CSRS Federal Pension Estimator

Can new federal employees still enroll in CSRS?

No, CSRS closed to new hires starting January 1, 1984 when FERS was created, so essentially all remaining CSRS annuitants were hired before that date. Some rare CSRS Offset employees exist as a transitional category, blending CSRS benefits with Social Security coverage.

Why is the CSRS formula so much richer than FERS?

CSRS was designed as the primary and often sole retirement benefit for federal employees who don't earn Social Security credits on their CSRS-covered service, so the pension itself needed to replace a much larger share of pre-retirement income compared to FERS, which is just one leg of a three-part retirement system alongside Social Security and TSP.

Do CSRS annuitants get full cost-of-living adjustments?

Yes, CSRS annuities receive the full CPI-based COLA every year with no reduction, unlike FERS annuities which use a diet COLA formula that caps increases below full CPI when inflation exceeds 2%, and unlike FERS, CSRS COLAs start immediately regardless of age.

Is there a maximum CSRS annuity?

Yes, the annuity is capped at 80% of your high-3 average salary, which is reached at 41 years and 11 months of creditable service under the standard formula, though additional unused sick leave can still convert to extra service credit beyond that cap in certain circumstances.