If you separate from Federal service or transfer to a position that is not covered by the retirement system, and do not receive a refund of retirement deductions, you will be eligible for a deferred retirement at age 62 if you:

• Have completed 5 years of creditable civilian service.
• Were employed under the retirement system for at least 1 year within the 2-year period immediately preceding the separation on which the deferred annuity is based.

You are not eligible to continue any health benefits or life insurance coverage you had while employed if you apply for a deferred retirement.

A deferred annuity is based on the length of service and high-3 average salary (highest average basic pay over any 3-year period) in effect when you separated from Federal service. In the years between the date of separation and age 62, the average salary is not adjusted by any intervening cost of living adjustments. Your accrued and unused sick leave at the time of your separation is not creditable for eligibility or computation purposes in a deferred retirement.

1. Complete OPM 1496A, Application for Deferred Retirement.
2. Mail the OPM 1496A to:

   Office of Personnel Management
   Retirement Operations Center
   P.O. Box 45
   Boyers, PA 16017-0045

OPM Retirement Handbook Chapter 45, Deferred Retirement