Law enforcement officers, firefighters, nuclear materials couriers, Customs and Border Protection officers, Supreme Court police officers, Capitol Police officers and air traffic controllers. These are generally considered jobs with everyday high risk and stress, so covered employees retire earlier and pay more into their pensions in return.

At or after age 50 with at least 20 years of creditable federal service, or at any age with 25 years of creditable federal special service. You do not wait for a Minimum Retirement Age.

Twenty of them must be. Those twenty have to be law enforcement, firefighter or air traffic control service. The remaining five can be general federal service, or military time you have bought back.

That is the question worth settling early, and it turns on the primary and secondary position rules. It decides whether your later years still count as covered service, which moves your eligibility date. Do not assume either way. Have it confirmed.

To compensate for less time in the system. Covered CSRS employees contribute 7.5 percent of salary against 7.0 percent for regular employees.

Your agency separates you at the statutory age whether or not you are ready. Regular employees choose their own date. Because yours is set for you, the planning has to start earlier.

For special provision employees it starts immediately on retiring. Regular FERS employees wait until their Minimum Retirement Age.

Earliest unreduced retirement is age 50 with 20 years rather than your MRA with 30. There is an any-age option at 25 years of covered service, which regular FERS does not have. The annuity multiplier is enhanced on covered service. The supplement starts immediately. And your separation date is mandatory rather than your choice.