OPM’s Retirement Claims Backlog Jumps 18% in July

The retirement applications backlog at OPM increased almost 18% in July.

The backlog of retirement applications at the Office of Personnel Management spiked by almost 18% last month. The surge was due to an influx of new applications received in July.

OPM received 10,070 new claims in July but only processed 7,509, bringing the total backlog up to 17,091. It stood at 14,530 at the end of June.

OPM processed 59% of the applications in July in 60 days or less. The agency did not process as many claims in July as it has in past months, also contributing to the growth of the backlog. In March, for instance, OPM processed 10,602 applications and over 8,000 in April and May.

The backlog at the end of July one year ago stood at 15,562, almost 10% lower than today. There were 9,238 new claims received in July 2016, somewhat less than this year.

The latest figures are included below.

Month Claims Received Claims Processed Inventory (Steady state is 13,000) Avg. # of Days to Process Case in 60 days or less Avg. # of Days to Process Case in more than 60 days
Oct-15 8,374 10,438 12,642 38 86
Nov-15 6,019 6,099 12,562 37 98
Dec-15 4,753 5,916 11,399 40 104
Jan-16 15,423 7,061 19,761 38 94
Feb-16 11,293 8,362 22,692 36 96
Mar-16 5,741 9,222 19,211 44 118
Apr-16 7,241 11,935 14,517 50 92
May-16 7,210 7,692 14,035 37 103
Jun-16 5,929 6,435 13,529 37 115
Jul-16 9,238 7,205 15,562 38 110
Aug-16 6,818 6,046 16,334 42 112
Sep-16 6,946 8,134 15,146 45 100
Oct-16 7,326 5,795 16,677 49 91
Nov-16 5,065 5,723 16,019 48 94
Dec-16 5,483 6,405 15,097 52 95
Jan-17 15,317 7,327 23,087 53 89
Feb-17 9,114 8,285 23,916 38 104
Mar-17 7,216 10,602 20,530 38 105
Apr-17 6,581 8,179 18,932 51 80
May-17 5,548 8,340 16,140 48 89
Jun-17 6,141 7,751 14,530 47 99
Jul-17 10,070 7,509 17,091 45 98

 

About the Author

Ian Smith is one of the co-founders of FedSmith.com. He has over 20 years of combined experience in media and government services, having worked at two government contracting firms and an online news and web development company prior to his current role at FedSmith.