1. What is FERS Length of Service?

The FERS (Federal Employees Retirement System) Length of Service calculation determines the total creditable service time for federal employees, which is used to calculate retirement benefits.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the FERS formula:

Where:

• Total creditable service — All months of federal service that count toward retirement
• Fractional months — Any partial months of service are not counted

Explanation: The calculation converts total months of service into complete years and months, dropping any partial months.

3. Importance of Length of Service Calculation

Details: Accurate length of service calculation is crucial for determining retirement eligibility, calculating annuity benefits, and understanding retirement options under FERS.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your total creditable service in months. The calculator will convert this to years and months format used for FERS retirement calculations.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What counts as creditable service?
A: Most federal employment, including military buyback time and certain other government service, counts toward FERS retirement.

Q2: How are partial months handled?
A: Any partial month is dropped from the calculation - only complete months count.

Q3: Does this include sick leave?
A: No, sick leave is calculated separately and added after determining basic length of service.

Q4: How does length of service affect retirement?
A: It directly impacts your annuity calculation and determines when you're eligible to retire.

Q5: Where can I find my exact creditable service?
A: Your official creditable service is shown on your SF-50s and in your Official Personnel Folder.