View all text of Subchapter III [§ 8331 - § 8351]
§ 8336. Immediate retirement
(a) An employee who is separated from the service after becoming 55 years of age and completing 30 years of service is entitled to an annuity.
(b) An employee who is separated from the service after becoming 60 years of age and completing 20 years of service is entitled to an annuity.
(c)
(1) An employee who is separated from the service after becoming 50 years of age and completing 20 years of service as a law enforcement officer, firefighter, nuclear materials courier, or customs and border protection officer, or any combination of such service totaling at least 20 years, is entitled to an annuity.
(2) An employee is entitled to an annuity if the employee—
(A) was a law enforcement officer or firefighter employed by the Panama Canal Company or the Canal Zone Government at any time during the period beginning March 31, 1979, and ending September 30, 1979; and
(B) is separated from the service before January 1, 2000, after becoming 48 years of age and completing 18 years of service as a law enforcement officer or firefighter, or any combination of such service totaling at least 18 years.
(3)
(A) In this paragraph—
(i) the term “affected individual” means an individual covered under this subchapter who—(I) is performing service in a covered position;(II) while on duty, becomes ill or is injured as a direct result of the performance of such duties before the date on which the individual becomes entitled to an annuity under paragraph (1) of this subsection or subsection (e), (m), or (n), as applicable;(III) because of the illness or injury described in subclause (II), is permanently unable to render useful and efficient service in the employee’s covered position, as determined by the agency in which the individual was serving when such individual incurred the illness or injury; and(IV) is appointed to a position in the civil service that—(aa) is not a covered position; and(bb) is within an agency that regularly appoints individuals to supervisory or administrative positions related to the activities of the former covered position of the individual;
(ii) the term “covered position” means a position as a law enforcement officer, customs and border protection officer, firefighter, air traffic controller, nuclear materials courier, member of the Capitol Police, or member of the Supreme Court Police.
(B) Unless an affected individual files an election described in subparagraph (E), creditable service by the affected individual in a position described in subparagraph (A)(i)(IV) shall be treated as creditable service in a covered position for purposes of this chapter and determining the amount to be deducted and withheld from the pay of the affected individual under section 8334.
(C) Subparagraph (B) shall only apply if the affected employee transitions to a position described in subparagraph (A)(i)(IV) without a break in service exceeding 3 days.
(D) The service of an affected individual shall no longer be eligible for treatment under subparagraph (B) if such service occurs after the individual—
(i) is transferred to a supervisory or administrative position related to the activities of the former covered position of the individual; or
(ii) meets the age and service requirements that would subject the individual to mandatory separation under section 8335 if such individual had remained in the former covered position.
(E) In accordance with procedures established by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, an affected individual may file an election to have any creditable service performed by the affected individual treated in accordance with this chapter without regard to subparagraph (B).
(F) Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to apply to such affected individual any other pay-related laws or regulations applicable to a covered position.
(d) An employee who—
(1) is separated from the service involuntarily, except by removal for cause on charges of misconduct or delinquency; or
(2)
(A) has been employed continuously, by the agency in which the employee is serving, for at least the 31-day period ending on the date on which such agency requests the determination referred to in subparagraph (D);
(B) is serving under an appointment that is not time limited;
(C) has not been duly notified that such employee is to be involuntarily separated for misconduct or unacceptable performance;
(D) is separated from the service voluntarily during a period in which, as determined by the office 1
1 So in original. Probably should be capitalized.
of Personnel Management (upon request of the agency) under regulations prescribed by the Office—(i) such agency (or, if applicable, the component in which the employee is serving) is undergoing substantial delayering, substantial reorganization, substantial reductions in force, substantial transfer of function, or other substantial workforce restructuring (or shaping);
(ii) a significant percentage of employees servicing 2
2 So in original. Probably should be “serving”.
in such agency (or component) are likely to be separated or subject to an immediate reduction in the rate of basic pay (without regard to subchapter VI of chapter 53, or comparable provisions); or(iii) identified as being in positions which are becoming surplus or excess to the agency’s future ability to carry out its mission effectively; and
(E) as determined by the agency under regulations prescribed by the Office, is within the scope of the offer of voluntary early retirement, which may be made on the basis of—
(i) 1 or more organizational units;
(ii) 1 or more occupational series or levels;
(iii) 1 or more geographical locations;
(iv) specific periods;
(v) skills, knowledge, or other factors related to a position; or
(vi) any appropriate combination of such factors;
after completing 25 years of service or after becoming 50 years of age and completing 20 years of service is entitled to an annuity. For purposes of paragraph (1) of this subsection, separation for failure to accept a directed reassignment to a position outside the commuting area of the employee concerned or to accompany a position outside of such area pursuant to a transfer of function shall not be considered to be a removal for cause on charges of misconduct or delinquency. Notwithstanding the first sentence of this subsection, an employee described in paragraph (1) of this subsection is not entitled to an annuity under this subsection if the employee has declined a reasonable offer of another position in the employee’s agency for which the employee is qualified, which is not lower than 2 grades (or pay levels) below the employee’s grade (or pay level), and which is within the employee’s commuting area.
