OPM Retirement Processing Times 2026: How Long You'll Actually Wait

Last Updated: February 19, 2026 Reading Time: 10 min

You submitted your retirement paperwork. Now you wait. How long will OPM actually take?

77 days on average. But that number hides a real gap between digital and paper filers. Digital applications average 48 days. Paper averages 97. And behind both sits a backlog of 54,018 pending claims, the highest in years.

Here's what the data shows, what you'll get paid while you wait, and how to avoid the delays that trip people up.

Key Takeaways

• OPM retirement processing averages 77 days in 2026. Digital: 48 days. Paper: 97 days.
• The backlog hit 54,018 claims in January 2026, the highest in years
• OPM issues interim pay within 7 days, typically 60 to 80 percent of your estimated annuity
• Interim pay only withholds federal income tax. No FEHB, FEGLI, dental, or vision premiums come out until your final annuity is calculated.
• January 2026 intake (18,923 applications) was 17.5 percent higher than January 2025

The 2026 backlog by the numbers

OPM publishes monthly processing statistics. The January 2026 data is rough: more people are retiring than OPM can process.

Metric	January 2026	Context
Total backlog	54,018	Highest in years
Digital backlog	19,618	Up from 10,252 in Oct 2025
Paper backlog	34,400	Still the majority
Claims received	18,923	17.5% more than Jan 2025
Claims processed	15,571	Volume doubled year-over-year
Average processing time	77 days	48 digital, 97 paper

The math is simple: OPM received 18,923 new claims in January but only processed 15,571. That means the backlog grew by roughly 3,350 cases in a single month.

Why the backlog is growing

DOGE-related restructuring and agency cuts pushed thousands of federal employees into early retirement through VERA/VSIP offers or voluntary separations during 2025. At the same time, a large cohort of Baby Boomers hit MRA+30 or age 62+5 eligibility.

The digital pipeline, once a bright spot, saw its backlog nearly double from 10,252 (October 2025) to 19,618 (January 2026) as more employees filed digitally during mass-separation events.

An internal OPM email obtained by WUSA9 warned staff of processing delays as workforce reductions accelerated. Rep. Walkinshaw has demanded answers about the growing backlog.

Digital vs. paper: the processing time gap

Whether you filed digitally or on paper is the biggest factor in how long you'll wait.

Application Type	Average Processing Time	Backlog
Digital (ORA)	48 days	19,618
Paper	97 days	34,400

Digital applications process roughly twice as fast as paper. Digital forms catch missing fields before submission, OPM staff can access files without handling physical mail, and digital submissions enter the queue immediately instead of waiting on the postal service.

Should you switch to digital?

If your agency supports the Online Retirement Application (ORA), use it. Not every agency has rolled out ORA access yet, but the list is growing. Ask your HR office.

If you're stuck with paper, budget extra time. The 97-day average means some cases take 4 to 5 months, especially if documents are missing or your service history has gaps.

What is interim pay (and how much will you get)?

You won't go without income while OPM processes your application. Interim pay bridges the gap.

How interim pay works

OPM issues interim pay within 7 days of receiving your retirement application. According to OPM Director Kupor, 100 percent of cases get interim pay within a week, and about 75 percent get it immediately.

Interim pay is typically 60 to 80 percent of your estimated net annuity. The exact percentage depends on case complexity and whether OPM has enough information to calculate an estimate.

What interim pay does NOT include

This is the part that catches new retirees off guard. Interim payments only withhold federal income tax. Everything else is excluded:

Deduction	Withheld During Interim Pay?
Federal income tax	Yes
FEHB premiums	No
FEGLI premiums	No
Dental/vision premiums	No
Long-term care premiums	No
State income tax	No

Your interim check might actually be larger than your final annuity payment. Don't spend the difference. When OPM finalizes your annuity, they retroactively deduct all those premiums as a lump-sum adjustment from your first full payment. That first real check can be a shock.

How to prepare for interim pay

1. Know your estimated annuity before you retire. Use the FERS Retirement Calculator to estimate your pension amount.
2. Set aside money for the retroactive adjustment. If your interim pay is $3,500/month but your final annuity after deductions is $2,800/month, you'll owe roughly $700 per month for every month you received interim pay.
3. Budget for missing state tax withholding. If you live in a state with income tax, you may need to make estimated quarterly payments during the interim period.

From application to first full check: the timeline

Here's what to expect from the day you separate to the day your annuity is fully finalized.

Step 1: Separation from service (Day 0)

Your last day of work. Your agency HR submits your retirement package to OPM. Digital ORA submissions go electronically. Paper gets mailed.

Step 2: Interim pay begins (Days 1 to 7)

OPM receives your package and issues interim pay. Most retirees see their first interim payment within 7 days.

