Federal Employees Retirement System - Eligibility

Eligibility

Most new federal employees hired on or after January 1, 1984, are automatically covered under FERS (those newly hired and certain employees rehired between January 1, 1984, and December 31, 1986, were automatically converted to coverage under FERS on January 1, 1987). Rehired federal employees who worked prior to December 31, 1983, and have 5 years of civilian service by December 31, 1986, can choose between remaining CSRS or electing FERS within 6 months of rehire. Once an employee is covered by FERS or elects FERS coverage (from being previously covered under CSRS), the employee remains covered by FERS. Employees of Nonappropriated Fund Instrumentalities of the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security participate in a separate retirement system, except when retaining previous coverage under a different retirement system following a transfer.