OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT (OPM) (2025)

UNCLASSIFIED (U)

7 FAM 580

OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT(OPM)

(CT:CON-962; 02-02-2023)
(Office of Origin: CA/OCS)

7 FAM 581 SUMMARY

(CT:CON-962; 02-02-2023)

a. The OPM is the U.S. Federal government’s humanresources agency. OPM and the U.S. Department of State have been long-termpartners in benefits payments for annuitants covered by the Civil ServiceRetirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees’ Retirement System(FERS) who are residing abroad. The Bureau ofConsular Affairs, Directorate of Overseas Citizens Services, Management SupportUnit serves as liaison with OPM.

b. Our joint mission is to provide efficient andeffective service to beneficiaries abroad. To further assist our posts abroad,OPM has set up an International Desk (IDesk) exclusively to assist the FederalBenefits Units (FBU) with post-retirement inquiries. The IDesk resides in RetirementServices sub agency, Retirement Eligibility and Services Fraud Branch andmanages all aspects of international annuity payments. They will also eitheranswer any questions/concerns or forward them to the appropriate office forresponse.

7 FAM 582 AUTHORITIES

(CT:CON-164; 04-18-2007)

The legal authority for administration of OPM annuitiespaid abroad includes:

5 U.S.C. 8331 - 8351, Part III, Subpart G (Chapter 83– Retirement, subchapter III – Civil Service Retirement)

5 U.S.C. 8401 - 8470 (Chapter 84 FederalEmployees’ Retirement System)

5 U.S.C. 8701 - 8716 (Chapter 87 – LifeInsurance)

5 U.S.C. 8901 - 8914 (Chapter 89 – HealthInsurance)

5 U.S.C. 9001 - 9009 (Chapter 90 – Long TermCare Insurance)

22 U.S.C. 3904 (3) (Functions of Service)

7 FAM 583 ROLE OF THE CONSULAR OFFICER

(CT:CON-962; 02-02-2023)

a. Federal law mandates entitlement to Federalbenefits. Each Federal benefits-paying agency establishes policies andprocedures under which the laws are administered. When policies and proceduresare applied outside the United States, assistance from U.S. embassies andconsulates is required.

b. Initial applications for retirement and relatedbenefits must be submitted through the human resources office of theindividual’s employing agency. In the case of Department of Stateemployees abroad, Foreign Service posts’ administrative offices will lendproper assistance.

c. When a post receives an inquiry from an annuitanton the status of their application, informthe annuitant of the following. Once OPMreceives the retirement application, they will notify the annuitant and willprovide a civil service claim identification number (a seven-digit numberpreceded by "CSA" or "CSF" in the case of survivorbenefits). The annuitant must use that identification number whenever they contact OPM about their annuity. To check the status of the formor application, annuitants may contact the Retirement Office at (888) 767-6738or retire@opm.gov. The phone lines are open from 7:40 am to 5:00 pm (Eastern StandardTime). It is a busy phone number so OPM encourages them to call early in themorning when the phone lines are less busy. Post may use the internal OPMemail address Idesk@opm.gov to make the inquiry on behalf of the annuitant.

d. Annuitants and Survivors may email questionsdirectly to OPM using retire@opm.gov. They will need to provide their claimnumber in order to receive specific information regarding their case.

e. Posts should contact the Federal Benefits Unit (CTP)in their region when further assistance is required. Consular officers shouldcontact the Regional Federal Benefits Officer(RFBO) when they need additional guidance. Posts can find the current list ofRFBOs and a list of claims-taking posts on the CA Intranet section"Overseas Citizen Services" by clicking on "Non-EmergencyServices" and then "Federal Benefits" at the OCS CA Web filter or by going to theFederal Benefits CAWeb Page.

7 FAM 584 Role of CA/OCS/MSU

(CT:CON-590; 12-18-2019)

a. The Management Support Unit in the Bureau ofConsular Affairs, Directorate of Overseas Citizens Services (CA/OCS/MSU) is theDepartment’s liaison with Federal benefits-paying agencies, consularposts abroad and Congress. CA/OCS/MSU provides guidance, disseminatesinformation and implements new programs and procedures of those payingagencies. CA/OCS/MSU also liaises with other Federal agencies such as theDepartment of Treasury including the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the Bureau of the Public Debt and the Selective Service System (SSS).

b. CA/OCS/MSU works with Federal agencies on FederalBenefits Programs abroad to ensureefficient and fraud-free payment of benefits, as well as the provision ofservices. CA/OCS/MSU’s goal is to ensure that services provided by theState Department for the different Federal agencies are administered in anefficient and effective way delivering high quality service.

c. CA/OCS/MSU has a collective email addressFedBen@state.gov, where Regional Federal BenefitsOfficers (RFBOs) may send emails on policy and complicated issues whicharise to them from posts through the Federal Benefits Units (FBUs) in theirregions.

7 FAM 585 Privacy Act Considerations

(CT:CON-962; 02-02-2023)

a. Information contained in a name-retrievable systemof records concerning annuitants of Federal retirement systems may not bedisclosed except:

·As expressly authorized by OPM and not inconsistent with the PA

·By written authorization by the individual who is the subject ofthe record

·In accordance with the conditions of disclosure under the Privacy Act. The CA/OCS Intranet PAFeature and 7 FAM 060 providesguidance about the PA

b. Any unauthorized disclosure is subject to criminalpenalties pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(i) (PA, as amended).

