Discontinued Service Retirement Calculator (DSR) | Estimate Your Federal Pension
DSR Retirement Calculator
Your estimated DSR pension
Discontinued Service Retirement (DSR) is an early retirement option available to certain U.S. federal employees who are separated from their jobs involuntarily.
It allows eligible workers to begin receiving a pension immediately, even if they have not reached the standard retirement age.
What is Discontinued Service Retirement?
Discontinued Service Retirement is designed as a safety net for federal employees who lose their positions due to circumstances beyond their control.
In most cases, DSR applies when an employee is separated because of:
- Agency restructuring
- Job elimination
- Reduction in force (RIF)
- Reassignment to a distant location that the employee declines
Unlike voluntary retirement, DSR allows you to start receiving a monthly pension right away instead of waiting until a later retirement age.
Who Qualifies for DSR?
To qualify for Discontinued Service Retirement, you must meet several requirements.
1. Involuntary separation
The separation must be initiated by your employer, not by choice.
You may qualify if your job ends due to organizational changes or layoffs. However, you are generally not eligible if you are removed for misconduct or performance-related issues.
2. Age and service requirements
You must meet one of the following:
- Age 50 with at least 20 years of creditable service
- Any age with at least 25 years of service
You must also have completed at least five years of civilian federal service.
3. Additional conditions
- Be covered under a federal retirement system
- Receive formal notice of separation
- Not decline a reasonable job offer from your agency
Which retirement systems allow DSR?
Discontinued Service Retirement is available under the two main federal retirement systems:
- Civil Service Retirement System
- Federal Employees Retirement System
How the DSR Pension Works
If you qualify for DSR, you can begin receiving a monthly pension immediately after separation.
Immediate payments
Unlike standard retirement, there is no need to wait until age 60 or 62. Your annuity begins as soon as your retirement is processed.
- Your pension is calculated using the same formula as regular retirement, based on your years of service and salary.
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Under Federal Employees Retirement System:
Typically: 1% × years of service × average of your highest three years of pay
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Under Civil Service Retirement System:
A higher percentage formula is used, generally ranging from about 1.5% to 2% per year of service
Possible reductions
If you begin receiving benefits before age 62, your pension may be reduced depending on your circumstances.
For some retirees, this reduction is roughly 2% per year below age 62, though the exact amount can vary.
What Benefits Continue after DSR
If you meet eligibility requirements, you may continue receiving several federal benefits in retirement.
- Health insurance through Federal Employees Health Benefits
- Life insurance through Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance
- Retirement savings in the Thrift Savings Plan