(e) An employee who is voluntarily or involuntarily separated from the service, except by removal for cause on charges of misconduct or delinquency, after completing 25 years of service as an air traffic controller or after becoming 50 years of age and completing 20 years of service as an air traffic controller, is entitled to an annuity.
(f) An employee who is separated from the service after becoming 62 years of age and completing 5 years of service is entitled to an annuity.
(g) A Member who is separated from the service after becoming 62 years of age and completing 5 years of civilian service or after becoming 60 years of age and completing 10 years of Member service is entitled to an annuity. A Member who is separated from the service after becoming 55 years of age (but before becoming 60 years of age) and completing 30 years of service is entitled to a reduced annuity. A Member who is separated from the service, except by resignation or expulsion, after completing 25 years of service or after becoming 50 years of age and (1) completing 20 years of service or (2) serving in 9 Congresses is entitled to an annuity.
(h)
(1) A member of the Senior Executive Service who is removed from the Senior Executive Service for less than fully successful executive performance (as determined under subchapter II of chapter 43 of this title) after completing 25 years of service or after becoming 50 years of age and completing 20 years of service is entitled to an annuity.
(2) A member of the Defense Intelligence Senior Executive Service or the Senior Cryptologic Executive Service who is removed from such service for failure to be recertified as a senior executive or for less than fully successful executive performance after completing 25 years of service or after becoming 50 years of age and completing 20 years of service is entitled to an annuity.
(3) A member of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Drug Enforcement Administration Senior Executive Service who is removed from such service for failure to be recertified as a senior executive or for less than fully successful executive performance after completing 25 years of service or after becoming 50 years of age and completing 20 years of service is entitled to an annuity.
(i)
(1) An employee of the Panama Canal Commission or of an Executive agency conducting operations in the Canal Zone or Republic of Panama who is separated from the service before January 1, 2000, who was employed by the Canal Zone Government or the Panama Canal Company at any time during the period beginning March 31, 1979, and ending September 30, 1979, and who has had continuous Panama Canal service, without a break in service of more than 3 days, from that time until separation, is entitled to an annuity if the employee is separated—
(A) involuntarily, after completing 20 years of service or after becoming 48 years of age and completing 18 years of service, if the separation is a result of the implementation of any provision of the Panama Canal Treaty of 1977 and related agreements; or
(B) voluntarily, after completing 23 years of service or after becoming 48 years of age and completing 18 years of service.
(2) An employee of the Panama Canal Commission or of an Executive agency conducting operations in the Canal Zone or Republic of Panama who is separated from the service before January 1, 2000, who was employed, at a permanent duty station in the Canal Zone, by any Executive agency other than the Canal Zone Government or the Panama Canal Company at any time during the period beginning March 31, 1979, and ending September 30, 1979, and who has had continuous Panama Canal service, without a break in service of more than 3 days, from that time until separation, is entitled to an annuity if—
(A) the employee is separated involuntarily, after completing 20 years of service or after becoming 48 years of age and completing 18 years of service; and
(B) the separation is the result of the implementation of any provision of the Panama Canal Treaty of 1977 and related agreements.
(3) An employee of the Panama Canal Commission employed by that body after September 30, 1979, who is separated from the Panama Canal Commission before January 1, 2000, and who at the time of separation has a minimum of 11 years of continuous employment with the Commission (disregarding any break in service of 3 days or less) is entitled to an annuity if the employee is separated—
(A) involuntarily, after completing 20 years of service or after becoming 48 years of age and completing 18 years of service, if the separation is a result of the implementation of any provision of the Panama Canal Treaty of 1977 and related agreements; or
(B) voluntarily, after completing 23 years of service or after becoming 48 years of age and completing 18 years of service.
(4) For the purpose of this subsection—
(A) “Panama Canal service” means—
(i) service as an employee of the Canal Zone Government, the Panama Canal Company, or the Panama Canal Commission; or
(ii) service at a permanent duty station in the Canal Zone or Republic of Panama as an employee of an Executive agency conducting operations in the Canal Zone or the Republic of Panama; and
(B) “Executive agency” includes the United States District Court for the District of the Canal Zone and the Smithsonian Institution.
