Federal Retirement Decision Report

Twelve sections

What's in every report

Every section is built on OPM-sourced formulas — no black box, no unexplained numbers.

Sample report — illustrative data only

What changes when you wait?

Monthly pension by retirement age

Diane Morales · GS-13 · 28 yrs service · High-3: $108,200

Age 57 · MRA

$2,976

/month pension

+ $1,839 supplement

= $4,815 total

Age 60

$3,246

/month pension

+ $2,006 supplement

= $5,252 total

Age 62 · 1.1×

$3,769

/month pension

No supplement

= $3,769 total

Break-even (age 57 vs 62): Age 92+10 more sections in full report

Report sections

1 Executive summary · 2 Side-by-side comparison · 3 Break-even analysis · 4 Survivor & spouse protection · 5 Military buyback analysis† · 6 Deferred vs. postponed retirement† · 7 FEHB retirement eligibility · 8 Three-Legged Stool Analysis · 9 Net Monthly Income Projection · 10 Assumptions & methodology · 11 Risk & sensitivity · 12 Prioritized action plan

† Included when your answers call for it.

Sample report — illustrative data only

When does waiting actually pay off?

Break-even analysis — cumulative lifetime income

Diane Morales · GS-13 · 28 yrs service · High-3: $108,200

Retire at 57

by age 80 (incl. supplement)

$932k

Retire at 60

by age 80 (incl. supplement)

$827k

Retire at 62

by age 80 (1.1× multiplier)

$814k

Pension and FERS Supplement only, in nominal dollars — no COLA or inflation adjustment, matching the report's own convention. A conservative basis: real COLAs would add to every total. Age 57 edges out age 60 because five years of earlier payments outweigh the higher pension by 80 on this basis.

Break-even age (57 → 62): 92. If you live past 92, retiring at 62 generates more total lifetime income. If you retire early and live past 85, the 25% survivor election also pays back.

Lifetime delta (57 → 62): +$-118k by age 80+10 more sections in full report

Sample report — illustrative data only

Is your spouse protected if you die first?

Survivor benefit election — cost vs. protection

Diane Morales · GS-13 · Retiring at 60 · Gross pension: $3,246/mo

0% Election

No protection

Monthly cost$0/mo

Your pension$3,246/mo

Spouse receives$0

Break-even—

Spouse receives nothing

25% Election

Partial protection

Monthly cost−$162/mo

Your pension$3,084/mo

Spouse receives$812/mo

Break-evenAge 85

Spouse consent required to waive

50% Election

Full protection

Monthly cost−$325/mo

Your pension$2,921/mo

Spouse receives$1,623/mo

Break-evenAge 85

Most common — provides full half

Key finding: The 50% election costs $325/mo but provides $1,623/mo to your spouse for life. Break-even is age 85 — if your spouse lives past 85, the full election pays out more than it cost.

This election is permanent and irrevocable once your retirement begins. Your spouse must consent in writing to waive or reduce survivor protection.

50% election break-even: Age 85+10 more sections in full report

Sample report — illustrative data only

What actually hits your bank account?

Net monthly income — deductions applied

Diane Morales · GS-13 · Retiring at 60 · Gross pension: $3,246/mo

Retiring at age 60 · deductions applied

Gross FERS annuity+$3,246

FEHB premium (Self + 1, BCBS Basic)−$287

Federal tax withholding (est.)−$340

Medicare Part B (age 65+)−$203

Survivor benefit, 25% election−$162

Estimated monthly deposit$2,784

Age 57

$2,263/mo

net deposit

Age 60

$2,784/mo

net deposit

Age 62

$3,511/mo

net deposit

Monthly delta (age 57 → 62): +$1,248/mo+10 more sections in full report

Sample report — illustrative data only

Executive summary

Plain-English narrative leading with your key finding. e.g. "Retiring at 62 instead of 57 increases your monthly pension by $847. The break-even point is age 77."

Side-by-side comparison

Monthly FERS annuity, supplement, total income, and TSP balance at each of three retirement ages. Default 57/60/62 — user-editable.

Break-even analysis

Cumulative lifetime income per scenario. Break-even age stated clearly. FERS Supplement head start shown explicitly.

Survivor & spouse protection

0% / 25% / 50% election modeled. Monthly cost, spouse income, and break-even age per election.

Military buyback analysis

Have prior military service?

Triggered by prior military service input. Deposit amount, interest to date, payback period, and monthly annuity increase.

Deferred vs. postponed retirement

Leaving early or considering MRA+10?

Triggered by early separation or MRA+10 inputs. Annuity reduction modeled, FEHB portability shown, break-even comparison presented.

FEHB retirement eligibility

5-year continuous coverage rule checked. Gap risk identified. Remediation timeline shown. Medicare Part B coordination at 65 addressed.

Three-Legged Stool Analysis

FERS pension, estimated Social Security (at ages 62/67/70), and projected TSP drawdown shown side-by-side per scenario. Quantifies total retirement income across all three legs — a figure most federal employees have never seen combined. (The planned TSP Withdrawal Report will add Monte Carlo probability modeling showing the likelihood your balance lasts to 85, 90, or 95.)

Net Monthly Income Projection

Translates gross pension into the estimated monthly deposit by applying FEHB premium, federal tax withholding, Medicare Part B (age 65+), and survivor benefit cost. Displays 'Estimated Monthly Deposit' per scenario.

Assumptions & methodology

Plain-English explanations generated from validated outputs. Every assumption disclosed. OPM source cited per formula. Reliance disclaimer embedded.

Risk & sensitivity

High-3 variance, longevity, FERS COLA cap, TSP return sensitivity, earned income test, legislative risk. Fee-only advisor recommendation with NAPFA reference. (The planned TSP Withdrawal Report will replace fixed-rate TSP sensitivity with full Monte Carlo simulation.)

Prioritized action plan

Concrete next steps ranked by financial impact. Includes agency HR deadlines, TSP contribution targets, FEHB open season timing, and survivor election guidance — so you leave with a clear to-do list, not just numbers.

Federal Retirement Decision Report

What's in every report

Your full retirement picture, in one document.