7 FAM 586 DEFINITIONS

(CT:CON-604; 10-30-2015)

Annuitant: A person whoparticipated in a Federal retirement system or is the survivor or beneficiarywho meets the requirements for receiving an annuity under the system.

Annuity: A sum of moneypayable at specified intervals to individuals who participated in a Federalretirement system.

Retirement: Officialseparation from one’s U.S. Federal employment or position upon meetingthe requirements of years of service and age for entitlement to benefits underpertinent laws and regulations.

7 FAM 587 INQUIRIES ABOUT BENEFITS

7 FAM 587.1 Contacting OPM

(CT:CON-636; 02-24-2016)

OPM has an International Desk (IDesk) to assist postsabroad with retirement inquiries. The IDesk resides in Retirement Services subagency, Retirement Eligibility and Services Fraud Branch and manages allaspects of international payments. They will also either answer anyquestions/concerns or forward them to the appropriate OPM office for response.Please note that this contact information is not for public use.

7 FAM 587.2 Applying for BenefitsWhen Living Abroad

(CT:CON-962; 02-02-2023)

a. Application: To qualify for payments from the U.S.Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or the Federal Employees’Retirement System (FERS), an individual must submit a retirement application,Form SF-2801 Application for Immediate Retirement (CSRS), or Form SF-3107Application for Immediate Retirement (FERS). Please be sure all applicationssent to OPM have an original signature or they will be unable to process theapplication. OPM has a number of on-line forms including retirementapplication forms available at OPM forms. OPM strongly encourages annuitantsto restrain from using different names in order to avoid payment issues. Theirnames should also match their bank accounts when applying for electronicpayments.

b. If the individual has been separated from Federalservice for more than 30 days, the individual should submit the application toOPM. If the individual is still working, they shouldsubmit it to the employing agency.

c. Medical Documentation: When applying for adisability retirement the applicant must obtain and submit medicaldocumentation supporting the claim of a disability retirement. This medicaldocumentation should be submitted with theapplication and Agency Certification to:

7 FAM 587.3 Reporting a Change ofStatus

7 FAM 587.3-1 Change of Address,Marriage/Divorce of an Annuitant and Survivor Benefit Inquiries

(CT:CON-636; 02-24-2016)

a. Change of address should be sent to the followingaddress.

b. Marriage: Many different benefits handled bydifferent offices are affected by post-retirement marriage. Send notificationof marriage to the following office and all appropriate offices will benotified of the change.

c. Divorce: Immediately provide all divorce decreesand support orders to the Court Ordered Benefits Branch, because the date ofreceipt affects the effective date of payment. Please forward these to:

d. Survivor Benefits Inquiries should be sent to:

7 FAM 587.3-2 Death of anAnnuitant

(CT:CON-962; 02-02-2023)

There are three ways to report a death:

(1) A family member can report the death of anannuitant online. They can also report thedeath by calling 888-767-6738.

(2) In order for family members to apply for benefits,they need to complete the appropriate Application for Death Benefits (Form SF-2800 for CSRS or Form SF-3104 and Form SF-3104B for FERS. These forms can befound at OPM standard forms. These forms must have an original signature andany other forms and/or evidence as the application or circumstances require.

(3) They need to also attach a copy of theemployee’s death certificate and a copy of the certificate of themarriage to the widow or widower and send the completed application to:

(4) A widow or widower who is claiming benefits for themself and on behalf of children should fileone application.

(5) If post contacts the IDesk by email or FAX toreport the death, provide as much of the following information as possible:

(a) Name of annuitant (first, middle initial and last);

(b) Annuitant’s claim number;

(c) SSN of deceased;

(d) Date of death;

(e) Survivor’s name;

(f) Relationship to deceased; and

(g) Survivor’s address, telephone number, andemail.

(6) The family member can always contact OPM’sRetirement Operations Center via fax 724-794-1112 or via email retire@opm.gov.

7 FAM 588 Benefit Check not Received

(CT:CON-604; 10-30-2015)

a. Consult 7FAM 527.

b. Contact the IDesk nonreceipt specialist:

c. Inform OPM of:

(1) Name and current address of the beneficiary;

(2) Annuitant’s claim number;

(3) Date of the check (For example: January 2, 2007);and

(4) Type of annuity (CSRS (Civil Service RetirementSystem), FERS (Federal Employee Retirement System)).

7 FAM 589 returning payments to opm

(CT:CON-636; 02-24-2016)

a. Annuitants can return their electronic paymentsthrough their Financial Institutions. They can return hard copy payments(checks) with the work "VOID" written on the front of the check tothe following address:

b. When a check is over a year old, the payment iscancelled through the Department of Treasury andthe credit is returned to OPM to be repaid to the annuitant. OPM then repaysthe returned payment if it has an updated address on file. If three payments ina row are returned, OPM suspends the case. This is an automated process.

c. If a case is in suspend status for 6 months, thecase will be placed in a dropped status. This will require a higher level ofverification. The individual will need to submit the current mailing address,the payment address and a copy of their current identification and a currentphoto of the annuitant holding a current newspaper with the date showing.Identification and photos must be submitted for the completion of therestoration of the annuity process.

UNCLASSIFIED (U)