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OPM.gov / Frequently Asked Questions / Retire FAQ / Post-Retirement
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Post-Retirement

Questions and answers

'Earned Income' means:

  • Any salary or pay you received working for someone else (including overtime, vacation pay, bonuses, and severance pay, etc.);
  • If you are self-employed, any self-employment net earnings made from working or managing your own business;
  • Deferred income (income you earned but didn’t receive during this calendar year); and
  • If you are re-employed in Federal service, the gross income before your employing agency offsets your salary.

Generally, all income subject to Federal Employment taxes or self-employment net profit is considered earned income. Work wages are on any W-2 statement issued by an employer.

DO NOT INCLUDE MONEY EARNED BEFORE RETIREMENT.

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