The federal retirement backlog continued to shrink in May, reaching its lowest point since before the surge that began in late 2024. The progress is real, but it comes with an important asterisk: processing times are actually getting longer.
The Numbers Are Moving in the Right Direction
Total pending claims dropped from 49,888 in April to 38,547 in May, a reduction of more than 11,000 cases in a single month and the largest monthly improvement since the backlog peaked at 65,237 in February. OPM’s Retirement Services processed 19,433 claims during the month, the highest monthly volume of the fiscal year.
Part of the improvement reflects fewer new claims coming in. OPM received 11,286 new applications in May, the lowest monthly intake since October, suggesting the wave of retirements that defined late 2024 and early 2025 is beginning to taper off.
Processing Times Went the Other Way
Despite the inventory improvement, individual claim processing times rose in May. Digital cases averaged 66 days, up from 50 days in April. Paper cases averaged 105 days, up from roughly 100 the prior month. The overall average across all claim types reached 87 days, the highest single-month figure since January.
The Digital Advantage Keeps Widening
Of the 11,286 claims received in May, 8,288 were submitted digitally and 2,998 arrived on paper. That distinction matters more than most retirees realize. Digital applications move through automated data checks that catch errors before they cause delays. This month, the gap between the two was 39 days. A retiree who submitted digitally waited an average of 66 days. One who submitted on paper waited 105.
OPM is working toward a fully digital retirement application process and continues to modernize legacy systems across agencies and payroll providers. Until that transition is complete, how you submit your application remains one of the most consequential choices in your retirement timeline.
What This Means for You
The backlog is heading in the right direction, but processing times remain well above historical norms. For federal employees approaching retirement, submitting digitally with a complete, error-free application is still the single most effective way to avoid an extended wait.
A Federal Retirement Consultant (FRC®) can help you prepare a thorough retirement application and make sure your transition from paycheck to pension goes as smoothly as possible. Schedule your complimentary benefits review today.
