1. Claim from the individual. 

A signed and dated letter or statement from the individual stating what he or she is claiming must be included in the claim. It is particularly important to show which service the individual feels meets the primary coverage, and which service meets the secondary coverage requirements. Also explain why the claim was not filed: (1) for CSRS, sooner than the last 12 months; or (2) for FERS, within six months of accepting a non-covered position. [This is Mandatory!] 

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2. Copy of SF-171. 

Submit a copy (or copies) of signed and dated SF-171's, Employment Application, from Official Personnel File (OPF) which includes the work periods being claimed. We are not asking for new or updated SF-171's, but copies of old ones that were in the OPF. Resumes and the OF-612 normally do not contain the same information contained in the SF-171, and do not provide additional value to a claim package. 

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3. Personnel actions. 

Legible copies of SF-50's, Notification of Personnel Action, MUST be provided for the periods of service for which special retirement coverage is claimed. All personnel actions should be included. These are available in the current servicing personnel office, in the OPF. 

If you are no longer a Federal employee, you can request copies of the SF-50's from the Federal Records Center (include your official name, date of birth, and Social Security number): 

The claimant must keep updating the information in their claim package with address changes and SF-50's (for any position changes) until a decision letter is issued.  

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4. Supporting documentation. 

1. If claiming "primary" Firefighter coverage, documentation must support "control and extinguishment of fires" (CSRS and FERS) or "maintenance and use of firefighting apparatus and equipment" (CSRS only). 

• Must clearly show that firefighting duties were the "primary purpose" of the job, on a regular and recurring basis. 
  
• Should be able to list fires worked each year, number of days on the fire, position held on the fire. 
  
• Provide evidence of hazard duty pay.
  
• Need to show any physical fitness requirements.
  
• List related training, include copies of training authorizations (or certificates), if available.
  
• If maintenance and use of equipment are a part of the claim, must show fire-line assignments and how equipment was used.
  
• Copy of current red card.

2. If claiming "primary" Law Enforcement Officer coverage, documentation must support "investigation, apprehension, or detention of individuals suspected or convicted of offenses against the criminal laws of the U.S." (CSRS and FERS), or "the protection of officials of the U.S. against threats to personal safety" (FERS only). These duties were so rigorous that special physical standards were in place. 

• Provide evidence of Law Enforcement authority, for example, receipt of Law Enforcement Commission, etc.
    
• Must clearly show that LEO was the "primary purpose" of the job on a regular and recurring basis.
    
• List the Federal criminal law enforced 
  
• Summary of arrests and citations - reasonable estimated number by year 
  
• Requirement to carry a firearm 
    
• Need to show any physical fitness requirements
    
• List of training
  

3. If claiming "secondary" Firefighter or Law Enforcement Officer coverage, documentation must support "secondary supervisory" (first-line supervisor of firefighters or law enforcement officers), OR "secondary administrative," for which experience as a "primary" firefighter or law enforcement officer is a prerequisite. 

• List all employees you supervised and show how many were firefighters and/or law enforcement officers. 
  
• Show what prior "primary" experience was required and how it was needed to do the job. 
  
• Show that you are in an organization with a firefighting or law enforcement mission. 
  
• Other information to support a claim.
  
• Past performance appraisals.
  
• Copies of the vacancy announcement and KSA's.
  
• Evidence of "on-call" status, irregular tours.

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5. Duties claimed. 

For each position for which coverage is claimed the following data should be provided: 

Position Description. Each personnel action has a position number on it. As changes occur in positions, the position number changes. A copy of each position description with the position number should be included and/or statement of duties. If a position description is not available, or does not fully describe duties performed, a statement of duties should be included which describes the major duties performed, with percentages. For law enforcement, include what types of law enforcement duties were performed and what laws were enforced. 

If the claimant feels that the position description does not properly describe the major duties actually performed, it is important to provide a description of duties and qualifications. 

It is extremely important that percentages of time are shown on position descriptions and duty statements. 

Supervisor's Statement. To substantiate the individual's claim of work performed, the individual should have the supervisor or manager, for the time period claimed, provide either a written statement, or sign in agreement on the individual's statement. 

The supervisor should include their name, title, and what their role was in relation to the individual, i.e., first level supervisor, second level supervisor, or manager. If claiming law enforcement officer coverage, the supervisory statement should include what types of law enforcement the individual performed, such as investigation, apprehension and/or detention. Also, they need to provide a current telephone number and address where they can be reached. 

Organization Chart.  A chart should be provided showing three levels above and below, if applicable, to the position claimed. Also, ALL other firefighter and law enforcement positions within the organization should be included on the organization chart. 

Function Statement. Such statements should show that the position is in an organization which clearly has firefighting or law enforcement officer functions. 

An individual claim for special retirement coverage will not be approved, unless all regulatory requirements (CSRS - 5 USC 8336(c) and FERS - 5 USC 8412(d)) are met. Each individual claim package stands on its own merits, and is subject to audit by the Department of the Interior and the Office of Personnel Management. 

Submit your claim to: 

Note: Be sure to keep copies of all of your claim materials that you send forward.

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Revised 06/05/2002

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