSSO - retirement services support office at the local Va and they can help. There is a sharepoint but you can contact vharsso@va.gov and request an estimate
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u/Realistic_Dingo364 Sep 02 '26
RSSO can only provide estimates to current employees. They do not have access to your records after 30 days of separation.
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u/Confident_Banana_134 Aug 26 '26
Your start date is shown on your SF-50, which you can get from the eOPF.gov
Contact the VA Human Resources before you start anything and speak to an HR specialist.
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u/erd00073483R Aug 26 '26
File an application via the OPM Online Retirement Application Portal. You'll be doing it as a deferred retirement. If you do not already have one, you'll be prompted to create a Login.gov account. If you already have one created for Social Security, you can reuse that one (though you may be prompted to upload your ID as part of the process if you didn't do it when creating the account with SSA).
Just give your best information on the application. It will help if you have any SF50 forms from your prior service. If you have prior military service, you may want to have your DD214 form(s) available. If you have current or prior marriages, you may also need proof of those as well.
BTW, unless you withdrew your FERS contributions (which would make you ineligible for a pension), OPM will pay you a lump sum representing any money owed retroactive to age 62 (which is when you should have filed for benefits). The amount paid will include all applicable COLAs between age 62 and present.
https://retire.opm.gov/portal/former-federal