(j)
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (3), an employee is entitled to an annuity if he—
(A)
(i) is separated from the service after completing 25 years of service or after becoming 50 years of age and completing 20 years of service, or
(ii) is involuntarily separated, except by removal for cause on charges of misconduct or delinquency, during the 2-year period before the date on which he would meet the years of service and age requirements under clause (i),
(B) was employed in the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Indian Health Service, a tribal organization (to the extent provided in paragraph (2)), or any combination thereof, continuously from December 21, 1972, to the date of his separation, and
(C) is not entitled to preference under the Indian preference laws.
(2) Employment in a tribal organization may be considered for purposes of paragraph (1)(B) of this subsection only if—
(A) the employee was employed by the tribal organization after January 4, 1975, and immediately before such employment he was an employee of the Bureau of Indian Affairs or the Indian Health Service, and
(B) at the time of such employment such employee and the tribal organization were eligible to elect, and elected, to have the employee retain the coverage, rights, and benefits of this chapter under section 105(e)(2) of the Indian Self-Determination Act (25 U.S.C. 450i(a)(2); 3
3 See References in Text note below.
88 Stat. 2209).(3)
(A) The provisions of paragraph (1) of this subsection shall not apply with respect to any separation of any employee which occurs after the date 10 years after—
(i) the date the employee first meets the years of service and age requirements of paragraph (1)(A)(i), or
(ii) the date of the enactment of this paragraph, if the employee met those requirements before that date.
(B) For purposes of applying this paragraph with respect to any employee of the Bureau of Indian Affairs in the Department of the Interior or of the Indian Health Service in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, the Secretary of the department involved may postpone the date otherwise applicable under subparagraph (A) if—
(i) such employee consents to such postponement, and
(ii) the Secretary finds that such postponement is necessary for the continued effective operation of the agency.
The period of any postponement under this subparagraph shall not exceed 12 months and the total period of all postponements with respect to any employee shall not exceed 5 years.
(4) For the purpose of this subsection—
(A) “Bureau of Indian Affairs” means (i) the Bureau of Indian Affairs and (ii) all other organizational units in the Department of the Interior directly and primarily related to providing services to Indians and in which positions are filled in accordance with the Indian preference laws.
(B) “Indian preference laws” means section 12 of the Act of June 18, 1934 (25 U.S.C. 472; 48 Stat. 986),3 or any other provision of law granting a preference to Indians in promotions or other Federal personnel actions.
(k) A bankruptcy judge, United States magistrate judge, or Court of Federal Claims judge who is separated from service, except by removal, after becoming 62 years of age and completing 5 years of civilian service, or after becoming 60 years of age and completing 10 years of service as a bankruptcy judge, United States magistrate judge, or Court of Federal Claims judge, is entitled to an annuity.
(l) A judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces who is separated from the service after becoming 62 years of age and completing 5 years of civilian service or after completing the term of service for which he was appointed as a judge of such court is entitled to an annuity. A judge who is separated from the service before becoming 60 years of age is entitled to a reduced annuity.
(m) A member of the Capitol Police who is separated from the service after becoming 50 years of age and completing 20 years of service as a member of the Capitol Police as a law enforcement officer, or as a customs and border protection officer, or any combination of such service totaling at least 20 years, is entitled to an annuity.
(n) A member of the Supreme Court Police who is separated from the service after becoming 50 years of age and completing 20 years of service as a member of the Supreme Court Police as a law enforcement officer, or as a customs and border protection officer, or any combination of such service totaling at least 20 years, is entitled to an annuity.
(o) An annuity or reduced annuity authorized by this section is computed under section 8339 of this title.
(p)
(1) The Secretary of Defense may, during fiscal years 2002 and 2003, carry out a program under which an employee of the Department of Defense may be separated from the service entitled to an immediate annuity under this subchapter if the employee—
(A) has—
(i) completed 25 years of service; or
(ii) become 50 years of age and completed 20 years of service; and
(B) is eligible for the annuity under paragraph (2) or (3).
(2)
(A) For the purposes of paragraph (1), an employee referred to in that paragraph is eligible for an immediate annuity under this paragraph if the employee—
(i) is separated from the service involuntarily other than for cause; and
(ii) has not declined a reasonable offer of another position in the Department of Defense for which the employee is qualified, which is not lower than 2 grades (or pay levels) below the employee’s grade (or pay level), and which is within the employee’s commuting area.
(B) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(A)(i), a separation for failure to accept a directed reassignment to a position outside the commuting area of the employee concerned or to accompany a position outside of such area pursuant to a transfer of function may not be considered to be a removal for cause.
(3) For the purposes of paragraph (1), an employee referred to in that paragraph is eligible for an immediate annuity under this paragraph if the employee satisfies all of the following conditions:
(A) The employee is separated from the service voluntarily during a period in which the organization within the Department of Defense in which the employee is serving is undergoing a major organizational adjustment.
