fbpx
Home / Federal Employee News / Early Retirement, VERA

2025 DOI VERA – Early Retirement Offer: What You Need to Know About The Incentive & Eligibility

USPS VERA OFFER 2025

March 19, 2025

DOI VERA – Information On Incentive & Eligibility

The Department of the Interior (DOI) has officially announced a Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA), giving eligible employees the chance to retire early, and, if qualified, receive a financial incentive. Not all positions qualify for this offer, and the deadline to submit is extremely short and strict: Wednesday, March 26 at close of business (local time).

If you’re considering taking this offer, you should speak with a Benefits Specialist before you make your decision. It’s really important you have a clear outline of what retirement looks like for you, and that you take advantage of every benefit available to you as a federal worker.

Below is an outline of the key details of the early out offer being made, including service time and age eligibility requirements, exclusions by position, financial incentives, and the deadlines to submit your application.

Incentive/VSIP (Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment):

Maximum payout: $25,000, based on severance pay formula. VSIP payments are capped at $25,000. The exact "severance pay" calculation has not been specified for this offer, but typically follows federal severance pay guidelines.

  • One week of basic pay for each full year of service up to 10 years.
  • Two weeks of basic pay for each full year beyond 10 years.
  • Maximum payout cannot exceed $25,000 (even if the calculation results in a higher amount).

    • Taxes & Payouts

      • Incentive payments are subject to tax deductions, and do not count towards retirement calculations.
      • Payments will be one-time lump sum, though the exact payment date has not been officially announced, it’s likely that it will be paid shortly after separation, which would be in June of 2025.

    Who is Eligible for the Incentive/VSIP?

  • Eligible employees who meet the service requirements and are not excluded (see exclusions below).
  • Anyone that has been employed by the federal government continuously for at least 3 years.

    • Exclusions:

      • Reemployed annuitants.
      • Employees eligible for disability retirement.
      • Those with an involuntary separation decision for misconduct or poor performance.
      • Anyone who previously received a VSIP from the federal government.
      • Employees who received a student loan repayment benefit in the last 36 months.
      • Employees who received a recruitment/relocation incentive in the last 24 months.
      • Employees who received a retention incentive in the last 12 months.

    Who’s Eligible for Retirement?

    DOI employees must meet at least one of these service requirements:

  • Be at least 50 years old with 20 years of Federal service, OR
  • Have 25 years of Federal service at any age.
  • Have at least 5 years of creditable civilian service.

    • This offer is available to all DOI employees covered under both:

  • Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS)
  • Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS)

    • Additional eligibility criteria:

  • Be serving under a non-time-limited appointment.
  • Have been continuously on DOI’s payroll for at least 30 days prior to January 27, 2025.
  • Not in receipt of a decision of involuntary separation decision for misconduct or unsatisfactory performance.


    • Excluded positions:

  • Wildland Fire Management
  • Emergency Response
  • Law Enforcement & Security
  • Dispatching & Aviation
  • Human Resources & Cyber Security
  • Some Permitting Positions (subject to approval)

    • Key Deadlines

    • March 26, 2025 at close of business (local time): Deadline to submit your application. Applications must be submitted via FWS VERA/VSIP Application form. You will be notified of acceptance within 10 days of your submission.
    • May 31, 2025: Employees must separate from DOI by this date to receive the VERA and/or VSIP.

    If your previously scheduled retirement date is later than May 31, you’ll need to adjust it to remain eligible.

    Share
    Tweet
    Share
    Pin
    0 Shares

    Know Your Options!
    Claim Your Free Federal Benefits Workbook Today

    Was this article helpful?

    Thanks for your feedback!

    Sorry about that

    How can we improve it?