Should I expect to receive a 1099-R from the Office of Personnel Management after requesting a refund of my contributions to FERS?

[bumbleB2nah]

I was employed in Federal Service for less than 1 year. According to OPM, I forfeited any interest (taxable portion) that may have been accrued over that time frame of "less than 1 year". Form SF-3106 was completed and mailed to OPM. I received a check for my contribution portion (after tax) and deposited into my bank account. I have not received a 1099-R from OPM. Should I be expecting one?

[SabrinaD2]

Yes, you should likely expect to receive a 1099-R form from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) after receiving a payment for your contribution. This form reports distributions from pensions, annuities, retirement plans, etc. For more information, visit the OPM website: Get your 1099-R tax form

[SteamTrain]

@bumbleB2nah 

IF it was for a standard Federal retirement....it should be a CSA-1099-R

But, if it was for a TSP account, then it would be a regular plain 1099-R.

_____________

If it wasn't issued until 2025, then you may not get it until early in 2026....and if you move your residence, there may be some mail forwarding issues...so try to keep them updated as to your mailing address if that is the case.

[bumbleB2nah]

@SabrinaD2 

Unfortunately, I still haven't received my 1099-R. I called and requested a duplicate as well, yet still nothing. It is very difficult to get ahold of somebody at OPM.

Since I just separated from service and I am not a retiree, I can't login to "services online" using my login.gov account, because I do not have a "claim number" or "cs" number. It seems as if OPM "retirement services online" is not available to me as a non-retiree.

[bumbleB2nah]

@SteamTrain

I did the same thing with my thrift savings plan. For that account I have received my 1099-R and included it with my filing. The refund of my FERS contributions were received in 2024.

Thank you

[FFE2025]

Did you ever get a 1099-R for the FERS contribution refund? I’m in a similar boat. I got a 1099-R but it only shows my taxable interest in Box 1 as the gross distribution. It makes no mention of the refund of my actual contributions. I find that confusing.

[MonikaK1]

The Form 1099-R issued by OPM to you as a non-annuitant shows the amount of income you need to report on your return. If you have questions about your refunded contributions, you can't find an answer to your question on OPM.gov or if you can't sign in to OPM Retirement Services Online to manage your annuity account, you may wish to call them. Phone:1-888-767-6738

@FFE2025 

[FFE2025]

I cannot access online service because I’m not a retiree. And I can’t get through to anyone on that phone number. It is incredibly frustrating.

[KrisD15]

No, 

if you received a 1099-R reporting the taxable portion, (the interest earned) you will not get a 1099-R reporting a pension, you had no pension.

You would only be tax on, and therefore only report, the taxable portion. 

Enter the 1099-R you received and continue. You will not get a CSR 1099-R since you are not receiving a pension. Any refund of your contributions is just a refund, you already paid tax on that when you earned it. Contributions to a FERS account are made "After Tax". 

@FFE2025 

[FFE2025]

I’m not referring to a CSR 1099-R, I’m referring to whether I’ll get a separate 1099-R for the portion that was refunded to me. Thanks!

[MarilynG1]

Yes, you should receive a 1099-R for the year in which you received your FERS refund.  If you did not, you may want to contact the Office of Personnel Management. 

Here's a video that  explains the FERS refund process that may be helpful.

@FFE2025 

[FFE2025]

I received the 1099-R, but it only showed the taxable interest, not the refund of my post-tax contributions. I cannot get through to OPM on the phone. Literally every time I call, a recording says due to high call volume, they cannot take my call at this point. 

[DawnC]

You only need to enter the 1099-R you have and report the taxable income.   You do not need to report non-taxable income which is what the refunded (after-tax) portion is.

[FFE2025]

Thank you!!!!