Online Retirement Application (ORA)

The federal retirement experience, modernized

The Online Retirement Application (ORA) is transforming the federal retirement experience by improving the speed, accuracy, and transparency of the retirement process. It is a secure, fully-digital system that replaces the paper-based process, reduces errors, and keeps everyone on the same page.

Key Features

ORA combines modern design with practical tools that improve accuracy, save time, and create a more seamless experience for applicants, HR specialists, and payroll providers.

• Pre-filled applications with OPM data: key records like service history, high-3 salary, and sick leave balances are already included, reducing manual entry.
• Real-time annuity estimate: see projected annuity updates instantly as benefit elections are made.
• Digital uploads: attach supporting documents like a marriage certificate or a DD 214 directly to your package.
• Status tracker and dashboard: track your progress, see what is completed, and know what still needs your attention using your dashboard.
• Seamless collaboration: applicant, HR, and payroll providers share the same view of the application, reducing error and improving coordination.
• Final readiness check: built-in-tools confirm applications are complete, reducing rework, and helping retirees receive their annuity payments more quickly.

Getting Started with ORA

• Contact your HR office: when you are ready to retire, your HR office will initiate your application in ORA.
• Provide your personal email: this email address will need to be linked to your Login.gov account so you can complete your application in ORA. After retirement, you can use the same Login.gov account to access Services Online, where you can view your annuity information, update your account, and manage your retirement benefits.
• Check your inbox: after your HR office initiates your account using your provided personal email address, you will receive an email invitation with instructions for accessing ORA.
• Log in securely: using your Login.gov account to access ORA. The system will prompt you to link your account and create your digital signature PIN, which you will use to certify your retirement application.
• Prepare your retirement package: now that you have access to ORA, you can begin completing your retirement application and upload PDF versions of your supplemental documents. For additional guidance on preparing your retirement application, please visit the Application Tips and Retirement Quick Guide.

HR Specialist and Payroll Features

OPM aims to streamline the retirement process for HR Specialists and Payroll Providers by building the functionality you need: 

• Bulk upload applications
• Pre-filled applications using EHRI and eOPF data
• Real-time visibility into the status of applications
• Flexibility to help applicants complete their retirement application
• A single, transparent view of an application

If you are an HR specialist and need access to ORA, please contact your Agency Benefits Officer.

If you are a payroll provider and need access to ORA, please contact your supervisor.

ORA Help

The ORA platform has a dedicated Help page that contains useful information and instructional videos for navigating ORA.