Claim strategy, not guesswork.

Social Security, for federal employees

If you're under FERS, Social Security is leg three of your retirement. You've been paying in for your full career. The decision isn't whether you'll claim — it's when.

Claim at 62 (the earliest you can) and you take a permanent 30% reduction. Claim at your Full Retirement Age (67 for anyone born 1960 or later) and you get 100% of your Primary Insurance Amount. Delay to 70 and you get 124% of your PIA, locked in for life. That's an 8% annual increase, guaranteed, for delaying.

If you're under CSRS or had a non-covered federal job, the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset rules may reduce your benefits. The rules changed substantially in early 2025. Most of the older coverage online is wrong now.

What this pillar covers

Claiming strategy. Spousal benefits and the dual-eligibility math. Survivor benefits. The earnings test before FRA. Taxation of benefits (yes, your Social Security is partially taxable in retirement). The interaction with the FERS Supplement, which is reduced dollar-for-dollar against earnings before age 62.

The numbers that matter most

• 62 — earliest eligible claim age. 30% permanent reduction below FRA.
• 67 — Full Retirement Age for anyone born 1960 or later.
• 70 — maximum claim age. 8% annual delayed credits between FRA and 70.
• $23,400 — 2025 earnings test threshold before FRA. $1 in benefits withheld for every $2 over.
• 35 years — the highest-earning years SSA uses to compute your PIA.