If you’re nearing retirement from federal service, you’ve likely already realized: the process isn’t simple. From calculating your FERS pension to understanding your survivor benefits, navigating TSP withdrawals, FEGLI options, and the actual retirement application itself — it can feel overwhelming fast.
That’s where we come in.
At Independence Benefits, our mission is simple: help federal employees retire with clarity and confidence. Here’s exactly how we do that.
We Guide You Through the Retirement Application
The OPM retirement application (SF 3107) is over 15 pages long and filled with sections that can trip people up — especially if you’re not familiar with the terminology or deadlines.
Here’s what we help with specifically:
Applicant Information:
We make sure your identifying information is correct and consistent with your personnel records — a frequent source of delay if mismatched.
Federal Service History:
We guide you through listing your service history accurately, including any temporary or military time that might require a deposit or additional documentation.
Military Service:
If applicable, we help you calculate whether buying back your military time is worth it and how to reflect it in your application.
Insurance and Benefits Elections:
This section determines whether you continue FEHB (health insurance) and FEGLI (life insurance) into retirement. We help you review the rules and make the right decisions — and ensure the right supporting forms are attached (like SF 2818 for FEGLI continuation).
Survivor Benefit Election:
One of the most critical sections — we explain what happens financially to your spouse if something happens to you. We help you choose between full, partial, or no survivor annuity, and understand how this affects both your pension and your spouse’s FEHB eligibility.
Direct Deposit and Tax Withholding:
We help you set up direct deposit correctly and determine smart tax withholding options based on your income plan.
Supporting Forms (like SF 2818, W-4P, etc.):
We ensure everything is attached, filled out correctly, and submitted in the proper order.
Submission Timing and Follow-Up:
We help you time your submission for a clean break in service (especially if you’re coordinating with annual leave payouts) and show you how to track the process with OPM’s retirement services after submission.
Most delays and frustrations with retirement processing come from small oversights — a missed date, a form that wasn’t attached, or a confusing survivor election.
We eliminate the guesswork by guiding you through the entire retirement package like a second pair of eyes — and a seasoned guide who’s been through it hundreds of times.
When we say “we walk you through it,” we mean it.
We Provide Tools, Webinars, and Education
Whether you’re retiring next month or 5 years from now, knowledge is power. That’s why we also offer:
- Live and virtual retirement briefings
- Educational eBooks and checklists
- Recorded videos that break down each benefit topic
- Updates on OPM processing times, rule changes, and TSP options
We tailor this information to you, not just generic advice.
Ready to Get Started?
Whether you’re 6 months away from retirement or just starting to plan ahead, we’re here to help.
📍 Visit https://retire.independencebenefits.com/consultation to schedule your free session.
📞 Or call us at 256-443-9964 to speak with a specialist.
