FERS Definitions

Primary Duties  | Firefighter | Law Enforcement Officer | Detention Duties | Primary & Rigorous Positions | Secondary Positions | Crediting 3-Years Rigorous Service 

Primary Duties

Within the Code of Federal Regulations (5 CFR 842) special retirement rules and definitions are provided for FERS employees. As per 5 CFR 842.802 primary duties are defined as duties that:

  • are paramount in influence or weight; that is, constitute the basic reasons for the existence of the position;
      
  • occupy a substantial portion of the individual's working time over a typical work cycle; and
      
  • are assigned on a regular and recurring basis.

Duties that are of an emergency, incidental, or temporary nature cannot be considered "primary" even if they meet the substantial portion of time criterion.

In general, if an employee spends an average of at least 50 percent of the time performing a duty or group of duties, they are deemed to be the primary duties.

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Revised 05/03/2002

 

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