DRP 2.0 & VERA Updates – What You Need To Know About The Deferred Resignation Program & Early Out Offers

April 2, 2025

DRP 2.0 & VERA – Current Offers, Agencies, & Key Deadlines

Several federal agencies have reopened their Deferred Resignation Program initiatives – now commonly referred to as DRP 2.0 – alongside Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA) options, in some cases with incentives (VSIP). The programs offer eligible employees the chance to voluntarily resign or retire early, with specific benefits like continued pay and administrative leave leading up to final separation dates. All of which is designed to reduce the federal workforce voluntarily before RIF (Reduction In Force) initiatives or other involuntary measures are considered.

But in regards to the current offers being made, the details vary widely from agency to agency – different deadlines, eligibility criteria, and incentive structures. Below is a quick, agency-by-agency breakdown to help you understand what’s on offer and what the key deadlines are.

If you’ve been considering an early retirement, now might seem like the right time to act. And that could be right. But just because you can, doesn’t always mean you should. The only way to determine if you’re ready to retire and if it’s right for you in your specific situation, is to speak with a qualified Federal Benefits Specialists – there’s really no substitute.

Key Details by Agency (Listed Alphabetically)

Department of Agriculture (USDA)

• Programs Offered: DRP 2.0 and VERA
• Window to Accept Offer: By April 8, 2025.
• Separation Date: Administrative leave begins between April 15 and April 30; final separation no later than September 30, 2025.
• Additional Notes: Employees who opt in will receive full pay and benefits during administrative leave. No positions are excluded.

Department of Defense (DOD)

• Programs Offered: DRP 2.0 and VERA
• Window to Accept Offer: April 7-14, 2025.
• Separation Date: Must separate by September 30, 2025, and it’s been specifically mentioned that you can not extend retirement date to December 31, 2025 (which was previously possible in the original "Fork in the road" program).
• Additional Notes: Administrative leave may begin as early as May 1, 2025. Certain essential positions may be excluded from participation.

Department of Energy (DOE)

• Programs Offered: DRP 2.0
• Window to Accept Offer: By April 8, 2025.
• Separation Date: Must separate by September 30, 2025.
• Additional Notes: Some positions considered essential are not eligible for this program.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

• Programs Offered: DRP 2.0 & VERA (w/ VSIP)
• Window to Accept Offer: By 11:59pm ET on April 14, 2025.
• Separation Date: Not completely defined, but has mentioned that most transitions (DRP) are expected to take place by September 30, 2025.
• Additional Notes: Law Enforcement Officials will be excluded from participation, along with all deemed to be part of the mission critical frontline workforce.

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

• Programs Offered: DRP 2.0
• Window to Accept Offer: By April 11, 2025.
• Separation Date: Not yet officially announced, but likely aligned with the September 30, 2025 deadline.
• Additional Notes: Eligibility criteria for specific positions have not yet been released.

Department of Transportation (USDOT)

• Programs Offered: DRP 2.0
• Window to Accept Offer: By April 7, 2025.
• Separation Date: Must separate by September 30, 2025.
• Additional Notes: Employees who accept the offer will be protected from future layoffs. However, key public safety roles – like Federal Aviation Administration air traffic controllers and aviation safety inspectors as well as railroad safety inspectors, pipeline and hazardous materials safety inspectors, and cybersecurity employees – are not eligible.

Department of the Treasury – Agency Wide (USDT)

• Programs Offered: DRP 2.0 & VERA (w/ VSIP)
• Window to Accept Offer: Age 39 & under have until April 14, 2025. Age 40+ are being given 45 days to consider the offer, which (assuming the Saturday April 5, 2025 announcement date) would make the end date Tuesday, May 20, 2025. Age 40+ also get 7 days after signing to revoke their decision if they change their mind.
• Separation Date: Must separate by September 30, 2025.
• Additional Notes: Employees who accept the deferred resignation offer can go on administrative leave on as early as April 28, 2025 and no later than June 2, 2025.

Department of the Treasury – Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (USDT OCC)

• Programs Offered: VERA (w/ VSIP)
• Window to Accept Offer: April 16-24, 2025
• Separation Date: Must separate by September 30, 2025.
• Additional Notes: Employees who accept the early out offer can leave between May 3 and September 30, 2025. Regardless of their official retirement date, they will be exempted from any RIF plans the agency may undertake though they must continue working (on-site) up until their official date of separation.

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)​

• Programs Offered: DRP 2.0 and VERA​
• Window to Accept Offer: By 5pm ET on April 30, 2025.​
• Separation Date: Must separate by September 30, 2025.
• Additional Notes: Employees who accept the deferred resignation offer can go on administrative leave on either July 1, 2025, or seven days after or 7 days after both employee and manager have signed off (if you’re 40 or older). For those who accepted the original DRP (through OPM) will need to reapply for DRP2.0. Those who opt in will not be subject to return-to-office requirements or layoffs under the RIF. Probationary employees are eligible to accept this offer. Those not eligible include; reemployed annuitants, part-time employees, and all positions that provide direct care to veterans or support direct-care positions (it’s a long list – check with Benefits Specialist to confirm).

General Services Administration (GSA)

• Programs Offered: DRP 2.0 & VERA (w/ VSIP)
• Window to Accept Offer: By April 18, 2025.
• Separation Date: Must separate by September 30, 2025.
• Additional Notes: All positions, including those already identified for RIF, are eligible to participate.

Small Business Administration (SBA)

• Programs Offered: DRP 2.0
• Window to Accept Offer: By April 7, 2025.
• Separation Date: Must separate by September 30, 2025.
• Additional Notes: All positions are eligible. Most employees will begin administrative leave by end of April, but no later than June 1, 2025.

Additional Info You Need to Know

Military Buyback: If I Take the DRP Offer, Can I Still Buy Back My Time?

Yes you can, but the timeline to do it is extremely tight. You must complete all your paperwork and have your service deposit fully paid before your separation date in order to receive credit for your military time. There’s no room for errors or delays, so act now if this applies to you.

To estimate the cost of your service deposit and get an estimate of what it might add to your pension, use our Military Buyback Calculator here: https://myfedbenefitshelp.com/benefits/military-time/ You can also request help with your buyback, though it is on a first-come first-served basis, so if you plan to do it, get the request in now.

For more information about early retirement or VERA, go here: https://myfedbenefitshelp.com/benefits/early-retirement/

To see if you’ve reached your MRA, estimate your FERS pension, use your VERA early out calculator: https://myfedbenefitshelp.com/calculators/vera-early-out-calculator/

Need Help?

Deciding whether to opt-in to the DRP or take the VERA can feel like a big step, but you don’t have to figure it out on your own. A Federal Benefits Specialist can help you understand your options, and if you decide to take this offer, they will help you take advantage of every benefit available to you as a federal employee.

If you need help, we’re here for you: https://myfedbenefitshelp.com/contact-us/find-a-benefits-specialist/