The OPM retirement backlog continued to shrink in June, falling by nearly 4,700 pending retirement claims to its lowest level in more than a year. At the same time, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) announced the completion of its transition from paper retirement applications to a fully digital process, marking what the agency called the “Last Day of Paper.”
OPM Retirement Backlog Continues to Improve
The OPM retirement backlog declined from 38,547 pending claims in May to 33,851 in June, a reduction of 4,696 cases, or 12.2%. It was the fourth consecutive monthly decline and leaves the backlog nearly 48% below February’s peak of 65,237 pending claims.
OPM’s Retirement Services processed 12,751 retirement applications during June while receiving 8,663 new claims, the lowest monthly intake so far this fiscal year. The numbers suggest the surge of retirements seen in late 2024 and early 2025 continues to ease.
OPM Retirement Processing Times Are Still Rising
While the OPM retirement backlog is improving, processing times moved in the opposite direction for the third straight month.
Digital retirement applications averaged 96 days to process in June, up from 66 days in May. Paper applications averaged 120 days, compared with 105 days the previous month. Overall, the average retirement claim took 108 days to process, the highest monthly average in the past year.
OPM Completes the Move to Digital Retirement Applications
Beginning July 1, OPM says more than 95% of retirement applications are now submitted electronically, with paper filings limited to a small number of intelligence agencies with unique security requirements.
The agency also introduced its new Retire Ready planning tool, allowing employees to complete much of their retirement application before separating from federal service so processing can begin immediately after retirement. OPM also announced plans to launch AI-powered phone support later this year.
What the OPM Retirement Backlog Means for Federal Employees
Although the OPM retirement backlog continues to decline, processing times remain elevated. Federal employees planning to retire can still improve their experience by submitting their retirement application electronically and making sure it is complete before filing.
Preparing your paperwork carefully remains one of the best ways to reduce delays and help your retirement transition go as smoothly as possible.
A Federal Retirement Consultant (FRC®) can review your retirement application, identify potential issues before you file, and help you prepare for a smoother transition from paycheck to pension. Schedule your complimentary benefits review today.
