The FERS Special Retirement Supplement (SRS) is a monthly payment from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) that acts as a bridge between your federal retirement date and the day you turn 62 and become eligible for Social Security. It is designed to fill the income gap that federal employees face when they retire before they can claim Social Security benefits. About half of all FERS employees are entitled to this benefit when they retire.
Under 5 U.S.C. § 8421, the FERS system was built as a three-legged stool: a basic annuity, Social Security, and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). The problem is that one of those legs — Social Security — doesn’t kick in until age 62 at the earliest. Without the supplement, a federal employee who retires at 56 or 57 could face six or more years of missing income from that second leg.
The 2025 Social Security earnings limit is $23,480 per year, and earning above that amount triggers a reduction in your supplement — a rule that catches many retirees off guard.
What you will learn in this article:
- 🔍 The exact eligibility rules for the FERS supplement, including who qualifies and who gets denied
- 💰 How OPM calculates the supplement, with step-by-step math and real dollar examples
- ⚠️ How the earnings test works and the specific income threshold that triggers a reduction
- 👮 How special provision employees like law enforcement officers and firefighters access the supplement years earlier
- 🛑 The most common mistakes federal retirees make with the supplement and how to avoid each one
Why the FERS Supplement Exists in the First Place
The Federal Employees Retirement System replaced the older Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) in 1987. CSRS was a standalone retirement plan — employees paid higher contributions and received a larger annuity that did not rely on Social Security at all. FERS, by contrast, was designed to work alongside Social Security and the TSP.
This shift created a problem. FERS employees who retire before age 62 lose access to one of the three income sources their retirement was built around. The basic FERS annuity alone provides a much smaller pension than CSRS did for the same years of service. A 30-year FERS employee earns a basic annuity of roughly 30% of their high-3 salary, while a 30-year CSRS employee earns about 56%.
Congress addressed this gap by creating the FERS supplement under the Federal Employees’ Retirement System Act of 1986. The supplement approximates the Social Security benefit you earned only during your years of FERS-covered federal service. It is not the full Social Security benefit you would receive at 62 — it is a prorated portion based on your federal career.
Who Actually Qualifies for the FERS Supplement
Eligibility comes down to one core requirement: you must retire on an immediate, unreduced FERS annuity. This means you meet full age and service requirements with no penalty applied to your pension. The specific paths that qualify for the supplement are listed below.
| Retirement Path | Requirement |
|---|---|
| MRA + 30 years | Reach your Minimum Retirement Age with 30+ years of service |
| Age 60 + 20 years | Turn 60 with at least 20 years of creditable service |
| Involuntary/Early Out | Discontinued service or early retirement authority (supplement begins at MRA) |
| Special Provision | Age 50 with 20 years or any age with 25 years of covered service |
Your Minimum Retirement Age depends on your birth year. For employees born in 1970 or later, the MRA is 57. For those born between 1953 and 1964, the MRA ranges from 55 years and 6 months to 56 years and 8 months. Knowing your exact MRA is critical because it determines when the earnings test begins and when your supplement starts if you retire under involuntary provisions.
Employees who retire under discontinued service or early retirement authority before reaching their MRA do not receive the supplement right away. The supplement begins when they reach MRA, not on the day they stop working.
Special Provision Employees Get a Head Start
Federal employees in high-stress, physically demanding positions retire under enhanced rules known as FERS Special Provisions. These employees earn a higher pension multiplier and can retire much earlier than standard FERS workers. The special provision positions include:
- Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs)
- Firefighters
- Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs)
- Capitol Police
- Supreme Court Police
- Nuclear Materials Couriers
- Customs and Border Protection Officers
- Special Agents of the Diplomatic Security Service
These employees can retire with a full, unreduced annuity at age 50 with 20 years of covered service, or at any age with 25 years of covered service. Most of them also face mandatory retirement — age 57 for law enforcement and firefighters, and age 56 for air traffic controllers. Because they must leave federal service early, the supplement becomes an even more important part of their income.