(B) The employee has been employed continuously by the Department of Defense for more than 30 days before the date on which the head of the employee’s organization requests the determinations required under subparagraph (A).
(C) The employee is serving under an appointment that is not limited by time.
(D) The employee is not in receipt of a decision notice of involuntary separation for misconduct or unacceptable performance.
(E) The employee is within the scope of an offer of voluntary early retirement, as defined on the basis of one or more of the following objective criteria:
(i) One or more organizational units.
(ii) One or more occupational groups, series, or levels.
(iii) One or more geographical locations.
(iv) Any other similar objective and nonpersonal criteria that the Office of Personnel Management determines appropriate.
(4) Under regulations prescribed by the Office of Personnel Management, the determinations of whether an employee meets—
(A) the requirements of subparagraph (A) of paragraph (3) shall be made by the Office, upon the request of the Secretary of Defense; and
(B) the requirements of subparagraph (E) of such paragraph shall be made by the Secretary of Defense.
(5) A determination of which employees are within the scope of an offer of early retirement shall be made only on the basis of consistent and well-documented application of the relevant criteria.
(6) In this subsection, the term “major organizational adjustment” means any of the following:
(A) A major reorganization.
(B) A major reduction in force.
(C) A major transfer of function.
(D) A workforce restructuring—
(i) to meet mission needs;
(ii) to achieve one or more reductions in strength;
(iii) to correct skill imbalances; or
(iv) to reduce the number of high-grade, managerial, supervisory, or similar positions.
(Pub. L. 89–554, Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 571; Pub. L. 90–83, § 1(75), Sept. 11, 1967, 81 Stat. 214; Pub. L. 92–297, § 5, May 16, 1972, 86 Stat. 144; Pub. L. 92–382, Aug. 14, 1972, 86 Stat. 539; Pub. L. 93–39, June 12, 1973, 87 Stat. 73; Pub. L. 93–350, § 5, July 12, 1974, 88 Stat. 356; Pub. L. 94–183, § 2(40), (41), Dec. 31, 1975, 89 Stat. 1059; Pub. L. 95–454, title III, § 306, title IV, § 412(a), Oct. 13, 1978, 92 Stat. 1147, 1175; Pub. L. 96–70, title I, § 1241(a), Sept. 27, 1979, 93 Stat. 471; Pub. L. 96–135, § 1(a), Dec. 5, 1979, 93 Stat. 1056; Pub. L. 97–89, title VIII, § 803, Dec. 4, 1981, 95 Stat. 1161; Pub. L. 97–253, title III, § 308(a), Sept. 8, 1982, 96 Stat. 798; Pub. L. 98–94, title XII, § 1256(b), Sept. 24, 1983, 97 Stat. 701; Pub. L. 98–353, title I, § 116(c), July 10, 1984, 98 Stat. 344; Pub. L. 98–531, § 2(b), Oct. 19, 1984, 98 Stat. 2704; Pub. L. 98–615, title III, § 304(d), Nov. 8, 1984, 98 Stat. 3219; Pub. L. 99–190, § 101(d) [title III, § 315], Dec. 19, 1985, 99 Stat. 1224, 1266; Pub. L. 100–53, § 2(c), June 18, 1987, 101 Stat. 368; Pub. L. 100–325, § 2(l), May 30, 1988, 102 Stat. 582; Pub. L. 101–194, title V, § 506(b)(7), Nov. 30, 1989, 103 Stat. 1758; Pub. L. 101–428, § 2(a), Oct. 15, 1990, 104 Stat. 928; Pub. L. 101–510, div. C, title XXXV, § 3506(a), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1846; Pub. L. 101–650, title III, §§ 306(c)(3), 321, Dec. 1, 1990, 104 Stat. 5110, 5117; Pub. L. 102–572, title IX, § 902(b)(2), Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4516; Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title IX, § 924(d)(1)(A), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2832; Pub. L. 105–261, div. A, title XI, § 1109(a), div. C, title XXXI, § 3154(e), Oct. 17, 1998, 112 Stat. 2143, 2255; Pub. L. 106–58, title VI, § 651(b), Sept. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 480; Pub. L. 106–398, § 1 [[div. A], title XI, § 1152(a)], Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1654, 1654A–320; Pub. L. 106–553, § 1(a)(2) [title III, § 308(b)(3)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2762, 2762A–87; Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title X, § 1048(i)(5), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1229; Pub. L. 107–296, title XIII, §§ 1313(b)(1), 1321(a)(4)(A), Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2294, 2297; Pub. L. 110–161, div. E, title V, § 535(a)(4), Dec. 26, 2007, 121 Stat. 2075; Pub. L. 117–225, § 3(a), Dec. 9, 2022, 136 Stat. 2293.)