This is where the math starts — but don't worry, we'll keep it simple. Your FERS pension is one of the three key pillars of your federal retirement, and it's based on a straightforward formula:

Let's break down each part of that formula so you can calculate your projected lifetime income.

🧾 Understanding Your "High-3" Salary

Your High-3The average of your highest basic pay over any 36 consecutive months of federal service is the average of your highest-paid 36 consecutive months of basic pay — usually the last three years before you retire.

💡 SCEs Take Note: If you're a criminal investigator (e.g., Series 1811), Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) does count toward your High-3. That can boost your pension significantly — often by 25% or more. Learn more about Special Category Employee benefits →

🕰️ Creditable Service — What Counts?

Your years of service include more than just the calendar time you've worked. Here's what may count:

• ✅ Civilian Federal Service
  Your time in a FERS-covered position (or CSRS if converted) counts fully.
• ✅ Military Service (With Buyback)
  If you served in the military, it doesn't automatically count. You must pay a deposit to "buy back" that time. Once paid:
  • It counts toward retirement eligibility
  • It increases your pension computation
  • It's usually a great deal, especially for vets with 4+ years

  👉 Try our Military Buyback Guide to see if it's worth it for you.

• ✅ Unused Sick Leave
  At retirement, unused sick leave converts into extra service credit — 2,087 hours = 1 year of credit.
  ⚠️ Important: Sick leave does NOT count toward eligibility (you must already meet the age + years combo), but it does boost your pension once you're eligible.

🧯 SCE Reminder: Special Category Employees (LEOs, FFs, ATCs) must complete 20 years of qualifying covered service before age 57 to earn their enhanced benefits. Regular federal service after that still adds to your pension — just at a lower multiplier.

🔢 The Pension Multiplier

Your pension isn't one-size-fits-all. The multiplier depends on your age, years of service, and career type.

Scenario	Multiplier
Under 62 or <20 yrs	1.0%
Age 62+ with 20+ yrs	1.1%
SCESpecial Category Employee - Law Enforcement Officers, Firefighters, Air Traffic Controllers, and other qualifying positions first 20 yrs	1.7%
SCE after 20 yrs	1.0%

🧠 Example: If you retire at age 63 with 25 years of service and a $100,000 High-3, your pension is:
1.1% × $100,000 × 25 = $27,500/year
That's paid for life — plus COLAsCost of Living Adjustments - annual increases to your pension to help keep up with inflation after 62 (or immediately for SCEs).

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

• Can military buyback time help me retire earlier?

  ✅ Yes. Once you pay your deposit, those years count for both eligibility and computation.
  E.g., A 57-year-old with 25 years civilian + 5 years military = 30 years total → eligible for Immediate Retirement.
  Learn more about military buyback →

• Can unused sick leave help me qualify to retire?

  ❌ No. Sick leave only counts after you're eligible — it boosts your pension amount but doesn't get you "to the door."

• What if I worked part-time?

  Part-time years count toward eligibility, but your pension will be prorated based on how many hours you worked compared to full time.

• What if I had a break in service?

  If you withdrew your retirement contributions during a break, you may need to make a redeposit to get full credit. This can significantly impact your pension calculation.

• How do COLAs work?

  Cost of Living Adjustments help your pension keep up with inflation. Under FERS, you receive COLAs starting at age 62 (or immediately if you're an SCE). The adjustment is based on the Consumer Price Index. Learn more about retirement income adjustments →

💰 Maximizing Your Pension

Here are proven strategies to boost your FERS pension:

• Time your retirement right: Retiring at 62+ with 20+ years gets you the 1.1% multiplier — that's a 10% boost for life
• Buy back military time: Usually costs pennies on the dollar compared to the lifetime pension increase
• Bank your sick leave: Every 174 hours adds a month to your service computation
• Consider your High-3 timing: Promotions or step increases in your final years directly boost your pension
• Don't forget FEHB in retirement: The value of keeping federal health insurance often exceeds the pension itself