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