Published: November 10, 2025
Key points
- OPM received 20,344 new retirement applications in October, processed 8,751, and ended the month with 34,587 pending cases—the most since 2022. The monthly average processing time rose to 79 days.
- Analysts link the spike to the Deferred Resignation Program (DRP) and broader workforce reductions, which pulled forward retirements into the fall.
- Open Season starts today (Nov. 10–Dec. 8, 2025). Annuitants can change FEHB/PSHB plans online, by phone, or by mail.
- OPM says its new Online Retirement Application (ORA) and other digital tools are rolling out to reduce delays and expand interim pay so more retirees receive money within 30 days.
- The 40‑day government shutdown has complicated HR and payroll workflows across agencies; the Senate is now moving on a package to end it.
What happened in October—and why it matters
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) reported an unusually heavy October for retirements: 20,344 claims received, 8,751 processed, and a month‑end inventory of 34,587. OPM’s monthly average processing time climbed to 79 days (the fiscal‑year‑to‑date average also stands at 79 days). OPM’s steady‑state goal remains an inventory of 13,000 claims.
FedSmith’s review notes October is typically a quieter month for retirements, making this year’s surge an outlier and the highest backlog since 2022. That aligns with OPM’s own data trend: the fall spike pushed pending cases well above this summer’s inventory highs.
The drivers: DRP‑related exits, downsizing—and a tough operating environment
A major factor is the Deferred Resignation Program (DRP), which encouraged voluntary departures and created a wave of end‑of‑fiscal‑year retirements. Guidance and coverage this fall highlighted that employees with retirement dates between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, 2025 could still be covered under the DRP, helping explain why the pipeline stayed full after Sept. 30.
The surge also comes amid agency‑level downsizing and staff attrition, including cuts at OPM itself, which has planned to reduce headcount through voluntary departures and limited RIFs. Fewer hands to certify records and complete payroll audits can slow the flow of “healthy” applications. The Washington Post
Finally, the ongoing federal shutdown has strained HR and payroll operations across government—even as OPM’s core retirement adjudication functions continue. Over the weekend, the Senate moved to take the first steps on a package aimed at ending what is now a 40‑day funding lapse.
Processing times: what to expect
OPM’s table shows September’s monthly average processing time at 76 days, rising to 79 days in October—a reflection of volume and case complexity. Initial cases finished in under 60 days averaged 45.8 days, while those taking longer exceeded 97 days on average.
Modernization update: ORA, interim pay, and new self‑service tools
To cope with the wave and shrink wait times, OPM is rolling out the Online Retirement Application (ORA) to digitize the front end and connect with its digital file system and annuity calculator. The agency says it is expanding interim pay to get cash into retirees’ hands faster, setting a goal of paying roughly 80% within 30 days of receiving a complete application.
Separately, OPM announced new paperless options for retirees, including the ability to download 1099‑R tax forms without logging into Services Online and a public page to check current processing times—part of its broader effort to increase transparency during the transition to a fully digital process.
Open Season starts today: how annuitants can act now
Open Season for 2025 runs November 10 through December 8, 2025. Federal retirees and annuitants can review plan brochures and change health, dental, and vision coverage via:
- Open Season Online (retirees/annuitants portal)
- Open Season Express by phone at 1‑800‑332‑9798
- Mail, postmarked by Dec. 8, to OPM’s Open Season Processing Center in Lawrence, Kansas (address provided on OPM’s site)
Tip: If your retirement claim isn’t fully adjudicated yet, you can still participate in Open Season using the channels above; keep confirmation copies and monitor OPM’s published processing‑time updates.
What today’s numbers mean if you’re filing—or recently retired
- Build a “healthy” case. Incomplete forms (missing signatures, divorce decrees, deposits/redeposits, etc.) are a leading cause of delays. Use OPM’s application tips and ORA checklists to cut rework. U.S. Office of Personnel Management
- Expect interim pay. OPM aims to expand interim payments so most retirees receive funds within 30 days while final calculations are completed. Watch your case progress and keep records for any “true‑up.” U.S. Office of Personnel Management
- Track the queue. Bookmark OPM’s processing‑time page and monthly retirement statistics to set expectations—and to time follow‑ups with HR or OPM.
- Plan Open Season decisions now. With premiums and plan offerings changing, use OPM’s Open Season resources to avoid last‑minute bottlenecks.
The outlook
Two things to watch in the coming weeks:
- Shutdown resolution. If Congress finalizes a deal, the return of furloughed HR and payroll staff should help agencies certify records faster, improving the flow of complete retirement packages to OPM.
- November claims. OPM’s next monthly update will reveal whether October’s surge was a one‑off—or the front edge of a sustained fall wave driven by DRP‑timed exits. The agency’s modernization timetable and its ability to broaden interim pay coverage will be key indicators.
Sources
- OPM monthly retirement statistics and processing times (October 2025).
- FedSmith analysis of October’s spike and backlog context.
- OPM blog posts on ORA rollout and interim pay; modernization plans.
- OPM news release on new paperless tools for retirees.
- GovExec guidance on DRP timing and coverage window; workforce downsizing context.
- Reuters and Washington Post reporting on workforce reductions and resignation programs.
- Open Season dates and enrollment channels for annuitants.
- Federal News Network coverage of weekend Senate movement to end the shutdown.
Editor’s note: This article synthesizes OPM’s official data and public guidance with corroborating reporting to provide timely, actionable information for federal employees and retirees as of Nov. 10, 2025.
