The average processing time for federal retirement applications has risen to 79 days, a 3-day increase from September’s 76-day average. Driven by the DRP deadline, October saw an incredible 20,344 federal retirement applications received, a massive increase from the 7,095 applications received in September. OPM was able to process 8,751 claims in October, an improvement over the 7,902 claims processed in the previous month. However, there is still a backlog of nearly 35,000 applications.
OPM is expanding its Interim Pay program to reduce financial uncertainty for new retirees. Under the updated system, employees will receive at least 80% of their estimated annuity within 30 days of OPM receiving their application, with final adjustments made once the full review is complete. The agency is also hiring additional staff, improving customer service tools, and strengthening coordination with agency HR offices to reduce errors and speed processing times.
Here’s how the numbers stack up YTD*:
January 2024: 12,997
January 2025: 16,101
Increase: 23.9%
February 2024: 8,794
February 2025: 9,637
Increase: 9.6%
March 2024: 7,943
March 2025: 7,803
Decrease: 1.8%
April 2024: 6,901
April 2025: 8,332
Increase: 20.7%
May 2024: 6,751
May 2025: 15,048
Increase: 122.9%
June 2024: 6,919
June 2025:13,430
Increase: 94.1%
July 2024: 6,451
July 2025: 8,295
Increase: 28.6%
August 2024: 7,083
August 2025: 9,416
Increase: 32.9%
September 2024: 5,618
September 2025: 6.095
Increase: 8.5%
October 2024: 6,872
October 2025: 20,344
Increase: 195.5%
Jan – October 2024: 76,329
Jan – September 2025: 114,501
Increase: 50%
Mistakes or missing information in federal retirement applications can significantly delay processing, postponing your access to full benefits. The most common mistakes include incomplete personal identification details, incorrect marital status documentation, and discrepancies in federal service records.
Not sure if you’re retirement ready? Overwhelmed by navigating the complex process of federal retirement? Reach out to a Federal Retirement Consultant (FRC®) who understands your unique benefits.
*https://www.opm.gov/retirement-center/retirement-statistics/retirement-processing-status.pdf
