The following memo is from OPM’s Retirement Information Center:
As you have probably seen on the news, the appropriation that allows the government to operate is scheduled to expire this Friday at midnight. Many people have called and are asking how a closure would affect them. We would like to address your concerns and assure you that Retirement Services’ employees will be on the job.
Our most asked question is whether or not checks and direct deposits will be affected. Federal retirees will still receive their scheduled annuity payments on the first business day of the month.
In addition, if you need to make updates or changes to your retirement account, we will be available to assist you. As always, you can make many of these changes online at www.servicesonline.opm.gov or by calling Retirement Services at 1-888-767-6738.
If you need to report the death of your family member you can do this (and apply for benefits) by accessing www.opm.gov/retire or calling us at 1-888-767-6738.
If your family member was a Federal employee at the time of death, please contact the agency where they worked. If the employing agency is closed, you will need to wait until they return to work to begin the process.
If you recently retired from Federal service and your agency or payroll center submitted your retirement application to OPM, you will begin receiving interim annuity payments while OPM retirement specialists process your application.
If your agency or payroll center has not yet submitted your retirement application or your application is incomplete, you will likely experience a delay as we need to receive all of the information from the agency before we can process your retirement. Some of these agencies may not be operating during a Government furlough.
Our most important news to you is that Retirement Services will be working normal operating hours during a Government furlough.