If your agency undergoes a major reorganization, reduction in force (RIF), or transfer of function, and a significant percentage of the employees will be separated, or will be reduced in pay, the head of your agency can ask the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to permit early optional retirement for eligible employees.

By permitting early optional retirement, OPM can lessen the impact of involuntary separations and demotions.

If the head of your agency gets approval from OPM to permit early optional retirements, eligible employees will be notified of the opportunity to retire voluntarily.

If you have at least 25 years of service, or you are at least age 50 and have as much as 20 years of service, you may retire voluntarily on an immediate annuity. (The annuity is reduced by 2 percent for each year you are under age 55.)

At least 5 years of your service must be civilian service, and you must have been employed under the Civil Service Retirement System for at least 1 year out of the last 2 years preceding retirement.

Source:  OMP RI 83-6