What Is the FERS Minimum Retirement Age (MRA)?
The FERS Minimum Retirement Age (MRA) is the earliest age at which you can retire if you have enough years of service. It is not a single number — it slides between 55 and 57 depending on the year you were born.
- MRA ranges from 55 (born before 1948) to 57 (born 1970 or later).
- Reaching your MRA only matters when paired with enough years of service.
- MRA + 30 years gives an immediate, unreduced annuity.
- MRA + 10 years is allowed but the annuity is reduced unless postponed.
The full MRA chart
| Year of birth | Minimum Retirement Age |
|---|---|
| Before 1948 | 55 |
| 1948–1952 | 55 plus 2–10 months |
| 1953–1964 | 56 |
| 1965–1969 | 56 plus 2–10 months |
| 1970 or later | 57 |
Within the transition bands, the MRA increases by two months for each birth year. For example, someone born in 1966 has an MRA of 56 and 4 months, and someone born in 1968 has an MRA of 56 and 8 months. Anyone born in 1970 or later has a flat MRA of 57.
Age alone is not enough
Hitting your MRA is only half the equation. To retire you also need a qualifying combination of age and creditable service. The main FERS pathways are:
| Age | Years of service | Result |
|---|---|---|
| MRA | 30 | Immediate, unreduced annuity |
| 60 | 20 | Immediate, unreduced annuity |
| 62 | 5 | Immediate, unreduced annuity |
| MRA | 10 | Reduced annuity (MRA+10) |
Why MRA + 30 is the popular target
The MRA + 30 pathway is attractive because it produces a full annuity at the earliest possible age for long-career employees, and it makes you eligible for the FERS Special Retirement Supplement that bridges income until age 62. Employees who started young can sometimes reach MRA + 30 in their late 50s.
Find your earliest date with the retirement eligibility calculator, then estimate the resulting pension with the FERS calculator.
What is my MRA if I was born in 1969?
Your MRA is 56 and 10 months. Birth years 1965–1969 add two months per year on top of 56.
Can I retire at my MRA with only 10 years?
Yes, under the MRA+10 provision, but the annuity is reduced by 5% for each year you are under age 62 — unless you postpone it.
Does unused sick leave help me reach my MRA?
No. Sick leave adds to the service used to compute your annuity, but it does not count toward the service needed to become eligible.
Authoritative reference: OPM — FERS eligibility. This site is not affiliated with the U.S. government.