The pension formula for these employees is also more generous. According to OPM’s computation guide, special provision employees earn 1.7% of their high-3 average salary for each of the first 20 years of service, compared to just 1% for regular FERS employees. After 20 years, the rate drops to 1%.
| Employee Type | First 20 Years Multiplier | Years After 20 Multiplier |
|—|—|
| Regular FERS | 1.0% (or 1.1% at age 62+) | 1.0% (or 1.1% at age 62+) |
| Special Provision | 1.7% | 1.0% |
A special provision employee with a high-3 salary of $95,000 and 20 years of service would earn a basic annuity of $32,300 per year ($95,000 × 0.017 × 20). A regular FERS employee with the same salary and service would earn only $19,000 per year. The difference is significant, and the supplement adds even more on top of that pension.
One key difference for special provision retirees: the earnings test does not apply until the retiree reaches their MRA. A law enforcement officer who retires at age 50 can earn unlimited income without any reduction to the supplement until age 57.
Who Gets Denied the FERS Supplement
Not every FERS retiree qualifies. The rules are strict, and several common retirement paths are excluded. Retirees who are not eligible include:
- Disability retirees — Even though they retire before 62, they receive a different benefit formula and are not entitled to the supplement
- MRA+10 retirees — Employees who retire at their MRA with 10 to 29 years of service take a reduced annuity and do not qualify
- Deferred retirees — Employees who resign and later claim a deferred annuity at age 62 have no gap to bridge
- Age 62+ retirees — If you are already 62 when you retire, you can claim Social Security directly and do not need the supplement
- Age 60 or 61 with less than 20 years — Retiring at 60 with only 15 years of service, for example, does not meet the threshold
The MRA+10 exclusion is the one that trips up the most employees. Many federal workers assume that any immediate retirement qualifies. The MRA+10 retirement is technically immediate, but it is a reduced annuity — your pension is cut by 5% for every year you are under age 62. Because it is reduced, it does not meet the unreduced annuity requirement for the supplement.
| Retirement Type | Supplement Eligible? |
|---|---|
| MRA + 30 years of service | Yes |
| Age 60 + 20 years of service | Yes |
| Special Provision (age 50/20 or any/25) | Yes |
| Involuntary early retirement | Yes (starts at MRA) |
| MRA + 10 years (reduced annuity) | No |
| Disability retirement | No |
| Deferred annuity | No |
| Age 62 or older at retirement | No |
How OPM Calculates Your FERS Supplement
The calculation is not simple, but understanding the process helps you estimate what you will receive. OPM follows a specific multi-step process to determine the supplement amount.
Step 1: OPM asks the Social Security Administration (SSA) to estimate what your full Social Security benefit would be at age 62, based on your entire earnings history — including any non-federal jobs you held.
Step 2: That estimated benefit is then prorated based on the fraction of your career spent in FERS-covered federal employment. OPM divides your years of FERS service by 40 (the number of years in a full career for Social Security purposes).
Step 3: The prorated amount becomes your monthly FERS supplement.
The formula looks like this:
Estimated SS benefit at 62 × (Years of FERS service ÷ 40) = Monthly FERS Supplement
This formula means that the supplement only reflects the Social Security credit you earned while working under FERS. If you worked 15 years in the private sector and 25 years under FERS, the supplement is based only on the 25 FERS years. You would still receive credit for those private-sector years when you actually claim Social Security at 62.
The Quick Estimation Shortcut
FedWeek’s FERS supplement calculator suggests a rough method: take your estimated Social Security benefit at age 62, divide by 40, and multiply by your years of FERS service. The closer you are to retirement, the more accurate this estimate becomes.
For example, if your Social Security statement shows an estimated benefit of $2,000 per month at age 62 and you have 30 years of FERS service:
$2,000 ÷ 40 = $50 per year of FERS service
$50 × 30 years = $1,500 per month
This estimate will likely be slightly low because OPM uses a more detailed calculation that accounts for your actual earnings record year by year. But it gives you a reasonable ballpark to plan around.
Three Real-World Calculation Scenarios
Scenario 1: Lisa, the General FERS Employee
Lisa is a GS-13 federal employee with a high-3 average salary of $105,000. She retires at her MRA of 57 with 30 years of FERS service. Her Social Security statement estimates a benefit of $2,200 per month at age 62.
| Detail | Lisa’s Numbers |
|---|---|
| Estimated SS benefit at 62 | $2,200/month |
| Years of FERS service | 30 |
| Proration factor | 30 ÷ 40 = 0.75 |
| Monthly FERS supplement | $2,200 × 0.75 = $1,650 |
Lisa will receive $1,650 per month on top of her basic FERS annuity from the day she retires until the month she turns 62. That is $19,800 per year in additional income. Her basic annuity is $105,000 × 0.01 × 30 = $31,500 per year, so the supplement increases her total annual retirement income from $31,500 to $51,300 during those bridge years.
