VERA Eligibility Checker
Check if you qualify for Voluntary Early Retirement Authority. Enter your age and years of service to instantly see if you meet VERA requirements.
VERA vs Regular FERS Retirement
VERA Advantages
- • Retire earlier than standard MRA requirements
- • Keep FEHB health insurance into retirement
- • Often paired with VSIP ($25,000 buyout)
- • May receive FERS Supplement until age 62
VERA Considerations
- • Lower pension (fewer years of service)
- • Must be offered by your agency
- • Limited acceptance window
- • No penalty, but smaller annuity base
What is VERA?
VERA (Voluntary Early Retirement Authority) is a special provision that allows federal agencies to offer early retirement to employees during workforce restructuring, downsizing, or reorganization. Unlike regular early retirement (MRA+10), VERA has no age penalty.
VERA Eligibility Requirements
50 + 20
Age 50 or older with at least 20 years of creditable federal service
OR
Any Age + 25
Any age with at least 25 years of creditable federal service
VERA vs VSIP: Understanding the Difference
VERA (Early Retirement)
- • Allows early retirement eligibility
- • No cash payment
- • Starts your pension immediately
- • Keep FEHB and life insurance
- • May receive FERS Supplement
VSIP (Cash Buyout)
- • Up to $25,000 lump sum payment
- • Must actually separate from service
- • Can combine with VERA if eligible
- • Taxed as regular income
- • 5-year federal reemployment restriction
Best scenario: If you're VERA-eligible and your agency offers both VERA and VSIP, you can retire early (VERA) AND receive the $25,000 buyout (VSIP). This is the maximum benefit.
2026 VERA/VSIP Outlook
With the RIF moratorium expired and federal workforce restructuring underway, many agencies are offering VERA and VSIP as alternatives to involuntary separations. If your agency announces these options, you typically have 30-90 days to decide.
Key dates: VERA authority expires when an agency's restructuring need ends. If you're considering early retirement, review offers carefully and consult the related guides below.