A massive wave of retirements is poised to crash over the federal government as the “deferred resignation” periods for tens of thousands of employees come to a close. As detailed by FEDweek, this unprecedented exodus of talent is expected to create a surge in retirement applications that could overwhelm the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and create significant delays for those starting the next chapter of their lives. For any federal employee nearing the end of their career, this is a critical moment for careful and proactive planning.
This is not a typical retirement season. The end of the deferred resignation program, which allowed employees to remain on the payroll for months before their official separation, has created a bottleneck of departures. OPM is already seeing a significant uptick in retirement applications, with the numbers for July and August of this year already outpacing 2024 levels. This is before the main wave of deferred resignations even hits. The average processing time at OPM was already 70 days in August, and a massive influx of new applications is almost certain to extend these delays.
For a new retiree, a long processing delay is more than just an inconvenience; it can create a genuine financial hardship. While new retirees receive partial annuity payments, many find this amount insufficient to cover their living expenses, forcing them to dip into their savings at the very moment their regular paychecks stop. With a potential government shutdown also looming on October 1st, which could furlough the very employees responsible for processing retirement paperwork, the risk of a prolonged and stressful transition is higher than it has been in years.
Your Final Career Move: A Flawless Retirement Plan
In this high-stakes environment, you cannot afford to leave your retirement to chance. The decisions you make in the weeks and months ahead are permanent and will have a lasting impact on your family’s financial security. Submitting an incomplete or inaccurate retirement application now could lead to months of delays and frustration.
This is where the specialized expertise of Internal Benefit Advisors becomes the most important part of your retirement strategy. They are dedicated to educating federal employees on the intricacies of the retirement process, ensuring a smooth and successful transition into the next phase of life.
Here’s how they empower you to retire with confidence:
- Expert Retirement Paperwork Review: They can provide a thorough review of your retirement application to ensure it is accurate and complete, helping you avoid the common errors that lead to costly processing delays.
- Comprehensive Retirement and Benefits Analysis: They provide a complete analysis of your FERS/CSRS pension, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), and Social Security benefits, helping you understand all your options and make the smartest choices for your financial future.
- Empowerment Through Education: The federal retirement system is complex. Internal Benefit Advisors provides the clear, unbiased education you need to navigate every step of the process and make confident, proactive decisions for your financial well-being.
You have spent a career in public service. Your transition to a well-earned retirement should be smooth and secure.
Take the definitive step to ensure a flawless retirement. Contact Internal Benefit Advisors today for a consultation and build the secure and prosperous future you deserve.
References
- FEDweek. “Retirement Surge Likely as Deferred Resignation Periods End.”
- U.S. Office of Personnel Management. (2025). Retirement Processing Status.
- Government Executive. (2025, July). Why federal retirements are spiking this year.
- Internal Benefit Advisors. Retrieved from https://internalbenefitadvisors.com