Scenario 2: Marcus, the Law Enforcement Officer
Marcus is a federal law enforcement officer who retires at age 50 with 25 years of covered service. His high-3 salary is $110,000 and his estimated Social Security benefit at 62 is $2,400 per month.
| Detail | Marcus’s Numbers |
|---|---|
| Estimated SS benefit at 62 | $2,400/month |
| Years of FERS service | 25 |
| Proration factor | 25 ÷ 40 = 0.625 |
| Monthly FERS supplement | $2,400 × 0.625 = $1,500 |
Marcus receives a supplement of $1,500 per month. His basic annuity under the special provision formula is: ($110,000 × 0.017 × 20) + ($110,000 × 0.01 × 5) = $37,400 + $5,500 = $42,900 per year. With the supplement, his total income is $42,900 + $18,000 = $60,900 per year.
Because Marcus retired at 50 and his MRA is 57, the earnings test will not apply to his supplement for the first seven years. He can work a second career and earn any amount without losing a dollar of the supplement until he turns 57.
Scenario 3: Angela, the Air Traffic Controller
Angela is an air traffic controller who hits mandatory retirement at age 56 with 22 years of service. Her high-3 is $130,000 and her estimated Social Security benefit at 62 is $2,600 per month.
| Detail | Angela’s Numbers |
|---|---|
| Estimated SS benefit at 62 | $2,600/month |
| Years of FERS service | 22 |
| Proration factor | 22 ÷ 40 = 0.55 |
| Monthly FERS supplement | $2,600 × 0.55 = $1,430 |
Angela’s basic annuity is ($130,000 × 0.017 × 20) + ($130,000 × 0.01 × 2) = $44,200 + $2,600 = $46,800 per year. The supplement adds $17,160 annually, bringing her total to $63,960 until she turns 62.
The Earnings Test That Can Shrink Your Supplement
The FERS supplement is subject to an annual earnings test identical to the one Social Security uses for beneficiaries under full retirement age. If you earn income above a set limit after retirement, your supplement gets reduced. For 2025, the earnings limit is $23,480 per year.
The reduction formula is straightforward: for every $2 you earn above the limit, your supplement is reduced by $1. OPM sends annual earnings surveys to more than 77,000 supplement recipients each spring to assess their income. These surveys are mailed in April and must be returned by early June.
The earnings test does not begin at your retirement date for everyone. For regular FERS employees, it starts immediately. For special provision employees (law enforcement, firefighters, ATCs), the test does not apply until the retiree reaches their Minimum Retirement Age.
What Counts as “Earned Income”
Not all income triggers the earnings test. OPM follows the same rules Social Security uses to define earned income.
| Counts as Earned Income | Does NOT Count |
|---|---|
| Wages from employment | FERS annuity payments |
| Self-employment income | Social Security benefits |
| Bonuses and commissions | TSP withdrawals |
| Severance pay | Investment income (dividends, interest) |
| Consulting fees | Rental income |
| Tips | Pension payments from other sources |
The distinction is important. A retiree who earns $50,000 in rental income and $10,000 in stock dividends would have zero earned income for purposes of the test. Only wages and self-employment income count.
Earnings Test Example: Roger’s Story
Roger retired on August 31, 2023, under FERS at age 57 with 32 years of service. He went back to work part-time after retiring. In his first earnings survey from OPM, he reported $25,000 in earned income from September through December 2023.
| Step | Calculation |
|---|---|
| Earned income (Sept–Dec 2023) | $25,000 |
| 2023 earnings limit | $21,240 |
| Excess earnings | $25,000 − $21,240 = $3,760 |
| Annual reduction ($1 per $2 over) | $3,760 ÷ 2 = $1,880 |
| Monthly reduction | $1,880 ÷ 12 = $157/month |
Roger’s supplement was reduced by $157 per month starting with his July 2024 FERS payment (paid August 1, 2024). He will receive his next survey in spring 2025 when he reports his 2024 earnings. If his income drops below the limit in a future year, he can request that OPM restore his full supplement by providing proof of his lower earnings.
