OPM Retirement Backlog Soars to 34,587 in October 2025—Highest Since 2022 as Claims Surge; What Federal Retirees Should Do as Open Season Begins
Published: November 10, 2025 Key points 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. U.S. Office of Personnel Management 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