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Frequently asked questions about the Federal retirement systems.
Introduction:
As a Congressional employee you have the possibility of contributing a portion of your monthly salary towards one of three retirement systems, based on your previous Federal service, if any. These three programs are, the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), the Civil Service Retirement System Offset (CSRS-Offset), and the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS)
If you have been previously employed with the Federal Government and are now returning, you may be eligible to elect coverage under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS): If you were covered by CSRS or another Federal civilian retirement system on December 31, 1983, if separated on or after December 31, 1983, the break in service has been less than 366 days, you have not received a refund of your contributions to the CSRS or another Federal civilian retirement system since June 14, 1984, you have not ceased to be covered by CSRS after December 31, 1983, while performing service in the Legislative branch.
If you do not meet the above requirements, you will be covered by Social Security (FICA), but you may also be eligible to participate in the CSRS Offset System if you have 5 or more years of creditable Federal civilian service and were previously covered by CSRS or the Foreign Service Retirement System during some portion of that service.
If you have been rehired after a break in service of 4 calendar days or more and meet the above eligibility requirements, and elect such coverage, you may within 6 months of being rehired elect to transfer to the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).
If you are a new employee and do not meet the above requirements, you will automatically be covered by FERS.
If you have CSRS or CSRS Offset entitlement and did not elect coverage or are in an exempt position, you do not have retirement coverage.
Information regarding these programs are available by clicking the icons at the top of this page, official copies of the program booklets may be obtained by using the forms request page, or by calling a Human Resources Specialist in the Office of Personnel and Benefits at (202) 225-2450.
If you are participating in the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) the contribution rate is 7.5% of your gross monthly salary. If you are participating in the Civil Service Retirement Offset System (CSRS-Offset) the contribution rate is the difference between the normal withholding for the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), currently 7.5% of gross salary, and the Old Age, Survivor, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) portion of Social Security, currently 6.2% of gross salary. The difference, 1.3% of your gross salary, is the current withholding for the Civil Service Retirement Offset System. If you are participating in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) the contribution rate is equal to 7.5% less the percentage of salary you contribute to the (OASDI) portion of Social Security, or 1.3% of your gross monthly salary.
Approximately 6 months prior to your anticipated retirement date, contact a Human Resources Specialist at (202) 225-2450 to obtain the appropriate application forms and a tentative annuity computation.