This subpart states the general application requirement applicable under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). Specific application requirements for particular benefits are contained with the regulations concerning those benefits.

(a) No benefit is payable under FERS, until after the claimant has applied for the benefit in the form prescribed by OPM.

(b) An employee, Member, or survivor may exercise any option or make any election authorized by FERS only in the form prescribed by OPM.

(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, an applicant for benefits under FERS may withdraw his or her application for benefits until a payment based on that application has been authorized, but not thereafter.

(b) An applicant for benefits under FERS may not withdraw his or her application for benefits after OPM has received a certified copy of a court order (under part 581 of this chapter or subpart I of this part) affecting the benefits.

(c) When an “appropriate authority” determines that the separation upon which payment has been based is an “unjustified or unwarranted personnel action” as these terms are defined in § 550.804 of this chapter, an individual may withdraw his/her application for FERS benefits within 60 days of the decision. As provided in § 550.805, any FERS payments must be deducted from any back pay award.

(a) A former employee is deemed to have filed an application for annuity if the former employee—

(1) Was not reemployed in a position subject to FERS under subpart A of part 842 of this chapter on the date of death;

(2) Dies after separation from Federal service but before actually filing an application for benefits; and

(3) At the time of separation from Federal service, was eligible for an immediate annuity under § 842.204(a)(1) and was eligible to elect to postpone the commencing date of that annuity under § 842.204(c) of this chapter.

(b) For the purpose of determining entitlement to a survivor annuity, a former employee who is deemed to have filed an application under paragraph (a) of this section is considered to have died as a retiree.

(c) For purposes of determining the amount of a survivor annuity, the annuity of a former employee who, under paragraph (a) of this section, is deemed to have filed an application is computed as though the commencing date were the first day of the month after the former employee's death.