🇺🇸 Federal Retirement Annuity Marketplace

The Only Marketplace Built for Federal Employees

FERS, CSRS, and TSP rollover guidance — with providers who actually understand federal retirement. No one else covers this blue ocean.

FERS Supplement Bridge TSP Rollover Strategies CSRS Annuity Pairing Federal Pension Optimization
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Why This Matters

Federal Retirement Is Uniquely Complex

FERS employees have three income legs: their pension, Social Security, and TSP. CSRS employees have a generous pension but no Social Security. Both groups face decisions most financial advisors have never seen before.

The FERS Supplement timing. TSP withdrawal sequencing. FERS annuity computation factors. CSRS offset rules. These aren't issues you can Google your way through — you need a specialist.

Most annuity providers have generic product pitches. A few have built specialized teams who work exclusively with federal employees. We've found them.

"RetireStack does not sell annuities and receives no commission on your purchase. We earn a referral fee for connecting you with a specialist — we disclose this because transparency is everything."

$350B+ Federal pension assets — the largest untapped annuity market
Source: OPM FY2025 Annual Report
2.9M Active federal employees eligible for FERS annuity decisions
0 Direct competitors serving federal employees in the annuity marketplace space
This is the blue ocean
Federal Retirement Systems

Which System Applies to You?

Understanding your retirement system is the foundation of every annuity decision.

🏛️

FERS

Federal Employees Retirement System (1987–present). Three-legged system: Basic Annuity + Social Security + TSP. Most federal workers hired after 1983 are under FERS.

→ FERS Supplement bridges gap to Social Security at 62
→ TSP rollover is a key annuity opportunity
→ MRA (Minimum Retirement Age) is 55–57 depending on birth year
→ Annuities best used to supplement — not replace — FERS pension
📜

CSRS

Civil Service Retirement System (pre-1984). Generous defined benefit pension — often 60–80% of high-3 salary. No Social Security. No TSP matching.

→ No Social Security creates longevity risk
→ Annuities diversify guaranteed income base
→ CSRS Offset involves some Social Security integration
→ Survivor benefit annuity election is critical
📊

TSP

Thrift Savings Plan — the federal government's 401(k) equivalent. Upon retirement, TSP can be kept, withdrawn, or rolled over to an IRA to purchase an annuity.

→ TSP-to-IRA rollover opens up private annuity market
→ TSP annuity option exists but offers limited flexibility
→ Rolling over gives access to higher rates and income riders
→ Timing the rollover relative to FERS supplement is key
Annuity Strategies

How Federal Employees Use Annuities

Four proven strategies used by federal retirees to maximize guaranteed income.

1

FERS Supplement Bridge

The FERS Supplement ends at age 62. If you retire at 56–58, you face a 4–6 year gap. A deferred income annuity funded by your TSP can fill this income gap, paying you guaranteed monthly income until Social Security kicks in.

Best for: FERS early retirees at MRA
2

TSP Rollover to Lifetime Income

Roll your TSP into an IRA, then purchase a fixed indexed annuity with a lifetime withdrawal benefit. This creates a second pension-like income stream on top of your FERS annuity — potentially 5–7% of rollover value per year, guaranteed for life.

Best for: FERS employees with large TSP balances
3

CSRS Longevity Hedge

CSRS retirees receive no Social Security. If you live past 85+, your fixed CSRS pension may feel thin vs. inflation. A deferred income annuity starting at 80+ (a "longevity annuity") provides catastrophic longevity protection at very low cost.

Best for: CSRS employees concerned about living long
4

Survivor Benefit Supplement

If you elect a reduced FERS survivor benefit to protect your spouse, a joint life annuity can supplement this income. It keeps your full FERS pension check while still providing your spouse income after your death.

Best for: Married FERS/CSRS employees
Recommended Providers

Federal Employee Specialists

Two providers stand out for their deep expertise in FERS, CSRS, and TSP rollover planning.

TIAA
★ A++ AM Best · Est. 1918

TIAA has served government and non-profit employees since 1918. Their specialists have decades of experience specifically with FERS, CSRS, and TSP rollovers — they know the rules better than most OPM employees.

✓ Purpose-built for government/non-profit employees
✓ TSP rollover specialists on staff
✓ Lifetime income options with competitive rates
✓ $0 minimum investment
✓ Non-profit mission alignment
View TIAA Profile →
MassMutual
★ A++ AM Best · Est. 1851

MassMutual's federal employee team handles FERS and CSRS planning as a specialty practice. As a mutual company, they have no outside shareholders — profits go back to policyholders in the form of dividends.

✓ Dedicated federal employee planning team
✓ Mutual company — no shareholder pressure
✓ Income annuity rates among highest in market
✓ 175-year track record of financial stability
✓ Strong survivor benefit product options
View MassMutual Profile →
View all 8 providers in the full marketplace →
TSP Rollover Guide

How to Roll Your TSP Into an Annuity

Rolling your TSP into an annuity is a 4-step process. Done correctly, it's tax-free, penalty-free, and creates guaranteed lifetime income from your federal savings.

1

Request a TSP Direct Rollover to a Traditional IRA (not Roth unless funds are already Roth)

2

IRA custodian receives funds within 60 days — no taxes withheld on direct rollover

3

Work with a specialist to purchase annuity inside IRA — funds transfer directly

4

Annuity begins income stream at your chosen age — guaranteed for life

Common Questions

Federal Retirement Annuity FAQ

Can federal employees roll their TSP into an annuity? ▼
Yes. FERS and CSRS employees can roll TSP funds into an IRA and then purchase an annuity. This is a common strategy to supplement FERS pension income with guaranteed lifetime income. A licensed specialist can help you time the rollover to avoid penalties and optimize your FERS Supplement timeline.
What is the FERS Supplement and how do annuities work with it? ▼
The FERS Special Retirement Supplement approximates the Social Security benefit you've earned while a federal employee. It stops at age 62 when you become eligible for actual Social Security. If you retire at MRA (55-57), this creates a potential gap between 62 and when you choose to start Social Security. A deferred income annuity funded by your TSP is one of the cleanest ways to fill that gap.
Should CSRS employees buy an annuity? ▼
CSRS employees receive a generous pension that often covers most expenses. However, CSRS employees are not eligible for Social Security, which means they have less income diversification. Many CSRS retirees use longevity annuities (deferred income starting at 80+) as inexpensive insurance against outliving their savings. Others use income annuities to protect a surviving spouse.
What's the difference between the TSP annuity option and a private annuity? ▼
TSP offers an annuity option through MetLife that converts your balance to income. It's simple but inflexible — once you choose a payout option, you're locked in. Private market annuities from companies like TIAA or MassMutual often offer higher rates, more payout options, inflation riders, death benefits for heirs, and income riders that grow your future payout even during deferral.
When is the best time to purchase an annuity as a federal employee? ▼
The answer depends on your retirement system and goals. For FERS employees, many purchase an annuity at retirement or 1–2 years before to lock in rates. Deferred income annuities work best when purchased 5–15 years before the income start date. The key is coordinating the annuity purchase with your FERS Supplement timeline and Social Security claiming strategy. A specialist can model multiple scenarios.

Ready for Your Federal Retirement Blueprint?

Tell us about your federal career and we'll connect you with licensed specialists who understand FERS, CSRS, and TSP rollovers — at no cost to you.