No more paper: Navigating OPM’s new digital retirement process

OPM recently announced that over 95% of retirement applications are now submitted electronically, signaling an end to an agency long defined by physical files, snail mail and manual data entry. With the full launch of the Online Retirement Application (ORA), OPM has officially reached its "Last Day of Paper." While June figures are still pending, May data showed that digital submissions already accounted for 70% to 75% of all applications.

The mission behind ORA is simple: make retirement seamless. By eliminating the physical transport of documents between agencies and payroll offices, the digital system provides better tracking and slashes the risk of human error — the kind that often crops up during manual processing.

The scale of this shift is massive. OPM reports that ORA managed more than 155,000 applications last year. To put that in perspective, processing over 100,000 new retirees in a single year is a rare feat — it has only happened nine times since 2000 — including high-volume years like 2013 and 2025.

While the 2025 data is currently missing totals from November and December, early indicators for 2026 suggest the momentum is holding steady, with nearly 100,000 claims processed through May.

It is possible that OPM's numbers include claims still being worked on. Early data for 2026 suggests another busy year — with nearly 100,000 claims processed through May.

Efficiency is also on the rise. Between January and May, digital claims were finalized in 34 to 66 days on average — a significant improvement over traditional paper-based methods.

October:   

• Digital claims processed: 1,686 in an average of 45 days 

• Total claims processed: 8,751 in an average of 79 days 

November:   

• Digital claims processed: 4,363 in an average of 38 days 

• Total claims processed: 8,707 in an average of 66 days 

December:   

• Digital claims processed: 3,506 in an average of 40 days 

• Total claims processed: 9,428 in an average of 67 days 

January:   

• Digital claims processed: 6,465 in an average of 48 days 

• Total claims processed: 15,571 in an average of 77 days 

February:   

• Digital claims processed: 7,054 in an average of 34 days 

• Total claims processed: 18,149 in an average of 71 days 

March:   

• Digital claims processed: 10,817 in an average of 39 days 

• Total claims processed: 22,237 in an average of 60 days 

April:   

• Digital claims processed: 7,394 in an average of 50 days 

• Total claims processed: 17,175 in an average of 78 days 

May:   

• Digital claims processed: 8,761 in an average of 66 days 

• Total claims processed: 19,433 in an average of 87 days 

Modernization isn't just about filing; it's about getting paid faster. OPM is now beginning the approval process while final payroll details are being wrapped up. The new target? Delivering the first pension payment within seven days of retirement for complete applications submitted by a worker's final day on the job.

The digital transition also applies to former employees eligible for deferred or postponed retirement. Although the RI 79-9 paper form may still appear online, ORA is now the mandatory portal for these applications. If you have already submitted a paper file, OPM recommends checking in to see if you can resubmit digitally. Agencies are no longer the gatekeepers for these claims; their role is now to help you navigate ORA so you can take control of the process yourself.

To support this shift, OPM has revamped its online resources for planning and applying: https://www.opm.gov/retirement-center/csrs-information/planning-and-applying/. Here is the essential guidance for your application (pay close attention to the Application tips to avoid common delays):

Applying for retirement

To get payments from CSRS or FERS, you must apply using the Online Retirement Application (ORA) platform. 

How to submit your retirement application

If you have been out of federal service for more than 30 days, you must send your application directly to OPM through the ORA portal. If you are still working, talk to your human resources office to start the process.

If you are still working, contact your human resources office to start your application through ORA. 

Application processing

Processing your retirement involves your former agency, the payroll office, and finally OPM, which approves your payments.

Reducing delays in processing

You can help avoid delays by applying early and making sure your Official Personnel Folder (OPF) is complete. Also, review our Application Tips to see if you need to include any extra documents. 

If you apply early, your human resources office can finish their part before you retire. 

How your application is processed

Your human resources office

Your HR office does the following to process your application: 

• Verify any service not fully documented in your OPF. If documentation is missing, verification may be obtained by contacting federal record centers. If the human resources office is unable to obtain verification, OPM will complete verification upon receipt of your retirement application and records.  However, this process will cause a delay in processing. 

