The American Postal Workers Union (APWU), National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU), and the Postal Service have signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) establishing an optional or Voluntary Early Retirement (VER) program.
As part of the agreement, full-time career employees who retire under this program will receive a total incentive of $15,000, disbursed in two installments: $10,000 on August 15, 2025, and $5,000 on August 28, 2026. Part-time employees are eligible for prorated incentives. To participate, employees must submit their decision no later than March 7, 2025.
This isn’t the first time the Postal Service has offered optional or early retirement incentives. Similar $15,000 programs were implemented in 2009 and 2012, resulting in the retirement of approximately 2,500 and 3,000 employees, respectively. However, a 2018 VER offer provided little financial value and saw limited participation.
This incentive will not be available to:
- Employees who have received a Notice of Removal or Letter of Decision as of the effective date of retirement or voluntary resignation.
- Employees who separate via disability retirement.
- Employees who separate via transfer to another Federal Agency.
Employees must indicate on or before March 7, 2025, their Intent to participate in the incentive program and separate effective April 30, 2025.
- Eligibility for optional or VERA retirement, with incentive, will be based exclusively on an April 30, 2025, effective date.
- Eligible employees who have already scheduled a retirement date earlier than April 30, 2025, may retire on their scheduled date and receive the incentive.
- Eligible employees who have already scheduled a retirement date that is later than April 30, 2025, must change their date to April 30, 2025, and meet retirement eligibility in order to receive the incentive.
- Employees who indicate they are taking a VER and wish to revoke their decision must do so on or before March 7, 2025. In the event a VER group counseling appointment is not available for an employee who met the conditions identified above, the employee may withdraw their VER application in writing by close of business on April 18, 2025.
All eligible employees will receive an offer letter and additional information from the Postal Service the week of Feb. 3 via First-Class Mail, so be sure your mailing address is accurate.
If you accept the incentive and then wish to rejoin the Postal Service, you must return the incentive payment unless two years have elapsed between the date of retirement and the date of rehire.
If you’re considering early retirement, reach out to an FRC® certified advisor to make sure you’re retirement ready.
https://apwu.org/news/voluntary-early-retirement-incentives/apwu-and-usps-agree-one-time-retirement-incentive-early
https://www.npmhu.org/media/news/one-time-retirement-incentive