Step 3: Processing queue (Days 7 to 48/97)

Your case enters the processing queue. OPM verifies your service history, calculates your annuity, and reviews your benefit elections.

Common delays at this stage:

• Missing SF-50s or service records
• Military buyback deposits not completed (see our Military Buyback Guide)
• Incomplete survivor benefit elections
• Discrepancies between your service computation date and OPM records

Step 4: Annuity finalized (Day 48 to 97, on average)

OPM sends your final annuity authorization letter with your exact monthly payment, all deductions, and any retroactive adjustments.

Step 5: First full annuity payment

Your annuity is paid on the first business day of each month for the prior month. The first full payment includes the retroactive adjustment for FEHB, FEGLI, and other deductions not withheld during interim pay.

Realistic timeline summary

Milestone	Digital (ORA)	Paper
Interim pay begins	1 to 7 days	1 to 7 days
Average processing complete	48 days	97 days
Typical range	30 to 90 days	60 to 150 days
First full annuity payment	2 to 4 months	3 to 6 months

Five ways to speed up your processing

You can't control OPM's backlog, but you can control how clean your application is.

1. Use the Online Retirement Application (ORA) if available. Digital is twice as fast. Ask HR.

2. Complete your military buyback before you retire. Outstanding military service credit deposits are one of the most common delay causes. The deposit must be paid in full before your retirement date. Start 6 to 9 months early.

3. Verify your service computation date. Check your most recent SF-50 for accuracy. If your SCD is wrong, fixing it after you retire adds weeks to processing.

4. Submit a complete package. Missing documents are the top cause of delays. Your retirement package should include:

• Completed SF-3107 (FERS) or SF-2801 (CSRS)
• Survivor benefit election signed by your spouse
• FEHB, FEGLI, and dental/vision continuation elections
• All SF-50s documenting your service history

5. Coordinate with HR early. Start the retirement conversation at least 6 months before your planned separation date. Some agencies offer pre-retirement counseling that walks you through every form.

Estimate your pension before you apply

Knowing your expected annuity before you file helps with everything: what to expect from interim pay, how to budget for the retroactive adjustment, and whether your retirement date actually maximizes your pension.

Use the FERS Retirement Calculator to estimate your monthly annuity based on your years of service, high-3 salary, and age at retirement.

Your high-3 average salary drives the FERS pension formula. Use the High-3 Calculator to find your highest 36 consecutive months of pay before you commit to a retirement date.

Estimate Your FERS Pension →

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take OPM to process a retirement application in 2026?

The average OPM retirement processing time in 2026 is 77 days. Digital applications through the Online Retirement Application (ORA) system average 48 days. Paper applications average 97 days. Budget 3 to 6 months from your separation date to receiving your final annuity payment.

Will I get paid while waiting for OPM to process my retirement?

Yes. OPM issues interim pay, typically 60 to 80 percent of your estimated annuity, within 7 days of receiving your application. About 75 percent of retirees receive interim pay immediately. Only federal income tax is withheld during interim payments.

What deductions are taken from interim retirement pay?

Only federal income tax. No FEHB premiums, FEGLI, dental, vision, or long-term care deductions are withheld during interim pay. State tax is also not deducted. Your first full annuity payment will include a lump-sum adjustment to recover unpaid premiums retroactively.

Is the digital retirement application faster than paper?

Yes, roughly twice as fast. Digital applications through OPM's Online Retirement Application average 48 days. Paper applications average 97 days. Digital cases also have fewer errors and missing-document delays.

What is the current OPM retirement backlog?

As of January 2026, the OPM retirement backlog is 54,018 claims. This includes 19,618 digital claims and 34,400 paper claims. The surge is driven by increased federal retirements during 2025 workforce reductions.

How can I check my OPM retirement application status?

Digital applicants can track status through the Online Retirement Application (ORA) system at OPM.gov. All retirees can call OPM Retirement Services at 1-888-767-6738. You can also check status online at Services Online.

Related resources

• FERS Retirement Calculator: Estimate your monthly pension before you retire
• High-3 Salary Calculator: Find your highest 36 months of pay for the pension formula
• Best Dates to Retire 2026: Optimize your retirement date for maximum annual leave payout
• VERA/VSIP Guide 2026: Early retirement and buyout eligibility under workforce reductions
• FERS Retirement Guide: Complete guide to FERS eligibility, formulas, and benefits
• Military Buyback Guide: Add military time to your FERS pension before you retire

Sources: OPM Retirement Processing Times, FedSmith: Retirement Surge Pushes Backlog Over 54K, OPM Interim Pay FAQ, OPM Online Retirement Application, WUSA9: Internal OPM Email on Processing Delays