FERS September 2026 Payment: When Federal Retirees Will Get Their Annuity

Federal retirees covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) are scheduled to receive their next regular annuity payment on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.

That payment covers the annuity earned for August 2026, not September. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) generally pays retirement annuities on the first business day of the month after the benefit is earned. Since September 1 is a Tuesday and not a federal holiday, the normal payment schedule applies.
 

September 2026 FERS payment dates

Most FERS retirees receive their pension through direct deposit. While OPM schedules the payment for September 1, the time it appears in your bank account can vary by bank or credit union.

The October 2026 annuity payment moves to Monday, November 2 because November 1 falls on a Sunday. The December 2026 annuity payment is scheduled for Monday, January 4, 2027, because New Year’s Day is a federal holiday and is followed by a weekend.
 

How the FERS schedule works

OPM pays regular federal retirement annuities after the month the benefit is earned. For example, the September 1 deposit pays the annuity for August.

This differs from some other federal benefits that are issued during the benefit month. When the first day of a month falls on a weekend or federal holiday, OPM generally adjusts the payment to the next available business day.
 

What to do if your payment is missing

If your September 1 payment does not appear, contact your bank or credit union first. OPM advises retirees to check with their financial institution because a direct deposit could be pending or still processing.

If the bank cannot find the deposit, use OPM’s Report a Missing Payment feature or call OPM Retirement Services at 1-888-767-6738.

You can update direct-deposit details, review annuity statements, change tax withholding and manage some financial allotments through OPM Services Online.
 

Important reminder

The September 1 payment schedule applies to established FERS annuitants who already receive regular monthly retirement benefits. New retirees whose claims are still being processed may receive interim annuity payments on a different schedule, and those payments may initially be lower than the final monthly annuity.

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