Federal Retirement Application Processing Times Climb

The average processing time for federal retirement applications has increased to 76 days, up from 70 days in August. This rise comes as the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) prepares for an anticipated surge of 35,000 applications expected at the Retirement Operations Center over the next 2–3 weeks.

In September, 6,095 employees filed for retirement, down from 9,416 in August. Despite the lower submission numbers, OPM processed only 7,902 claims in September—nearly 30% fewer than the 11,195 claims completed in the previous month—resulting in a backlog of more than 23,000 applications.

To help ease financial uncertainty for incoming retirees, OPM is expanding its Interim Pay program. Under the updated plan, employees will receive at least 80% of their estimated annuity within 30 days of OPM receiving their application, with final adjustments made after the full review.

The agency is also taking steps to speed up processing, including hiring additional staff, enhancing customer service tools, and improving coordination with agency HR offices to reduce errors and delays.

Here’s how the numbers stack up YTD*:

January 2024: 12,997
January 2025: 16,101
Increase: 23.9%

February 2024: 8,794
February 2025: 9,637
Increase: 9.6%

March 2024: 7,943
March 2025: 7,803
Decrease: 1.8%

April 2024: 6,901
April 2025: 8,332
Increase: 20.7%

May 2024: 6,751
May 2025: 15,048
Increase: 122.9%

June 2024: 6,919
June 2025:13,430
Increase: 94.1%

July 2024: 6,451
July 2025: 8,295
Increase: 28.6%

August 2024: 7,083
August 2025: 9,416
Increase: 32.9%

September 2024: 5,618
September 2025: 6.095
Increase: 8.5%

Jan – September 2024: 69,457
Jan – September 2025: 94,157
Increase: 35.6%

Mistakes or missing information in federal retirement applications can significantly delay processing, postponing your access to full benefits. The most common mistakes include incomplete personal identification details, incorrect marital status documentation, and discrepancies in federal service records.

Not sure if you’re retirement ready? Overwhelmed by navigating the complex process of federal retirement? Reach out to a Federal Retirement Consultant (FRC®) who understands your unique benefits.

*https://www.opm.gov/retirement-center/retirement-statistics/retirement-processing-status.pdf