Earnings Test Example: Josie the Federal LEO
Josie is a federal law enforcement officer who retired at age 54 on December 31, 2024, with 20 years of service. Her birth date is November 15, 1970, making her MRA 57. She receives a FERS supplement of $1,400 per month ($16,800 per year).
| Timeline | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Jan 2025 – Nov 2027 | Full supplement paid regardless of income — earnings test does not apply before MRA |
| Nov 15, 2027 | Josie reaches MRA of 57 — earnings test begins |
| Spring 2028 | First earnings survey sent — Josie reports income from Nov 15–Dec 31, 2027 only |
| Josie earns $6,000 in that period | No reduction — well below the earnings limit |
| Spring 2029 | Second survey — Josie reports all 2028 earnings |
| If 2028 earnings exceed the limit | Supplement reduced starting July 2029 payment |
| Nov 15, 2032 | Josie turns 62 — supplement ends permanently |
Josie had three full years of earning unlimited income after retirement before the test kicked in. This is one of the biggest advantages for special provision employees. A regular FERS employee retiring at 57 would face the earnings test immediately.
When Earnings Eliminate the Supplement Entirely
If your earned income is high enough, the earnings test can reduce your supplement to zero. The full reduction scenario works like this:
Suppose your annual supplement is $12,000 ($1,000 per month) and you earn $42,960 in a given year when the earnings limit is $18,960.
| Step | Calculation |
|---|---|
| Earned income | $42,960 |
| Earnings limit | $18,960 |
| Excess earnings | $42,960 − $18,960 = $24,000 |
| Reduction ($1 per $2 over) | $24,000 ÷ 2 = $12,000 |
| Your annual supplement | $12,000 |
| Result | Supplement reduced to $0 |
The $12,000 reduction equals your entire supplement, so it is wiped out completely for that year. If your earnings drop in a later year, you can submit proof to OPM and request reinstatement of the supplement.
The Supplement Ends the Month You Turn 62
Every FERS supplement terminates at the same point: the first day of the month in which you reach age 62. This is true regardless of whether you are a regular FERS employee or a special provision retiree. The supplement ends at 62 for all FERS participants.
At that point, you become eligible to apply for actual Social Security retirement benefits. Your Social Security benefit will be based on your full earnings record — including private-sector work, military service, and any other Social Security-covered employment. The transition from the supplement to Social Security is not automatic. You must apply for Social Security benefits separately through the SSA.
One important detail: the supplement does not receive Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs). Your basic FERS annuity may receive COLAs depending on your age and retirement type, but the supplement amount stays flat from the day it begins until the day it ends. Over five or six years, inflation can erode its purchasing power by 15–20%.
Surviving Spouses Can Receive the Supplement Too
The FERS supplement is not limited to retirees. A surviving spouse of a FERS retiree may also qualify under specific conditions. The surviving spouse requirements are:
- Entitled to a current spouse survivor annuity
- Under age 60
- Entitled to Social Security survivor benefits based on the deceased annuitant’s FERS-covered employment at age 60
- Not currently eligible for Social Security mother, father, or disability benefits based on the deceased’s account
The spousal supplement terminates when the surviving spouse reaches age 60 — not 62 like the retiree’s supplement. At 60, the surviving spouse becomes eligible for Social Security survivor benefits and the supplement is no longer needed.
The surviving spouse’s own Social Security benefit (earned from their own work history) does not affect eligibility for the spousal supplement. OPM only looks at whether they qualify for Social Security survivor benefits based on the deceased retiree’s account.
Pros and Cons of the FERS Supplement
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Bridges the income gap between retirement and Social Security at age 62 | Subject to the annual earnings test that can reduce or eliminate the benefit |
| No separate application needed — OPM includes it automatically with your annuity | Does not receive COLAs, so inflation erodes its value over time |
| Special provision employees get years of earnings-test-free income before reaching MRA | Congress has proposed eliminating it multiple times, creating uncertainty |
| Can be worth $1,000–$1,800+ per month depending on salary and service | Calculation is complex and hard to estimate accurately before retirement |
| Surviving spouses may also qualify under specific conditions | Ends abruptly at age 62 regardless of whether you have applied for Social Security |
| Based on your actual FERS earnings record, not a flat rate | Only reflects federal FERS service — employees with short federal careers get smaller supplements |
Mistakes That Cost FERS Retirees Real Money
Mistake #1: Assuming the MRA+10 retirement qualifies. Many employees retire at their MRA with 10–29 years of service and expect to receive the supplement. This retirement path produces a reduced annuity, and reduced annuities do not qualify for the supplement. The consequence is a gap of potentially thousands of dollars per month until age 62.
