How the Office of Personnel Management Pays Federal Employees and Retirees

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) does not directly pay most federal employees — your agency does. However, OPM does pay certain groups on a fixed schedule: federal retirees receiving Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) pensions, survivors of deceased federal employees, and people receiving Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) refunds or adjustments.

OPM payments go out on the same day each month, but that day depends on which payment category you fall into. If you are a current federal employee, your agency's payroll schedule — not OPM's — determines when you receive your paycheck. If you are retired or receiving a survivor benefit, OPM's schedule is what matters.

Key Takeaways

  • OPM pays federal retirees and survivors on a monthly schedule that varies by payment type, typically between the 1st and 3rd of each month.
  • Current federal employees are paid by their own agency on a biweekly schedule, not by OPM.
  • FEHB refunds and certain adjustments follow OPM's payment schedule, which you can confirm through your retirement account online.
  • If a scheduled payment date falls on a weekend or federal holiday, the payment arrives on the last business day before that date.
  • Direct deposit is the standard method for OPM payments; paper checks are no longer issued for regular retirement payments.

OPM Retirement Payment Dates by Category

OPM pays CSRS retirees and FERS retirees on the third business day of each month. This means if the 3rd falls on a weekend or holiday, your payment arrives on the last business day before that date. For example, if the 3rd is a Saturday, you receive payment on Friday the 2nd.

Survivor annuitants — people receiving benefits because a federal employee or retiree died — are also paid on the third business day of each month on the same schedule as retirees.

Some federal employees who separate from service and are waiting for their formal retirement to begin may receive a lump-sum payment of unused leave or other separation benefits. These payments follow OPM's processing timeline but may not align with the regular monthly schedule, depending on when your separation paperwork is completed.

How to Find Your Specific Payment Date

The easiest way to confirm when your OPM payment arrives is to log into MYHRTMS (My Human Resources Total Management System) or EBIS (Employee Benefits Information System), depending on your retirement type. Both systems show your payment history and upcoming payment dates.

If you receive CSRS or FERS retirement pay, log into MYHRTMS with your federal employee ID and password. Your account displays the date your last payment posted and confirms the next scheduled payment. If you are a survivor annuitant, you may have access through a different portal — OPM will have provided login details when your annuity began.

You can also contact OPM's Retirement Services directly at 1-888-767-6738 (toll-free) to confirm your payment date. Have your claim number or Social Security number ready.

Direct Deposit and Payment Methods

OPM no longer issues paper checks for regular retirement payments. All CSRS, FERS, and survivor annuity payments are made by direct deposit to a bank account you designate. When you first retire or become may be able to access for a survivor benefit, OPM asks you to provide banking information. You can update your bank account details through MYHRTMS or by contacting OPM Retirement Services.

If you need to change your bank account, submit the change at least 10 business days before the next scheduled payment date to may support the deposit goes to the correct account. If you miss that window, the payment may go to your old account, and you will need to contact your bank to retrieve it or request a replacement payment from OPM.

Some retirees receive tax withholding refunds or benefit adjustments outside the regular monthly schedule. These may be issued as separate payments and can arrive on different dates than your regular annuity payment.

What Happens When a Payment Date Falls on a Weekend or Holiday

Federal holidays and weekends do not delay OPM payments — they move them earlier. If the third business day of the month falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday, your payment posts on the last business day before that date.

For example, if the 3rd is a Monday but that Monday is a federal holiday (like Memorial Day), your payment arrives on Friday the 31st of the previous month. This means your payment may arrive before the calendar month begins, so check your account a few days before the 3rd if you are expecting money.

Direct deposit typically posts to your bank account within one business day of OPM sending it, though some banks hold deposits for an additional day. If you do not see your payment within two business days of the scheduled date, contact your bank first to confirm it was received, then contact OPM if the bank has no record of it.

FEHB Refunds and Other OPM Payments

If you are a federal retiree and you overpaid your Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) premiums, or if OPM determines you are owed a refund for other reasons, that refund follows OPM's payment schedule but may not align with your regular annuity payment date.

FEHB refunds are typically processed within 30 to 60 days of the information that you are owed money. Once processed, the refund is deposited to the same bank account where your retirement payment goes. You will receive a notice from OPM explaining the refund amount and the expected payment date.

Adjustments to your annuity — such as a correction to your retirement calculation or a change in your withholding — are also paid on OPM's regular schedule once the adjustment is approved.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my OPM payment arrive on a different date than usual?

If a scheduled payment date falls on a weekend or federal holiday, OPM moves the payment to the last business day before that date. Check the federal holiday calendar for the month — if the 3rd is a holiday, your payment arrives earlier. If your payment is significantly late, contact OPM Retirement Services to confirm it was sent.

I am a current federal employee, not a retiree. When do I get paid?

Your agency, not OPM, pays you on a biweekly schedule. The exact dates depend on your agency's payroll system. Check your agency's HR website or your most recent pay stub for the payroll calendar. OPM's payment schedule does not explore to active employees.

Can I change my bank account for OPM payments?

Yes. Log into MYHRTMS or contact OPM Retirement Services at 1-888-767-6738 to update your banking information. Submit changes at least 10 business days before your next scheduled payment to avoid delays or payments going to the wrong account.

What if I do not receive my OPM payment on the scheduled date?

First, check your bank account — direct deposits sometimes post a day later than expected. If two business days have passed and you still do not see the payment, contact your bank to confirm they received it. If your bank has no record, call OPM Retirement Services at 1-888-767-6738 with your claim number to report the missing payment.

Are OPM payments taxed?

Federal retirement annuities are subject to federal income tax. When you start receiving your pension, OPM asks how much tax you want withheld from each payment. You can adjust your withholding at any time through MYHRTMS or by contacting OPM. Survivor annuities are also taxable and subject to withholding.