ROAD TO RETIREMENT


T


he joy of retirement. When soon-to-be retirees look forward to having more free time to spend with family and friends, or the freedom to explore new hobbies and pursue other passions after decades of


daily grind.


While many look forward to the additional free time in their day, getting through the retirement process can also be challenging and overwhelming. For civilians retiring from the federal govern- ment, it can be daunting due to its complexity and often takes a long time to complete.


In fiscal year 2023, 108,387 federal civilians retired from the government. So far in 2025, more than 33,500 federal employ- ees have retired—approximately 3,800 more than the number who left in the first three months of 2024. Due to the changing


CAREER NAVIGATOR


Navigating processes and steps for federal civilian retirement. by Rebecca Wright


political climate and the impact on the federal workforce, the average number of federal employees retiring in 2025 is uncer- tain. Being prepared for retirement sooner rather than later can offer more flexibility and greater peace of mind, especially during uncertain times.


WHAT’S YOUR PLAN? Tere are two main retirement plans that cover federal employ- ees: the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS). Te CSRS—a legacy program—is a standard pension plan that covers federal employ- ees who were hired before 1987. Employees covered by CSRS were offered a one-time opportunity in 1987 to switch to FERS, which offers multiple income sources, employer contributions and flexible savings options.


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Army AL&T Magazine


Summer 2025


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