OPM retirement backlog and processing times
See the latest OPM backlog and averages.
- Immediate-retirement average
- 109 days
- Total claims inventory
- 24,784
- Rule snapshot
- Reviewed
- Primary sources
- OPM processing page and monthly claims PDF
- Data month
- Jul 2026
Choose a published case type to place its current OPM average on your timeline.
Jul 2026 at a glance
- Claims received
- 10,538
- Claims processed
- 17,841
- Digital inventory
- 19,888
- Paper cases received
- 2,138
OPM processed more claims than it received in July, and total inventory fell from 33,851 in June to 24,784. Processing time remained an average across completed cases, not a service deadline.
FY 2026 monthly claims history
Every row comes from OPM’s current monthly processing PDF.
| Month | Received | Processed | Average days | Digital days | Inventory |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 20,344 | 8,751 | 79 | 45 | 34,587 |
| Nov 2025 | 23,393 | 8,707 | 66 | 38 | 48,396 |
| Dec 2025 | 13,174 | 9,428 | 67 | 40 | 50,566 |
| Jan 2026 | 18,923 | 15,571 | 77 | 48 | 54,018 |
| Feb 2026 | 31,240 | 18,149 | 71 | 34 | 65,237 |
| Mar 2026 | 14,759 | 22,237 | 60 | 39 | 55,681 |
| Apr 2026 | 11,940 | 17,175 | 78 | 50 | 49,888 |
| May 2026 | 11,286 | 19,433 | 87 | 66 | 38,547 |
| Jun 2026 | 8,663 | 12,751 | 108 | 96 | 33,851 |
| Jul 2026 | 10,538 | 17,841 | 109 | 98 | 24,784 |
On small screens, scroll the table horizontally.
How to use the average
Confirm receipt
Use OPM’s complete-package receipt date. Agency preparation time occurs earlier.
Read the case type
Deferred and postponed applications are excluded from OPM’s immediate-retirement average.
Treat it as a marker
Use the date for planning only and follow claim-specific OPM correspondence.
Planning retirement dates? Compare federal retirement dates separately.
OPM processing FAQ
What is the current OPM retirement backlog?
OPM reported 24,784 total claims in inventory for July 2026. The monthly report calls this total inventory; it is not a promise about any one claim.
How long did OPM retirement processing take?
For cases processed in July 2026, OPM reported a 109-day average for immediate retirements. Digital cases averaged 98 days, while the report’s paper-case note said 156 days.
When does the OPM clock start?
For the case types on this page, OPM describes processing as starting when it receives the complete application package. Your agency’s preparation and payroll-transfer time can occur before that point.
Why might my case take longer than the average?
OPM names court orders, special computations, workers’ compensation, missing documentation, and deferred or postponed applications as examples that may take longer.
Can this page check my personal claim status?
No. It uses aggregate OPM reports only. Use OPM’s official support channels and any claim-specific correspondence for your case.