After months of steady growth, the federal retirement backlog finally moved in the right direction in March.
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) received 14,759 new retirement claims, including 8,830 digital and 5,929 paper submissions. That is a sharp drop from February’s 31,240 claims. More importantly, OPM processed more applications than it received, bringing the total backlog down from 65,237 to 55,681 pending cases.
It is a meaningful improvement, though the backlog remains elevated. Over the past 12 months, OPM has taken in 182,449 retirement claims, reflecting the surge in federal separations that began in 2025 and has carried into 2026.
Processing times are starting to improve
March also saw progress in how quickly claims are being handled. The average processing time fell to 60 days, down from 71 days in February.
- Digital applications averaged 39 days
- Paper applications averaged 79 days
In total, OPM processed 22,237 claims during the month, outpacing incoming volume by more than 7,000.
The gap between digital and paper timelines remains significant and continues to highlight the advantage of filing electronically. Of the current backlog, 24,688 applications are digital, while 30,993 are paper.
Claims received over the past 12 months
April 2025: 8,332
May 2025: 15,048
June 2025: 13,430
July 2025: 8,295
August 2025: 9,416
September 2025: 6,095
October 2025: 20,344
November 2025: 23,393
December 2025: 13,174
January 2026: 18,923
February 2026: 31,240
March 2026: 14,759
Total (April 2025 through March 2026): 182,449 claims
What this means if you are waiting
A declining backlog is encouraging, but tens of thousands of federal retirees are still in the queue.
Delays are often caused by avoidable issues such as incomplete personal information, errors in marital documentation, or inconsistencies in service records. Even small mistakes can add weeks or months to the process.
If you are preparing to retire, getting the application right the first time can make a significant difference. If you are already waiting, understanding where delays typically occur can help set expectations.
A Federal Retirement Consultant (FRC®) can help you review your application, identify potential issues, and navigate the process more efficiently.
