Civil Service Retirement System
Encyclopedia
The Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) organized in 1920 and has provided retirement, disability and survivor benefits for most civilian employees in the US federal government. Upon the creation of a new Federal Employees Retirement System
(FERS) in 1987, those newly hired after that date cannot participate in CSRS. CSRS continues to provide retirement benefits to those eligible to receive them.
CSRS is a defined-benefit plan, akin to a pension
. Employees hired after 1983 are required to be covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System
(FERS), which is a three tiered retirement system with a smaller defined benefit (pension), Social Security, and a 401(k)
-style system called the Thrift Savings Plan
(TSP).
With changes in the determining retirement coverage of federal employees under FERS or CSRS, those employees who are later rehired that were previously covered under CSRS will retain their CSRS coverage if they meet certain service rules. In general, if rehired employees have 5 years of civilian service as of December 31, 1986, they will retain CSRS coverage. However if the break in service is greater than 365 days, the employee is also covered under Social Security and will be deemed CSRS Offset. Overall benefits paid to CSRS or CSRS Offset employees will remain equitable based on the number of years of creditable service and CSRS forumula upon retirement. CSRS and CSRS Offset employees with a break in service more than 3 days are also eligible to elect coverage under FERS within the first 6 months of rehire.
Employees who were previously covered under CSRS that do not meet the 5 year retirement coverage rule, are automatically covered under the FERS upon rehire.
Employees under CSRS (and CSRS Offset) may contribute to TSP as well, but participate as a supplement to their designated pension benefit. Contributions to the TSP are not matched.
Federal Employees Retirement System
The Federal Employees Retirement System is the current retirement system for employees within the U.S. federal civilian employees...
(FERS) in 1987, those newly hired after that date cannot participate in CSRS. CSRS continues to provide retirement benefits to those eligible to receive them.
CSRS is a defined-benefit plan, akin to a pension
Pension
In general, a pension is an arrangement to provide people with an income when they are no longer earning a regular income from employment. Pensions should not be confused with severance pay; the former is paid in regular installments, while the latter is paid in one lump sum.The terms retirement...
. Employees hired after 1983 are required to be covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System
Federal Employees Retirement System
The Federal Employees Retirement System is the current retirement system for employees within the U.S. federal civilian employees...
(FERS), which is a three tiered retirement system with a smaller defined benefit (pension), Social Security, and a 401(k)
401(k)
A 401 is a type of retirement savings account in the United States, which takes its name from subsection of the Internal Revenue Code . A contributor can begin to withdraw funds after reaching the age of 59 1/2 years...
-style system called the Thrift Savings Plan
Thrift Savings Plan
The Thrift Savings Plan is a defined contribution plan for United States civil service employees and retirees as well as for members of the uniformed services....
(TSP).
With changes in the determining retirement coverage of federal employees under FERS or CSRS, those employees who are later rehired that were previously covered under CSRS will retain their CSRS coverage if they meet certain service rules. In general, if rehired employees have 5 years of civilian service as of December 31, 1986, they will retain CSRS coverage. However if the break in service is greater than 365 days, the employee is also covered under Social Security and will be deemed CSRS Offset. Overall benefits paid to CSRS or CSRS Offset employees will remain equitable based on the number of years of creditable service and CSRS forumula upon retirement. CSRS and CSRS Offset employees with a break in service more than 3 days are also eligible to elect coverage under FERS within the first 6 months of rehire.
Employees who were previously covered under CSRS that do not meet the 5 year retirement coverage rule, are automatically covered under the FERS upon rehire.
Employees under CSRS (and CSRS Offset) may contribute to TSP as well, but participate as a supplement to their designated pension benefit. Contributions to the TSP are not matched.