Mistake #2: Ignoring the earnings test. Retirees who take a second job or start a consulting business often forget that their supplement is subject to an annual earnings test. Earning just a few thousand dollars above the limit triggers a dollar-for-dollar reduction at the $1-for-$2 rate.
Mistake #3: Counting investment income as “safe.” Some retirees avoid working because they fear any income will reduce their supplement. Investment income, rental income, TSP withdrawals, and pension payments do not count as earned income. Only wages and self-employment income trigger the earnings test.
Mistake #4: Failing to report reduced earnings to OPM. If your earnings drop below the limit after a year of high income, your supplement can be restored. But OPM does not automatically adjust your payment. You must provide proof of lower earnings and request reinstatement.
Mistake #5: Not applying for Social Security at 62. The supplement ends the month you turn 62, but Social Security benefits do not start automatically. If you do not apply for Social Security before your 62nd birthday, you could face a gap in income between when the supplement stops and when your Social Security payments begin. File your Social Security application 3–4 months before turning 62.
Mistake #6: Forgetting the supplement has no COLA. Retirees who plan their budgets around the initial supplement amount may find that after five or six years of inflation, the payment buys significantly less. Building a small annual inflation buffer into your retirement budget prevents this surprise.
Mistake #7: Special provision employees not knowing their MRA. A law enforcement officer who retires at 50 might assume the earnings test starts immediately. It does not start until MRA (typically 57). Knowing this allows you to earn unlimited income during those early years without losing a cent of the supplement.
Do’s and Don’ts for FERS Supplement Recipients
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Do check your Social Security statement annually to estimate your supplement amount — the closer to retirement, the more accurate | Don’t assume every immediate FERS retirement qualifies for the supplement — MRA+10 retirees are excluded |
| Do return OPM’s annual earnings survey on time every spring — late responses can cause unnecessary payment disruptions | Don’t ignore the earnings test if you plan to work after retiring — even modest excess earnings trigger reductions |
| Do file for Social Security benefits 3–4 months before your 62nd birthday to avoid an income gap | Don’t count on the supplement receiving COLAs — it stays flat, so plan for inflation |
| Do keep records of all post-retirement earnings in case you need to prove a decrease to OPM | Don’t confuse earned income with investment or rental income — only wages and self-employment count for the test |
| Do understand your MRA if you are a special provision employee — you may have years of earnings-test-free supplement income | Don’t assume the supplement will exist forever — Congress has proposed eliminating it in past budget proposals |
Will Congress Eliminate the FERS Supplement?
Multiple federal budget proposals over the past decade have included provisions to eliminate the FERS Special Retirement Supplement for new retirees. These proposals have appeared in both Republican and Democratic budget plans as a cost-cutting measure. The supplement has remained intact so far, but the repeated proposals create real uncertainty for employees planning their retirement.
The argument for elimination is cost-based: OPM pays the supplement to tens of thousands of retirees each year, and the benefit was not funded the same way Social Security is. The argument against elimination is that FERS was designed with the supplement as an integral part of the system. Removing it would fundamentally change the retirement deal that federal employees were promised.
Employees who are within five years of retirement should monitor legislative proposals closely. If the supplement were eliminated, the most likely approach would be to grandfather current retirees and apply the change only to future retirees. But nothing is guaranteed, and planning for the possibility that the supplement may not exist when you retire is a smart hedge.
OPM’s Annual Earnings Survey Process
Each spring, OPM mails earnings survey forms to every FERS retiree who receives the supplement. The surveys go out in April and must be returned by early June. The survey asks you to report all earned income you received during the prior calendar year.
If your earnings exceeded the exempt amount, OPM will calculate the reduction and apply it to your supplement starting with the July payment of that year (paid on August 1). The reduction remains in effect for 12 months until the next survey cycle.
If you do not return the survey, OPM may suspend your supplement entirely until you respond. This is not a penalty — it is a safeguard. OPM cannot verify your eligibility without earnings data, so the supplement is paused until they receive your information.
