What is MRA+10 retirement, and is it worth it?

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By the FERS Made Easy editorial team · Last reviewed Oct 2026

Short answer: MRA+10 lets you retire at your Minimum Retirement Age (55–57) with at least 10 years of service. Your pension is permanently reduced by 5% for each year you are under 62 (5/12 of 1% per month) when it starts. Postponing the start date shrinks or removes the reduction, and with 20+ years it disappears if the annuity starts at 60 or later. There is no FERS Supplement.

How the reduction works

OPM: "your benefit will be reduced by 5/12 of 1% for each full month… that you were under age 62 on the date your annuity began. However, your annuity will not be reduced if you complete at least 30 years of service, or if you complete at least 20 years of service and your annuity begins when you reach age 60."

Worked examples (high-3 $80,000)

Service	Annuity starts at	Unreduced	Reduction	Yearly pension
15 years	57	$12,000	25%	$9,000
15 years	60 (postponed)	$12,000	10%	$10,800
15 years	62 (postponed)	$12,000	0%	$12,000
20 years	57	$16,000	25%	$12,000
20 years	60 (postponed)	$16,000	0% (20+ years at 60)	$16,000

For the 20-year worker, waiting 3 years raises the pension by $4,000 a year for life. Over 3 years they give up about $36,000 of payments (3 × $12,000), so the break-even is roughly 9 years of payments, before COLAs and taxes. The right choice depends on your health, other income and FEHB plans.

Exceptions and edge cases

30 years at the MRA is MRA+30, not MRA+10, so there is no reduction.
Early outs (VERA/discontinued service) are better if offered: 50+20 or any age+25 with no age reduction.
FEHB while postponed: coverage ends when you separate (you can buy Temporary Continuation of Coverage) and can be reinstated when the annuity begins, if you met the 5-year rule. [TCC length and cost: check with OPM/HR.]
Death before a postponed annuity starts: survivor rules differ from those for a retiree. [Confirm with OPM before relying on this.]
Sick leave can't help you reach 10, 20 or 30 years.

Common mistakes

Not realizing the 20-years-at-60 rule erases the reduction.
Expecting the FERS Supplement.
Taking a refund of contributions instead of postponing, which cancels the service.
Assuming FEHB continues during the postponement.

What to do next

Run the pension calculator (choose your age and years) with your own numbers. It takes about a minute.
Ask your agency HR/benefits office for a retirement estimate and your official service computation date.
Check your Social Security estimate at ssa.gov/myaccount.
Want a second opinion? with a licensed financial professional who works with federal employees. It's optional and free.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the MRA+10 reduction?

5/12 of 1% for each full month you are under 62 when the annuity begins, which is 5% per year. At 57 that is 25%; at 60 it is 10%.

Can I avoid the reduction?

Yes, by postponing the start date. The reduction shrinks for every month closer to 62 and disappears at 62. If you have 20+ years, it disappears when the annuity starts at 60 or later. With 30 years there is no reduction.

Do I keep FEHB with MRA+10?

Yes, if you have been enrolled for the 5 years before the annuity starts. OPM explicitly includes MRA+10 retirements. If you postpone, FEHB coverage stops when you leave and can be reinstated when your annuity begins.

Do I get the FERS Supplement with MRA+10?

No. The supplement is for immediate unreduced retirements before 62 (MRA+30, 60+20, early outs and special provisions).

Is MRA+10 the same as a deferred retirement?

No. MRA+10 requires 10 years and your MRA and keeps FEHB eligibility. A deferred annuity (after leaving with 5+ years but not meeting retirement rules) does not let you keep FEHB.

Is the reduction permanent?

Yes. The age reduction stays with your pension for life, although COLAs (from 62) apply to the reduced amount.