SF 3106: Refund of FERS Retirement Deductions

What is SF 3106?

Standard Form 3106 asks the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to refund the retirement contributions withheld from your pay under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). It lists every period of your civilian and military service, says whether you've taken another federal job, and records how you want the money paid.

A refund has lasting effects, so read the instructions first. If you weren't employed under FERS on or after October 28, 2009, the refund permanently forfeits the retirement rights for the service it covers. If you were, that service can still count toward eligibility, but not toward the amount of your annuity unless you're reemployed and redeposit the refund with interest. Your current spouse, and some former spouses, must also be notified on SF 3106A, which is part of the package.

FileIt pre-fills your name, date of birth and email from your vault, fills in the service table, your rollover and direct deposit choices, and prints your name, date of birth and SSN on the SF 3106A and the institution certifications too. Everything goes onto OPM's own PDF, Revised September 2013, and the finished form is saved in your vault folder.

Who files: A former FERS employee who has separated, or will soon, and isn't reemployed within 31 days.
Refunds under $200: Can't be rolled over: OPM pays them by direct deposit.
Partial rollovers: At least $500 must go to any one organization.
Spouse notice: SF 3106A, signed by each current or qualifying former spouse before two witnesses.
Edition: SF 3106, Revised September 2013 (OMB 3206-0170)

Who needs to fill out SF 3106?

Former federal employees under FERS who want their retirement contributions refunded.
People leaving government who would rather roll the money into an IRA, an employer plan or the TSP.
Former employees whose service is too short for a FERS annuity they'd want to wait for.

When to use SF 3106

After you separate from federal service, or shortly before.
When you're sure you won't be reemployed under FERS or CSRS within 31 days of separating.
Once you've weighed the refund against a deferred annuity, using the instructions in the package.

What you need before you start

Your name, date of birth, SSN, address and phone number, and any other names you've used.
Each period of federal civilian and military service: agency, location, title, dates, and whether deductions were withheld or a deposit paid.
Your current spouse's name and any former spouses' names with marriage and divorce dates.
Your bank's routing and account numbers (or a cancelled check), and your IRA or plan's name if you're rolling over.

What’s on SF 3106

The 2013 edition has 9 pages. FileIt asks for it in 6 parts, and it is signed by Applicant:

Items 1-5. About youApplicant
Item 6. Your civilian and military serviceApplicant
Items 7-12. Reemployment and marital historyApplicant
Item 13. How you want your refund paidApplicant
Direct deposit detailsApplicant
SF 3106A: a spouse you couldn't notifyApplicant

How to fill out SF 3106, step by step

1 Items 1 to 5

Your name, date of birth, SSN, other names, address, phone and email.

2 Item 6: Service history

Every period of civilian and military service, with location, payroll office number if known, title, dates, whether retirement deductions were withheld, and whether a deposit or redeposit was paid.

3 Items 7 to 12

Whether you've accepted further federal employment within 31 days (and if so, its details), and your marital history: a current spouse and former spouses with dates.

4 Item 13: How to pay the refund

For the taxable interest portion: a check to you with 20% withholding, a rollover to an IRA or employer plan, or the TSP. For the after-tax contributions: a check to you or a rollover. Or ask for a rollover package first.

5 Payment and direct deposit

Choose direct deposit, a Direct Express card, or a waiver, and give your bank's routing number, account number and address.

6 Item 14 and SF 3106A

Sign the applicant certification. Give SF 3106A to each spouse who must be notified, to sign before two witnesses, and attach it.

Common mistakes to avoid

Erasing or changing the address in item 5: OPM says it can't authorize payment if it is.
Applying when you'll be reemployed under FERS or CSRS within 31 days.
Forgetting the SF 3106A for your current spouse, or a qualifying former spouse.
Electing a rollover without the financial institution or plan completing its certification.
Choosing the TSP for the after-tax portion, which the TSP won't accept.
Leaving out military service or a period of civilian service.

After you fill it out

Sign item 14 and attach each signed and witnessed SF 3106A, any institution certification and Form TSP-60 for a TSP transfer.

If you separated 30 days ago or less, send it to the office where you last worked. After more than 30 days, send it to OPM at the address in the instructions.

Keep a copy. FileIt keeps the PDF in your vault folder.

Fill out SF 3106 online with FileIt

Pick the person. Choose someone from People and FileIt fills in their name, date of birth, address and other details it already knows.
Answer plain-language questions. One part of the form at a time, with the official help text beside each question — 78 fields in all. Your answers save as you go.
Check the live preview. Watch your answers land on the real U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) form, and let FileIt do any worksheet arithmetic.
Generate the official PDF. FileIt prints your answers into the agency’s own PDF and files it in that person’s folder in your vault. Sign it, or send it for e-signature.

FileIt fills the form — it never files or submits anything for you. Deliver the finished form to whoever asked for it, the way the form’s instructions say.

Start SF 3106 now — it’s free

SF 3106: frequently asked questions

Will I lose my retirement if I take a refund?

It depends on when you served. If you weren't under FERS on or after October 28, 2009, the refund permanently forfeits the rights for that service. If you were, the service still counts toward eligibility but not the annuity amount unless you're reemployed and redeposit with interest.

Can I roll the refund into my TSP account?

Only the taxable interest portion, and you must also sign and send Form TSP-60 to OPM. The TSP won't accept the after-tax contribution portion.

What if I can't reach my former spouse?

The form lets you give their last known address so OPM can try to notify them by certified mail, which delays the refund by 6 to 8 weeks, or ask OPM for a waiver with a court determination or notarized statements.

Do I need to notify a former spouse?

Only if you have at least 18 months of creditable civilian service and were married to them for at least 9 months. A current spouse must always be notified.

What if my refund is under $200?

It can't be rolled over. OPM pays it to you by direct deposit.

Official sources

Blank form (PDF), published by U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM): https://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf3106.pdf
Official instructions and guidance: https://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf3106.pdf
Edition shown on this page: Standard Form 3106, Revised September 2013 (OMB 3206-0170); previous editions are not usable (checked 2026-10-19).

FileIt is not affiliated with or endorsed by U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) or any government. This page explains the form in general terms and is not legal, tax or immigration advice. Always read the official instructions, and check that you are using the edition the recipient accepts. Page last reviewed 2026-10-19.