CSRS Retirement Calculator

Calculate CSRS pension for legacy federal employees from years of service and high-3 salary.
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%

Annual Pension

$56,250.00

Monthly Pension

$4,687.50

% of High-3

56.3%

CSRS Formula Breakdown

First 5 years (1.5%)$7,500.00
Next 5 years (1.75%)$8,750.00
Remaining years (2.0%)$40,000.00
Annual Pension$56,250.00
Monthly Pension$4,687.50

Pension with COLA (Full CPI)

Year 5$63,641.71
Year 10$72,004.76
Year 20$92,172.17

Use the CSRS Retirement Calculator above to calculate your results. Enter your values and see instant results — all calculations run in your browser.

Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and current rates. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.

How It Works

Our CSRS Retirement Calculator helps legacy federal employees estimate their Civil Service Retirement System pension. This tool is crucial for financial planning, allowing you to project your retirement income based on your service history and salary. Understanding your CSRS benefit is vital for making informed decisions about your retirement date and lifestyle, especially considering the stable nature of these pensions in 2026.

The CSRS pension calculation primarily uses a three-part formula based on your 'high-3' average salary and years of creditable service. For service up to 5 years, the multiplier is 1.5%. For service between 5 and 10 years, it's 1.75%. For service over 10 years, the multiplier is 2%. The total percentage is then applied to your high-3 average salary. This formula is a bedrock of federal retirement planning and remains consistent in 2026.

Remember that your 'high-3' salary is the average of your highest three consecutive years of basic pay, not necessarily your last three years. A common mistake is overlooking the impact of unused sick leave, which can be credited towards your total years of service for pension calculation purposes, but not for eligibility. Also, ensure you account for any survivor benefit deductions if applicable, as these reduce your gross annuity.

Example: 30 Years of Service, High-3 Salary of $80,000

  1. 1 Input: Years of Service = 30 years, High-3 Salary = $80,000.
  2. 2 Calculation: (5 years * 1.5%) + (5 years * 1.75%) + (20 years * 2%) = 7.5% + 8.75% + 40% = 56.25%. Multiply $80,000 (High-3) by 56.25%.
  3. 3 Result: Your estimated annual CSRS pension is $45,000.
  4. 4 Context: This $45,000 annual pension provides a significant and stable income stream in retirement. This example does not include potential cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) which typically begin after age 62, or any deductions for health insurance or survivor benefits.

Source: IRS · Last updated: April 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the CSRS pension calculated?
CSRS annuity uses a tiered formula: 1.5% of high-3 salary x first 5 years, plus 1.75% x next 5 years, plus 2% x remaining years. For 30 years at $90,000 high-3: (1.5% x 5 + 1.75% x 5 + 2% x 20) x $90,000 = $50,625 per year (56.25% of salary).
Do CSRS retirees get Social Security?
Most CSRS employees did not pay into Social Security and do not receive SS benefits for their federal service. If they qualify for SS through other work, the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) significantly reduces the SS benefit. CSRS retirees also face the Government Pension Offset on spousal SS benefits.
Is CSRS better than FERS?
CSRS generally provides a higher pension (56% of high-3 at 30 years vs about 30% under FERS). However, FERS includes Social Security coverage and the TSP with matching, which can make up the difference. CSRS has been closed to new hires since 1987.

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