OPM Retirement Backlog at 8,814: The Case for Digital

The OPM retirement backlog fell to 8,814 claims at the end of September 2026, its lowest month-end level of fiscal year 2026, according to OPM's monthly processing report. The same report shows why: digital claims were processed in an average of 56 days in September, compared with 149 days for paper claims. For agency HR offices, the data makes a clear case for submitting retirement packages digitally whenever possible.

What OPM's September 2026 report shows

OPM publishes monthly retirement processing statistics covering claims received, claims processed, processing times and inventory. The September 2026 figures are:

OPM summarized the difference in its report: "The processing of digital cases is faster. With systematic checks of data, annuitants experience fewer delays due to missing information or incomplete packages."

How the OPM retirement backlog changed during fiscal year 2026

The September number is notable because of where the year started. Based on OPM's monthly report:

• October 2025: inventory of 34,587 claims.
• February 2026: inventory peaked at 65,237 claims, after OPM received 31,240 new claims that month.
• August 2026: inventory fell to 15,427.
• September 2026: inventory fell to 8,814.

The February spike came after the year-end retirement period, when OPM received more new claims than in any other month of the fiscal year. Agencies should plan for a similar rise in workload after this year's year-end retirements.

Digital share of new claims grew sharply

The mix of claims also changed. In October 2025, 6,176 of 20,344 claims received were digital, or about 30%. In September 2026, 6,746 of 8,080 were digital, or about 83%. (These percentages are our calculation from OPM's published counts.)

That shift matters because OPM reports consistently faster processing for digital cases across the year. Over fiscal year 2026, the average processing time for digital claims was 62 days, compared with 79 days for all claims.

A note on month-to-month variation

Processing times did not improve every month. OPM's report shows digital processing times of 96 days in June and 98 days in July 2026, before falling to 70 days in August and 56 days in September. Monthly averages can rise when OPM works through older cases, so HR offices should look at the trend rather than a single month.

Why digital applications are faster

OPM's Online Retirement Application (ORA) replaces the paper-based process with a secure digital system. According to OPM, ORA features include:

• Pre-filled applications using OPM data, such as service history, high-3 salary and sick leave balances.
• Real-time annuity estimates that update as benefit elections are made.
• Digital uploads of supporting documents, such as a marriage certificate or DD 214.
• A status tracker and dashboard for applicants.
• Shared visibility so the applicant, HR and payroll see the same application.
• A final readiness check to confirm the application is complete before submission.

For HR specialists and payroll providers, OPM lists bulk upload, pre-filled applications using EHRI and eOPF data, and real-time visibility into application status.

These features target the problems that slow paper cases: missing documents, inconsistent data and incomplete packages that must be returned to the agency.

What HR offices can do now

The year-end retirement season is approaching. These steps can help your agency's retirees get paid sooner.

1. Make sure the right staff have ORA access

OPM's Benefits Officers Center explains that HR specialists who need ORA access should contact their Agency Benefits Officer. Confirm now that every specialist who will process December and January retirements has access and training.

2. Start applications early

In ORA, the HR office initiates the application. OPM explains that the employee provides a personal email address, which must be linked to a Login.gov account, and then receives an invitation to complete the application. Building in time for this setup avoids delays close to the retirement date.

3. Use the built-in checks

OPM describes HR specialists' responsibilities in ORA as verifying retirement eligibility, ensuring information is complete and accurate, reviewing employee-uploaded documents and submitting applications for payroll review. Treat the readiness check as a required step, not an optional one.

4. Reduce paper submissions

Some agencies are still transitioning. OPM notes that it "is working towards a fully digital retirement application process" and is working with agencies and payroll offices to update legacy processes. If your agency still submits paper packages, identify what is preventing digital submission and raise it with your Agency Benefits Officer.

5. Review your accuracy data

OPM's Benefits Officers Center links to the Agency Retirement Case Accuracy Report, which shows the number of non-disability retirement packages reviewed and the error rate for agencies with at least 15 cases reviewed in a month. It is a useful benchmark for your team.

A year-end checklist for HR and payroll

December and January retirements will soon arrive. A short internal checklist helps keep packages complete:

• Confirm the employee's retirement date and retirement type early.
• Verify that service history is documented in the Official Personnel Folder, since OPM notes that undocumented service can add time.
• Review FEHB and FEGLI coverage that will continue into retirement.
• Confirm survivor benefit elections and any spousal consent requirements are addressed.
• Ask employees to upload supporting documents, such as marriage certificates or a DD 214, in ORA.
• Coordinate with payroll so final salary, leave and contribution information is ready.
• Run the ORA readiness check before submission.

Each item that is complete at submission is one less reason for OPM to return a package or ask for more information.

Setting expectations with retiring employees

Employees often ask how long it will take to receive their full annuity. OPM's FAQ on applying for retirement benefits states that common cases take around 60 days to process. OPM notes that cases can take longer if additional information is needed, if the claim involves disability, special provisions or a court order, or if OPM must contact another agency.

Employees should also know that once OPM receives the package, it will notify them and assign a claim number, which they can use when contacting OPM about status. Encourage employees to:

• Respond promptly to requests from HR, payroll or OPM.
• Keep copies of key documents, such as marriage certificates and military service records.
• Use their OPM claim number when contacting OPM about status.

Using the data with agency leaders

OPM's monthly figures are also useful when HR offices brief agency leaders. The difference between 56 days for digital claims and 149 days for paper claims is easy to understand and shows the practical value of investing in ORA training and payroll coordination. Leaders who see that nearly three months separate the two methods are more likely to support the staff time needed to move away from paper. HR offices can also track their own agency's results, such as the share of packages submitted digitally and the number returned for missing information, and report them alongside OPM's public data.

Helping employees prepare before they apply

A complete application starts with an employee who understands their benefits. Retirement education helps employees make elections on survivor benefits, health coverage and life insurance before they sit down with HR.

FEBA's agency briefings cover CSRS and FERS retirement, FEHB and FEGLI in retirement and Social Security coordination. Employees can explore our federal employee resources, and agencies that prefer a self-delivered option can use Seminars in a Box. To plan a pre-retirement session for your workforce, contact our team.

Questions

How large was the OPM retirement backlog in September 2026?

OPM reported an inventory of 8,814 retirement claims at the end of September 2026, down from 15,427 in August and a peak of 65,237 in February 2026.

How much faster are digital retirement applications?

In September 2026, OPM processed digital claims in an average of 56 days and paper claims in 149 days.

What is the Online Retirement Application (ORA)?

ORA is OPM's secure online system for submitting retirement application packages electronically. Agency HR offices initiate the application, and the employee, HR and payroll work in the same digital package.

How does an employee start an ORA application?

According to OPM, the employee's HR office initiates the application in ORA using the employee's personal email, which must be linked to a Login.gov account.

How long does OPM say retirement processing takes?

OPM's retirement FAQ says common cases take around 60 days to process, and cases can take longer when additional information, special provisions or court orders are involved.

Federal Employee Benefits Advocates is an independent educational organization. This article is not a government publication and is not official guidance from OPM or any federal agency.

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