• Transfer your enrollment under the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program to OPM. 

• Transfer your coverage under the Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) program to OPM. 

• Prepare your separation Notification of Personnel Action (SF 50) 

• Complete the human resources checklist and send your retirement application package to the payroll office. 

Your payroll office

Once HR finishes, your payroll office will: 

• Authorize your final paycheck and lump sum payment for unused annual leave. 

• Prepare your Individual Retirement Record (IRR), SF 2806 (CSRS) or SF 3100 (FERS), which reflects service, salary history, and annual retirement deductions. 

• Complete the payroll checklist and submit the final retirement application package to OPM. 

Opm claim processing

Once OPM receives your application, they will: 

• Send you a welcome notice with your Civil Service Annuitant (CSA) claim number. 

• Obtain any missing information or documents from your retirement application package. 

• Determine your eligibility for an annuity and to continue health and life insurance benefits. 

• Calculate your annuity amount. 

• Send you information about your ability to pay an unpaid deposit or redeposit. 

• Authorize your annuity payments which are paid by the Department of the Treasury. 

• Provide you with your retirement benefits booklet which is available through Retirement Services Online. 

Your csa claim number

When OPM gets your application, they will send you a welcome notice with your Civil Service Annuitant (CSA) claim number. This number looks like A8DXXXXX0. You must use this number whenever you contact OPM. 

With your CSA number, you can log in to Retirement Services Online (RSO). There, you can track your application and update your tax withholding, address, and direct deposit. RSO will be your main portal for managing benefits. 

If you have questions before you receive your claim number

If you need to contact OPM early, check your status on the ORA platform first. If it hasn't been sent to OPM yet, then contact your former HR office. 

If you didn't use ORA, contact your former HR office to see when they sent your package to OPM. Former employees can contact OPM directly by phone, mail, or help request. 

Annuity payment schedule

Monthly payments are sent on the first business day of the month for the month before. For example, your June 1 payment is for May. 

Time frame for processing application

For current times, visit our Retirement Processing Times page. 

If your records are complete, your application may be processed faster than average. However, it can take longer if we have to contact you or your agency for more info. 

Deferred retirement

Deferred retirement is for former employees who left before they were eligible for an immediate annuity. Your annuity starts once you reach the required age and service years (like age 62 with 5 years). Apply through ORA at least 60 days before you want your payments to start. 

Note that health and life insurance cannot be restarted with a deferred retirement. To apply, create an ORA account, verify your ID with Login.gov, and submit your application. Be ready with your service dates, military info, and any previous refund or workers' comp data. 

Postponed retirement

Postponed retirement is different. It is for those who left at or after minimum retirement age with 10+ years of service but waited to start payments. Unlike deferred retirement, this may let you restart health and life insurance if you had them for the five years before you left. 

You must also use ORA and apply at least 60 days before your start date. This date must be the first of a month and before your 62nd birthday. This is critical " — " if you wait until age 62, it becomes a deferred retirement, and you lose your insurance benefits forever. 

To apply, create an ORA account and verify your ID. Provide the same info as deferred retirement, plus your start date and insurance info. 

This is a bold step forward, but it isn't a magic fix. While ORA breaks the slow paper chains of the past, accuracy remains paramount.

Delays can still happen if you have missing service info, court orders or need Social Security info.

Financial experts still advise keeping a six-month cash reserve while your retirement is finalized. Many employees strategically save annual leave for a lump-sum payout, which is why retirement spikes are common at the end of the leave year.

The "Last Day of Paper" marks a new era for the federal workforce, offering a transparent and efficient route to retirement. For OPM, it's a tool to manage growing retiree numbers with precision. Ultimately, the success of this digital age will depend on clear communication and the workforce's ability to adapt to these new rules.

Here is where employees as well as former employees who are applying for a deferred or a postponed retirement can begin the process: https://retire.opm.gov/portal