Reporting Timeline for the Earnings Survey
| When | What Happens |
|---|---|
| April | OPM mails earnings survey to supplement recipients |
| Early June | Deadline to return the completed survey |
| June–July | OPM reviews earnings and calculates any reduction |
| July payment (paid Aug 1) | Adjusted supplement amount takes effect |
| Following April | Next survey cycle begins |
How the FERS Supplement Interacts With Your Other Retirement Income
The supplement is separate from your basic FERS annuity and your TSP, but it is paid together with your annuity as a single monthly deposit. On your annuity statement, the supplement appears as a distinct line item. When the supplement ends at 62, your monthly OPM payment will drop by the supplement amount.
Planning for this drop is essential. Many retirees treat the supplement as permanent income and are shocked when their OPM payment suddenly decreases. The supplement ending at 62 should be the trigger to begin Social Security benefits, start TSP withdrawals, or both.
The supplement does not affect your TSP in any way. You can withdraw from your TSP at any time after separating from service (subject to TSP rules), and those withdrawals are not counted as earned income for the earnings test. Similarly, your FERS annuity itself has no impact on the supplement amount — they are calculated independently.
Special Rules for Transferred FERS Employees
Employees who transferred from CSRS to FERS have a hybrid retirement benefit with both a CSRS component and a FERS component. The FERS supplement for these employees is based only on their FERS-covered service, not their total federal career.
If you spent 10 years under CSRS and 20 years under FERS, your supplement proration factor would be 20 ÷ 40 = 0.50. The 10 CSRS years do not count toward the supplement because Social Security taxes were not withheld during CSRS service.
This can result in a smaller supplement than expected. However, transferred employees often have a higher overall annuity because the CSRS component of their pension uses the more generous CSRS formula (1.5% for the first 5 years, 1.75% for the next 5, and 2% for years over 10).
FAQs
Can I receive the FERS supplement and Social Security at the same time?
No. The supplement ends the month you turn 62. At that point, you become eligible for Social Security retirement benefits, but you must apply separately through the SSA.
Does the FERS supplement count as taxable income?
Yes. The supplement is included in your gross FERS annuity and is subject to federal income tax, just like your basic pension payment.
Can I postpone the FERS supplement to get a larger amount later?
No. The supplement is calculated at a fixed amount when you retire and does not increase if you delay receiving it. There is no advantage to postponement.
Is the FERS supplement reduced if I receive military retired pay?
No. Military retired pay is not considered earned income for the earnings test. Only wages and self-employment income trigger a reduction.
Do TSP withdrawals reduce my FERS supplement?
No. TSP withdrawals are not earned income. They have no effect on the supplement amount or the annual earnings test.
Can disability retirees receive the FERS supplement?
No. FERS disability retirees are excluded from the supplement. They receive a separate disability benefit formula that does not include the bridge payment.
Does the FERS supplement receive COLAs?
No. The supplement stays at the same dollar amount from the day it begins until it ends at age 62. It does not adjust for inflation.
Will I automatically receive the supplement when I retire?
Yes. There is no separate form or application. If you qualify, OPM includes the supplement with your regular FERS annuity payment.
Can my supplement be restored after an earnings test reduction?
Yes. If your earned income drops below the exempt amount in a later year, you can provide OPM with proof of lower earnings and request full reinstatement.
Does rental income count for the earnings test?
No. Rental income, dividends, interest, and capital gains are not earned income. Only wages and net self-employment earnings count toward the annual limit.
Can a surviving spouse receive the FERS supplement?
Yes. A surviving spouse under age 60 who is entitled to a current spouse survivor annuity and Social Security survivor benefits based on the retiree’s record may qualify.
What happens if I do not return OPM’s earnings survey?
OPM may suspend your supplement until you respond. The survey is required annually, and failure to return it can result in a temporary loss of the supplement payment.
Is the FERS supplement the same as Social Security?
No. The supplement is paid by OPM, not the Social Security Administration. It approximates the Social Security benefit earned during FERS service but is a separate federal benefit.
Can I receive the supplement if I retire under a RIF?
Yes. Employees who retire under a reduction in force or discontinued service retirement qualify, but the supplement does not begin until they reach their Minimum Retirement Age.