Department of the Interior DRP 2026 – Full Details, Deadlines & What Deferred Resignation Means for Federal Employees

April 2, 2026

Department of the Interior Launches DRP3.0 – Here’s What You Need to Know

The Department of the Interior has officially launched a new round of its Deferred Resignation Program (DRP) for 2026, alongside early retirement options (VERA).

This program gives eligible employees the opportunity to voluntarily leave federal service while continuing to receive pay and benefits for a defined period. Like prior DRP programs, it is designed to reduce the federal workforce voluntarily before any potential Reduction in Force (RIF) actions are considered.

However, unlike the 2025 program, this version is more targeted, shorter in duration, and specific to individual agencies rather than government-wide. While the Interior is the first to make their DRP annoucement, it will most certainly not be the last.

Below is a clear breakdown of what’s being offered, key deadlines, and what you should consider before making a decision.

Key Details of the Offer

What Is Being Offered:

• Voluntary Resignation with Deferred Separation – Eligible employees can submit their resignation, with separation occurring after a short administrative leave period.
• Continued Pay & Benefits – Employees who opt in will continue receiving full salary and benefits during the administrative leave period, including retirement accrual.
• Administrative Leave (No Work Requirement) – In most cases, employees will be placed on administrative leave shortly after accepting the offer and will not be required to continue working.
• Shorter Timeline Than 2025 Program – Unlike the prior DRP (which extended to September 30), this version provides a significantly shorter paid transition period.

Key Deadlines:

• April 2, 2026: Program announced / opens
• April 12, 2026: Deadline to accept the offer
• April 29, 2026 (approx.): Employees transition to administrative leave

Separation Timeline:

• Employees who accept the offer will:
  • Transition off active duty by late April
  • Enter administrative leave status
  • Separate from federal service after the defined leave period

The exact duration of paid leave has not been fully standardized but is expected to be significantly shorter than the 2025 program.

Eligibility:

Eligibility has not been fully published in detail, but based on current guidance and prior DRP programs:

Likely Eligible:

• Full-time federal employees within the Department of the Interior

Likely Not Eligible:

• Mission-critical roles
• Law enforcement / emergency personnel
• Certain specialized or essential positions

VERA (Early Out) Option

Alongside DRP, Interior is also offering Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA):

• Age 50 with 20 years of service, OR
• Any age with 25 years of service

Employees who accept DRP may also:

• Retire during the administrative leave period (if eligible)

To see if you qualify for VERA and estimate your FERS pension with the offer, use the VERA Early Out calculator here: https://myfedbenefitshelp.com/calculators/vera-early-out-calculator/

Important Considerations

Before accepting the offer, there are several key factors to evaluate:

• You are permanently separating from federal service
• The timeline is compressed – limited time to plan
• The financial impact varies significantly by individual
• This may be offered before more aggressive workforce reductions (RIFs)

While the offer may look attractive, it is not automatically the right decision for everyone.

Military Buyback & Retirement Timing

If you are planning to:

• Complete a military buyback, OR
• Qualify for retirement during this period

Timing becomes critical.

You must:

• Complete any service deposits before your separation date
• Ensure eligibility requirements are fully met before leaving service

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/

10 days to decide is not a lot of time… but don’t rush this without fully understanding your options.

If you’re even considering taking this offer, it’s highly recommended that you speak with a qualified Benefits Specialist before making a final decision. The impact of this decision can vary significantly depending on your age, years of service, retirement eligibility, and overall financial situation. What may look like a straightforward opportunity on the surface can have long-term consequences – both positive and negative – depending on how and when you leave federal service.

A Benefits Specialist can help you evaluate your specific situation, estimate your pension, and determine whether accepting this offer actually puts you in a better position, or if waiting may be the better option. You can find a Benefits Specialist in your area here: https://myfedbenefitshelp.com/contact-us/find-a-benefits-specialist/